Beowulf #7

1. "his Geat forces drove forward to destroy the camp" pg. 199 (2959-2961) Bad king. Hygelac tries to be a good king by destroying his enemy (the Swedes) what he doesn't know is that this move will eventually bite him in the ass and destroy his clan (the Geats). Beowulf dies, its the Swedes time for revenge and wergild for what Hygelac did to them. Good king vs. Bad king.

2. So this bad blood...Beowulf is dead. pg. 201-203 (2999-3003) This is an example of wergild. Now that Beowulf is gone a tragic future awaits the Geats.

3. He worked for...like a hero. pg. 203 (3006-3007) Beowulf possesses the qualities of a hero. He sacrifices his life to kill the dragon. His bravery gets him down there, while his determination makes it so he doesn't turn around and run. You see gallantry after Wiglaf gives his speech. He is also loyal and has fortitude.

4. "Often when one man follows his own will many are hurt." pg. 207 (3077-3078) Wiglaf here is suggesting that perhaps Beowulf acted foolishly and wrongly as a king. For his actions of always wanting victory and pride, has made it so all the Geats will suffer.

5. I managed to enter...under the earthwall. pg. 207 (3088-3090) God lets Wiglaf pass. Perhaps Wiglaf will be the next great warrior and king. Previously its said that Wiglaf was hand picked out to help the great king, he then sticks by Beowulf's side and proves himself in battle...just as Beowulf had to do for himself. After the death of the king you then see Wiglaf giving orders...just as a king would do. If you look at the qualities I put above for a hero, you'll see that Wiglaf possesses all of these as well.

6. "Now shall flame consume our leader in battle" pg. 209 (3115-3116) This is ironic because Beowulf will be burned for his funeral just as his death happened from a fire breathing dragon.

Beowulf #6

1. The intruder...treasure would be brief. pg.151-153 (2221-2241) This is the last part of the poem where we encounter the dragon. You can clearly see from these lines what the tone of this section will be. Immediately you see that it is going to be one of death and doom. In one line it says that: he foresaw that his joy in the treasure would be brief. The man who buries the treasure is acting as if this is a terrible and depressing thing to do, like perhaps if he was burying someone who had just died.

2. Pillage and slaughter...up in his heart. pg. 155 (2265-2270) This would be a foreshadow to the end of the Geats and a parallel to what happens to Beowulf's end. It shows that the "earth will be emptied of the entire peoples" meaning Beowulf will meet his end. The Geats will then mourn and move around as if they are alone, meaning that they won't have their king. Thus, without their great leader to protect them..their days will come to an end.

3. The intruder...treasure would be brief. pg 151-153 (2221-2241) This sets up the idea that treasure itself has no value, it's the people who give it value. In the beginning treasure is looked as a great thing, resembling honor, pride, value, people give it this value after being victorious...then here you see that treasure is looked at as something more like evil, greed, theft, or death, as this lone survivor is burying it because he believes it to be of no use to anyone because him, like his ancestors, are all destined to die.

4. And so the son...face with the dragon. pg. 163 (2397-2400) This fits the theme of fate. Perhaps it was Beowulf's time to die, and the dragon does this deed for him. Every legendary warrior's life must come to an end. It is Beowulf's time. He has done so many remarkable things, killed Grendel, killed Grendel's mother, kept peace for 50 years. Beowulf is old now, his life is coming to an end, and he predicts this himself.

5. For the eldest...of his own brother. Idea of kin-killing. Hygelac becomes king because he killed his own brother. Hrethel is then so stunned and ashamed that his own so killed his own sibling that he dies of grief. He gave up the will to live. This ties back to the Finnsburg episode again when the Danish princesses son and brother are both on opposite sides fighting against one another. They both die because of this, you could consider this kin-killing as well. This then puts her in an emotional state, just not quite to her death-bed.

Beowulf #5

1. The building was...face of the earth. pg. 131-133 (1925-1957) The role of women. Once again, women are supposed to be peace-keepers. In this part the poet compares two different queens. The good (Hygd) and the bad (Modthryth). Hygd is shown as behaving properly and performing her duty as a women, while Modthryth isn't quite fulfilling her role. Modthryth is a wicked queen who actually kills people if they look her in the eye! In one part it states that a queen should weave peace, not punish the innocent. This is contrasting the two queens.

