Canterbury Tales (II) : What a Character

Collaborated with: Haley Stowe, Tia Jones, Taylor Williams, Megan Stevens, Haley Kestler

Character Analysis: The Knight 

- The author uses direct characterizationg but the narrator relys on indirect characterizing to reveal key aspects about the knights personality 

   Ex: Indirect: the author shows that the knight is a leader when he takes on the roll to tell the first story. Direct: the narrator states that in line 86 "...with agility and strength." 

- Chaucer displays a large and diverse range of attitude towards life. The tales are satirical and comical. Another tone is also very admiring towards the knight. 

- Humor: As the plot continues to follow the plan, the irony between the good knight and his death after achieving the goal of his dream girl. The knight was given the chance to become free and leave his life behind yet he returns to battle in order to win over the love of another girl. The knight ultimately lead himself into his own death which was ironic because he was originally freed by the other knight. 

Chaucer & Phonar Nation Notes

- The way you speak and how you speak define who you are in English culture. 

- Chaucer is telling the story about Canterbury because it is supposed to be a spiritual journey. 

- Characters are promised a feast. 

- This is a satire: using some humor or anger to direct attention to a topic that needs to be improved. 

- Chaucer is considered The father of English literature. 

- If you want to change the world learn a new way to describe it 

- Habits define who we are. They are intentional. 

     Ex: Success is a habit 

- A photo is bound by experience and the image is bound by evidence. The term is the same. The user is composing something! 

- Business models change how we see a photo. 

- We are no longer telling the stories of our pictures, our pictures are telling the story of us. 

- Describe new media in terms of the old. 

- Old picture: Multi color or black and white. At a moment in time. Unchanged. Bound in a frame. 

- New picture: Changed. Various arrays of color. Describing instances that happen over a certain period of time. 

- The essential point: stories will not be told in the same way! 

- We now have the power to talk back to our literature. 

- The hypocrisy of a society that poses as one thing and functions as another. 

- Phonar matter in 3 ways! 

   1. We all learn differently. 

   2. Telling the stories differently gives us          a chance to make something. 

   3. Connects us to a community that is           doing likewise all around the world. 

Vocabulary List #4: Definitions & Sentences

1. obsequious - adj. attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery

 Ex: The obsequious girl tried to get an A on her test by bringing the teacher brownies. 

2. beatitude - noun one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed); a state of supreme happiness

 Ex: When he won the lottery, the man became beatitude. 
3. bete noire - noun a person or thing that one particularly dislikes 

 Ex: The girl who always talked was the teachers bête noire. 
4. bode - verb indicate by signs

 Ex: A traffic light bodes when to go and when to stop. 
5. dank - adj. unpleasantly cool and humid

 Ex: There is almost always dank weather on the East coast. 
6. ecumenical - adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions

 Ex: The church held a ecumenical event in hopes to gain more members. 
7. fervid - adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion

 Ex: The valedictorian gave a fervid speech at graduation. 
8. fetid - adj. offensively malodorous

 Ex: The fetid water in Africa makes Americans sick. 

9. gargantuan - adj. of great mass; huge and bulky

 Ex: The gargantuous crowd made her claustrophobic. 

10. heyday - noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity

 Ex: Rain season is considered heyday for farmers. 
11. incubus - noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream

 Ex: Debt is an incubus to many families. 
12. infrastructure - noun the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; the basic structure or features of a system or organization

 Ex: The infrastructure of the building was strategically built. 
13. inveigle - verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

 Ex: We cannot inveigle her to tell the truth of her actions. 
14. kudos - noun an expression of approval and commendation

 Ex: We face we kudos when she received the scholarship. 
15. lagniappe - noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)

 Ex: She gave her best friend a lagniappe after surgery. 
16. prolix - adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length

 Ex: She thought the epic was prolixed. 
17. protege - noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career

 Ex: He was a protege to the musical world. 
18. prototype - noun a standard or typical example

 Ex: The computer generated program was a prototype for hospitals. 
19. sycophant - noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage

 Ex: The teacher was very disappointed when she heard her student was a sycophant. 
20. tautology - noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true

 Ex: The professor wanted his students to avoid tautology in their literature. 
21. truckle - noun a low bed to be slid under a higher bed; verb yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

 Ex: The bully made her truckle. 

Literature Analysis: Why it will be Late...

It's amazing how much people you love so much can get in the middle of you and your school work. As I sit here and try to finish my literature analysis I slowly but surely realize that my efforts in my writing are getting smaller and smaller. Because I took today to spend with family and go to a family BBQ I now have to spend my night writing my literature analysis for the class. But instead of trying to just answer the questions so it is done by tomorrow, I'm going to wait until tomorrow to finish my post. Knowing that my peers may read this and use it as a study tool for future reference I cannot simply write to check the assignment off my to do list and I need to write for a purpose. Therefore, I will be putting my post up for my literature analysis as of tomorrow and although it may be a day late, it is going to be accurate and I would much rather have my grade knocked down then give everyone else who may read my work false information. 

Literature Analysis #1

1. The plot- 

 Exposition: The story starts off with the description of a very rustic and shabby town in which Kino and his wife Juana are raising their very young son Coyotito. The family is living on the beach side in a very rough community full of poor Native American families. As an opening scene, the reader familiarizes himself with the daily routine and learns that as Coyotito was put down for a nap, he was stung by a scorpion