2. Think how the Heathobards...with the Danes. pg. 139-141 (2031-2068) Right here is Beowulf's prediction about how Freawaru won't work as a peace-pledge this time. This ties back to what happened in the Finnsburg episode, where the marriage-tie was quickly violated and the bride returned back to her kinsman. Beowulf predicts that this will happen once again.

3. I therefore suspect...alliance with the Danes. pg.141 (2067-2069) This would be a good example of a litote. Beowulf is using irony to say that the good faith Heathobards will keep there trustworthy alliance with the Danes. When he actually knows that it won't happen because the Heathobards are going to want wergild.

4. Then an old spearman...on that final day? pg. 139 (2041-2050) This fits into the role of women, but also ties with treasure. Normally treasure is something great to receive from the more noble for doing a heroic act. For example, Wealhtheow gives Beowulf some swords and a necklace that contain a lot of memorable significance. Well, treasure in this instance according to Beowulf is going to revive some bad memories and thus going to end up starting a huge feud. This also shows how a woman is regarded as much less worth than treasure and won't be able to fulfil the role of peace-keeping.

5. He had been poorly regarded...him in the mead-hall. pg. 149 (2183-2186) This tells you that Beowulf use to be very undervalued. Although this does seem odd considering how Beowulf bragged to Unferth about how his swimming contest with Breca during previous days. This is an important step for Beowulf. He is stepping up from a warrior to a ruler. Perhaps this advancement is because of his anger and rage from being regarded as of little worth to the Geats.

Literary Terms

Complication - something that introduces, usually unexpectedly, some difficulty, problem, change, ect.

Example: Romeo and Juliet. When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time he declares, "I never saw true beauty till tonight." The complication is that his family, the Montagues, have been feuding with Juliet's family for as long as anyone can remember.

Controlling metaphors - a symbolic story, where the whole poem may be a metaphor for something else.

Example:
Mary is a violet in autumn.
She bloomed too late,
purpling in the declining day.
Even now she opens brightly
as the red-leaved air
sharpens with frost.

Mary's autumnal violetness is the controlling metaphor for this little stanza.

Beowulf #4

1. There was an uproar...Grendel's bloodied hand. pg. 91 (1302-1304) This fits into the theme of warrior culture. Grendel's mothers attack on Heorot is appropriate and honorable, for the most part, by the code of warrior culture. All she wants to do is avenge her son's death.

2. Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke:...be the man I expect you to be. pg. 97 (1383-1396) Paganism vs. Christianity. Throughout almost all of the poem the author uses only Christian views. Then this little speech from Beowulf shows you that perhaps Beowulf and the author is not only pro Christian, but also very pagan. It's like their tied between the two religions. It shows you that perhaps the author's pagan past just had an outburst right here. He pretty much says that you should die before your natural death by fighting for glory. He says nothing about praying for help from the gods, instead he says be a man and fight till you die.

3. It was a sore blow...Aeschere's head at the foot of the cliff. pg. 99 (1417-1421) This is important in the use of trophies. Grendel's mother posts Aeshere's head at the foot of the cliff..while the Danes hang Grendel's arm from the rafters. They keep going back and forth between who can have the greater trophies. It goes from the arm, to Hrothgar's "dearest warrior" and chief advisor, to Grendel's head to prove that he is actually dead. This is also important because to Beowulf the arm wasn't a "great trophy" because technically Grendel himself ripped it off by struggling to get away, possibly hinting that he wasn't dead. So, to boost Beowulf's pride and ego he has to prove that Grendel is actually dead by bringing home the greatest trophy.

4. With Hrunting I shall gain glory or die. pg. 103 (1491) Beowulf doesn't kill Grendel's mother with hrunting, so technically he should die. The hrunting, isn't strong enough to pierce Grendel's mother's skin, so Beowulf has to use a magical sword made by the giants. This foreshadow's Beowulf's eventual death.

5. Droves of sea-beasts...in a ghastly onslaught. pg. 105 (1510-1512) This is important because this is how Beowulf's men were to Grendal..useless. These sea-beasts of Grendel's mothers aren't able to hurt him just as Beowulf's warriors weren't able to hurt Grendel.

6. Yet the water did...because the hall-roofing held off the force of the current. pg. 105 (1514-1516) Could this be a parallel to Heorot? Because the author says that the framework and roof were the only things held firm in Heorot after Grendel made his attacks. And in this instance he is saying that the hall-roofing is holding off the force of the current.

7. You are strong...as their king and defender than you. pg. 127 (1844-1852) This would be a foreshadow to Beowulf becoming king. Hrothgar is saying how Beowulf is fit to be king of the Geats, and that the Geats won't find a man worthier than him.

Beowulf #3

1. After his death Gigemund...the guardian of the hoard. pg. 59 (884-887) Hrothgar's minstrel sings. He sings about Sigemund who dies from slaying a dragon. This song parallels and foreshadows Beowulf later slaying a dragon.

2. Sigemund's name...but evil entered into Heremod. pg. 61 (897-914) This is where the scop sings about King Heremod and contrasts him with Beowulf. This is perhaps a foreshadow because contrasting Beowulf with a king tells us that later Beowulf will become a king.

3. At their head they placed...they were a right people. pg. 88-89 (1242-1250) This tells you a lot about Beowulf's warriors. They are always prepared and ready for battle. It fits into the theme of qualitites of warrior tradition. The Beowulf poet praises the Geat's for being so great. "It was their habit always and everywhere to be ready for action at home or in the camp."

4. ring-giver. pg. 75 (1101) This would be an example of a kenning. Meaning a king being one who rewards his warriors with rings.

5. Hildeburh had little cause...on the battlefield. pg. 71 (1070-1072) Role of women. Hildeburh, a Danish princess married to the Frisian King Finn is acting as a peace pledge between the two. She looses a son on one side and a brother on the other. She is used to form a connection between the groups without having a say in anything.

Beowulf #2

1. I have heard moreover that the monster scorns...fight with the fiend. pg. 31 (433-440) This here would be an example of an epic boast coming from Beowulf. He goes on to say that because Grendel scorns weapons, he will show respect and pride by he himself fighting with his bare hands. I don't know if this is right..but would Beowulf's boasting be an example of parallelism because when he does this before a battle it seems to determine his fate in the battle. At the end of the story does Beowulf know that he is going to die when he faces the dragon?

2. So the Helming woman went on her rounds...it was Beowulf's turn to take it from her hand. pg. 43 (620-624) This fits into the theme of the role of women. Wealhtheow is here to provide comfort and be a good host. Her main obligation is to be hospitable. Her job is to make sure all the men, no matter their rank, have a drink. It also seems that another one of her obligations is to be dressed in the finest attire at all times.

3. His father before him was called...here to follow up an old friendship. pg. 27 (373-376) This here would be an example of wergild. You can see that Beowulf comes to fight off Grendel because he wants to up his reputation, but perhaps he really comes because he has an obligation to fulfill. Beowulf has to discharge his debt to Hrothgar.

4. And the troops themselves were as good as their weapons. pg. 23 (330-331) Could this perhaps be a foreshadow. Because against the fight with Grendel the troops try to help Beowulf by using their weapons to cut into Grendel, but it doesn't do anything. In the end it is only Beowulf who defeats the demon by himself, using his bare hands.

5. The coast-guard answered...and bear this hero back to Geatland. pg. 21 (287-298) This fits into the theme of hospitality. It is important because the Danes are showing trust in the Geats even though they don't know that what the Geats speak is the truth. They show honor and their respect by watching their boat and keeping it safe.

Beowulf #1

1. whale-road pg. 3 (10) Whale-road is a kenning because it is a compound metaphor replacing the word ocean or sea for whale-road.

2. His warrior band did what he bade them...and mourning their loss. pg. 5 (28-50) This fits into the theme of burial of a king and also the relationship between leaders and their warriors. The warriors show their respect and honor towards their king by giving him a proper burial and by loading treasure upon him. Thus, showing their gratitude toward their king.

3. His warrior band did what he bade them...and mourning their loss. pg. 5 (28-50) This could also be seen as a foreshadow to Beowulf's funeral. Beowulf was an honorable king whom was beloved by his warriors. This type of funeral could foretell what lays ahead for Beowulf.

4. The hall towered, its gables wide and high...unleashed among in-laws, the blood-lust rampant. pg. 7 (81-85) This is a foreshadow that Heorot Hall is going to be burned down by kin-killing during one big blood feud.

5. Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed...deep in their hearts they remembered hell. pg. 13 (175-180) This is important because it is showing you how the Danes aren't seeking God for help and therefore they aren't able to get rid of Grendel. Showing you that they most definitely are not Christians, but also hinting at the fact that because of this they aren't as superior.

Literary Devices

Onomatopoeia - using words that imitate the sound they denote.

Example: From the nursery rhyme - Baa Baa Black Sheep
Example: Bang! went the pistol,
Crash! went the window,
Ouch! went the son of a gun.

Realism - a theory of writing in which the ordinary, familiar, or mundane aspects of life are represented in a straightforward or matter-of-fact manner that is presumed to reflect life as it actually is.

Examples: There are many examples of realism in The Adventures of Huckleberry and Finn. Twain uses realism when he explores the gullibility of society by using the Duke and the King to scandalize people out of their money. Throughout the book, Twain also uses deceit, lying, and hypocrisy as a form of realism to satirize society.

Beowulf: The Monsters and The Critics

Tolkien argues against critics who play down the major elements of the poem (Grendel, Grendel's Mother, the dragon), in favor of using Beowulf only as a resource for Anglo-Saxon history. Tolkien sets the monsters at the center of Beowulf criticism. Tolkien then goes on to argue that seeing the poem as primarily a historical document is not an effective approach to Beowulf studies because it ignores the poetry. He considers the historical value that it possesses to be of secondary importance. Tolkien then goes on to note that Ker, a great scholar, was mistaken of thinking the monsters to be a childish flaw. Tolkien argues that the "dignity" of Beowulf that Ker and Chambers both praise is due to the theme of the poem, which he attached to the monsters. Tolkien then argues that the poem is not meant to "advance" but is rather a balance of two moments in a great life. Beowulf was an effective work of art in Tolkien's eyes. Tolkien criticizes critics whom he believes to be looking at the poem Beowulf all wrong. His main point is that you shouldn't be looking at this poem only as a historical document but to enjoy this poem as it is and to face the fact that is has derived great pleasure from a poem that is actually about unfashionable creatures, such as ogres and dragons.


I think Tolkien points out many important arguments. I feel that Tolkien wrote this to inform and persuade readers to look at this work of art for what it is and not only as a historical document. I agree with Tolkien on many of his arguments. For one, Mr. Girvan, a critic, claims that Beowulf is misused on an unprofitable theme, Tolkien pretty much argues back that who would waste their time writing more than three thousand lines on matter that is really not worth serious attention. If you think about this, obviously the author of this poem had a point and knew why and for what purpose he was using the major elements of the poem such as Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the dragon. Another would be when a critic, Ker, states, "the great beauty, the real value, of Beowulf is in its dignity of style. Well, how can there be dignity in Beowulf without the monsters who give the characters in the poem its dignity. My last response to one of the arguments in Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics is how many critics claim that this poem should primarily be looked at as a historical piece, one reasoning being because of all the allusions that are attracting so much curiosity, research, and attention. So, maybe if these scholars or critics weren't spending so much time looking into these hints of some greater idea than enjoying the poem for what it is a fictional plot with monsters that make up and complete the story.

Beowulf Notes

2-Part Structure

Sunrise
We can see the sunrise of Beowulf's career. We are introduced to him as a young man who is out to win fame and honor his father's debts. His defeat of Grendel and Grendel's mother come at the beginning of his fame. He will go on and win other honors.

Sunset
We see the sunset of Beowulf's career and life. The second part of the story takes place over 50 years after the first. Beowulf is an old man and has been king for a long time. We witness the end of a great career.

3-Part Structure
3 Monsters - 3 Battles - each battle increasing in difficulty.

This structure focuses on the monsters. This is a story of three monsters and three battles. The danger of each battle and each monster increases as the story progresses.

-Grendel: The battle with Grendel is fought in Herot and with Beowulf waiting to ambush him. Beowulf fights with his bare hands.

-Grendel's Mother: The battle with the mother is fought in her lair. Beowulf, the intruder, swims for a day the depth of a fiery lake while the mother waits and ambushes him. He saves himself by using an ancient sword that he finds in her hall.

-The Dragon: The worm breathes fire and contains venom. Nothing compares to it, and to make matters more complicated Beowulf is an old man.

Interweaving Stories or Interlacing of Narrative
Presenting the narrative with memories of the past. So you have Beowulf fighting Grendal and then a story of the past that corresponds with what happened, or comment on it.

Action and Reflection; Action and Wisdom; Glorious Deeds and Feuds; Battles and Wisdom and Peace.

This structure uses the idea of the Anglo-Saxon belt with the interlacing knots suggesting that all things past and present - are connected. Wryd.

Parallelism
What happens in the main story is parallel to a story that the scop sings. Example the scop sing of Sigmund killing a dragon. This song parallels and foreshadows Beowulf later killing a dragon. The stories of feuds and ambushes in the text (such as the story of Finn) parallels the ambush and burning of Herot.

Seamus Heaney
-Sees a fifth way to look at the poem:

-The story and destiny of three nations:

-Danes

-Geats

-Swedes

Line Structure in Old English Poetry
-Old English Poetry worked primarily on stresses and alliteration.

-Each line had four stressed words. There was a pause or a caesura after the 2nd stress.

-Each line held three alliterative words.

-Gomban glyldan: paet waes god cyning!

Literary Devices
-Ceasura: A strong pause within a line.

-Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of two or more words.

-Litotes: A kind of understatement, often humerous, where the speaker or writer uses a negative of a word ironically to mean the opposite. Example: She's not the prettiest girl (she's damn ugly). Literary Example: "The Grave's a fine and private place, but none, I think, do there embrace.

-Kenning: A metaphorical phrase or compound metaphor (usually a two-word metaphor) used instead of the name of the thing (example: whale road or shepherd of evil). A compressed metonymy often involving a riddle.

Beowulf
-Bee Hunter. Kenning for bear.

Epic Hero
A hero in an epic. This hero usually has above average strength, intelligence, and morals. He is a symbol for what the culture stands for or believes in. Beowulf - represents the ultimate warrior in a warrior culture. Often the epic hero also has a flaw (a heroic flaw) that serves to remind the culture of faults even in the best of things.

Epic Boast
A kind of resume presented by the epic hero. It could be seen today as a type of bragging, but in the warrior culture it was expected of a warrior to discuss his achievements and prowess before asking for the right to fight a foe.

Flytes of Flyting
A game of verbal taunting between warriors. A type of epic boasting. A good example of this would be the verbal exchange between Beowulf and Unferth at the beginning.

Metonymy
A figure in speech in which one thing is represented by another that is commonly and often physically associated with it.
Example: Bendigeidfran's size, "No house could contain him, " could be a metonymy for the size of his army or kingdom.

Synecdoche
A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.
Example: Beowulf using "keel" to refer to his ship.

Appositive
A building up of phrases that mean the same thing. This was characteristic of oral poetry to have a set of stock phrases that could be used to fit a pattern. The build up is suppose to have climatic effect.
Example: The shepherd of evil, guardian of crime.

Motif
Any recurrent image, symbol, theme, character type, subject, or narrative detail.
Examples: -Kin Killing -Feuds and ambushes -Women mourning -The arming of the warrior, swords -Heads and limbs -The giving of gifts.

Allusion
A reference to a person, event, statement, or theme found in literature, the arts, myths, religion, or popular culture.
Beowulf contains numerous allusions to the Bible...to contrast paganism.
Example: Cain killing Abel...Grendel is an offspring of Cain.

Symbols
-Heorot -Grendel's Lair -Grendel's Arm -Swords -The Dragon's Treasure -The three monsters -Many of the characters in the digressions.

Characters
-Beowulf -Hrothgar -Unferth -Brecca -Shield Sheafson (Scyld Scefing) -Heorogar -Wulfgar -Grendal

Setting
Takes place in Denmark and Sweden.
Three major groups Danes, Geats, Swedes.

Roles of Women
Women: The female role in Beowulf is twofold. First it involves peacemaking biologically through a woman's marital ties with foreign kings as a peace -pledge or a mother of sons. Secondly, it involves peacemaking socially and psychologically as a cup -passing and peace-weaving queen within a hall.

-Hostless -Peace Pledge -Monster

Comitatus
Comitatus: Germanic tribes which invaded Britain held strong beliefs in the basic family unit and were industrious and warlike. They chose their kings for birth and their generals for merit. Even poor tribal members could become rich and powerful if they were willing and able to prove themselves brave and adept in battle. The practice of comitatus (a term used by the early historian Tacitus) was an agreement by which a youth would attach himself to a strong leader for the purpose of gaining riches and prestige. This arrangement could have been the precursor of the lord-thane relationship of feudal institutions of the time, which can also be observed in Beowulf.

-Exile was the worst thing that could happen to a war.
-Kin-killing was the worst crime that one could commit in this society.
-Cowardice equaled failure. It was better to die well in battle than to run away and live to fight another day.

Warrior Culture
Warriors: Warriors kept their armor and weapons at their sides at all times. The Beowulf poet praises the Geats, "They were always prepared for war, whether at home or in the field, as their lord required" (1246-50). The warrior's kit would include a helmet, shield, spear and chain main, and, if he had high status, a sword. They used crested or combed helmets from the 7th and 8th century, with a very sturdy all-iron construction. Mail shirts consisted of rows of riveted rings alternating with of butt-welded rings. The rings were of gray steel, skillfully formed into an intricate mesh, and they linked and jingled on the move.

War: For Germanic tribes, was was considered a natural, desirable and constant part of life.

Wealth: One of the roles of the king was to share wealth. Part of the function of a hall was to provide a setting for the sharing of wealth with the king's warriors and thanes.

Christianity
Christianity: The poet of Beowulf is Christian, but the society he describes is not. Sometimes the narrator's voice comments from a Christian perspective on pagan values, beliefs, and customs.

Revenge: The death of a kinsman must be avenged by his male relations, in blood or in money.

Kinsmen: The Germanic tribe had an enlarged definition of kin, including friends and those to whom one owed favors, even over generations.

Boasting: Boasting was considered an art and the prerogative of a warrior.

Fate: Pagan tradition depicts nature as hostile and the forces of death as uncontrollable. Blind fate picks random victims.

Paige Words

Sonnet- a poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in English typically having ten syllables per line.
Ex: The prologue in Romeo and Juliet.

Chorus

1 Two households, both alike in dignity,
2 In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
3 From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
4 Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
6 A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
7 Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
8 Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
9 The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
10 And the continuance of their parents' rage,
11 Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
12 Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
13 The which if you with patient ears attend,
14 What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

Overstatement- an exaggerated statement or account.
Ex: "I literally died." "I'd give my right arm for a piece of pizza."

Paige Character Research Project

1. Conchobhar is the king of the Ulster in Irish mythology. Conchobhar is born after Ness, his mother, goes into labour by the river Conchobhar. Cathbad, Nessa's husband by force, tells her if she can manage not to give birth until the following day, her son will be a great king and have everlasting fame. The following morning Nessa gives birth. The baby falls in to the river, but Cathbad lifts him out, names hime Conchobhar after the river, and brings him up as his own son. Conchobhar becomes king at a very young age by the help of his mother refusing to marry Fergus, the Ulster king at the time, unless her son can be king for a year. Conchobhar rules so well that by the end of the year he decides that he should be king permanently. During Conchochar's rule, he goes to battle in the Cattle Raid of Cooley and the battle of Ros na Rig and comes out victorious. Conchobhar is eventually killed as a result of Meis-Geghra's brain being embeded into his head during a battle with the Connaught warriors. Seven years later he hears of Christ being crucified and gets so angry that Meis-Geghra's brain pops out of his head and he dies.


2. Here is a story of Conchobhar during his rule trying to make a woman, Deirdre, forcefully marry him. One day, when Conchobhar is visiting the house of his storyteller Fedlimid mac Daill, Fedlimid's wife gives birth to a daughter. Cathbad, now Conchobar's chief druid, prophesies that she will be so beautiful that kings will go to war over her, and she will bring nothing but sorrow. The child is named Deirdre, and Conchobhar decides to have her brought up in seclusion from men, intending to marry her when she comes of age. However, she elopes with a young warrior called Naoise. Along with Naoise's two brothers, the couple go into hiding, and are eventually forced to flee to Scotland. Wherever they settle, the local king tries to have the brothers killed so he can have Deirdre for himself, and they have to move on. Eventually Conchobar tracks them down to a remote island, and sends Fergus to them with his guarantee of safe passage home. On the way home he arranges for Fergus to be separated from his charges by having him invited to a feast, so they are escorted back to Emain Macha by Fergus's son Fiachu. When they arrive, Fiachu, Naoise and his brothers are murdered on Conchobar's orders by Eogan mac Durthacht, and Deirdre is forced to marry Conchobar.
Fergus, outraged by the death of his son and the betrayal of his honor, makes war against Conchobar, alongside Cormac Cond Longas, who sides with his foster-father against his father, and Dubthach Doeltenga. They burn Emain and slaughter the maidens of Ulster, before going into exile with Medb and her husband Ailill in Connacht.
Deirdre lives with Conchobar for a year, but during that time she never smiles, rarely eats or sleeps, and refuses to be comforted. Conchobar asks her what it is she hates, and she replies, "you, and Éogan mac Durthacht." Conchobar gives her to Éogan. The next day, riding in Éogan's chariot, she commits suicide by dashing her head against a stone.


3. Conchobhar symbolizes what makes up an awful king. You'll see this in numerous ways throughout the stories you read about him. First, let's compare a few qualites of a king to Conchobhar whom is supposed to carry out these traits. Kings are supposed to be compassionate, a good host, loyal to his country, fair in decisions, keeps his word, and be intelligent and wise. Conchobhar pretty much crosses all of these qualities. For example, Conchobhar does not perform the duty of being a good host or keeping his word when he gives his guarantee of a safe passage home to Dierdre, her lover Naoise, and his brothers after they runaway from Conchobhar. Conchobhar ends up murdering Naoise and his brothers and then takes Dierdre hostage. Conchobhar is definitely not compassionate when he forces Dierdre, who is in love with another man, to marry him. Dierdre ends up commiting suicide by dashing her head against a stone. During the battle with the Connaught warriors, you'll see that Conchobhar is not loyal to his country, (he leaves his men during battle), fair in decisions, (he decides that he should take a minute off from the battle thats happening right next to him to pose for the "enemies" women so they can admire his astonishing figure), or intelligent and wise, (considering he gets a brain ball slung into his head while he is being a self-centered and conceeded man). In my view it is surprising that his warriors stay so true and faithful to him until the very end.


4. In my opinion Conchobhar is an egotistical, ruthless man. If I was one of his warriors I would not have given him as much respect and loyalty as they did. All Conchobhar thinks of is himself. He wants the best woman, whether see likes him or not, he abondons his men in the middle of battle, and is dishonest and deceitful to get what he wants. I would not have wanted to be one of Conchobhar's warriors in his time.

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6. One literary device associated with Conchobhar would be the theme Paganism vs. Christianity. At the end of the story you see Conchobhar get very upset after he hears that Christ was crucified by the Jews. He gets so angry after hearing this that Meis-Geghra's brain pops out of his head and he dies. The blood from the wound baptises him as Christian, and his soul goes to heaven. This suggests that the author was probably Christian. I think that it implies if you are a pagan, your 'gods' or you are subject to wyrd (fate). Meaning that all men are doomed to die. Whereas God, rules wyrd itself. God will give you strength and security if you are faithful to him. Thus, providing you with salvation and glory for eternity.

Branwen Daughter of Llyr

Throughout the story, Branwen Daughter of Llyr, the author uses the motif the troublemaker to keep things moving along. The troublemaker, Efnisien, is who causes the uproar between the king of Ireland, Matholwch, and the king of the Island of the Mighty, Bendigeidfran, by mutilating Matholwch's horses. Efnisien maims the horses because he decides that it was wrong of the council to make the decision to bestow Branwen upon Matholwch without his consent. This then causes Matholwch to become hostile until Bendigeidfran makes peace and they come to an agreement. A few years later, Efnisien's little act comes to life again when some of Matholwch's subjects remind him of the shameful trick played on him over his horses. Once more there is two angered kings. Bendigeidfran then sets off to cross over the deep water to Ireland to settle this issue. After he arrives, things seemed to be going well and peace was at hand,until Efnisien decides to throw, the upcoming king of Ireland, Gwern son of Matholwch, headlong into a blazing fire, causing a great quarrel. It was because of this act that Bendigeidfran was poisoned with a spear and had to end his life along with that of many others. It was because of Efnisien that seven men set off to bury Bendigeidfran's head in the White Mount in London, their journey only taking them eighty-seven years to complete.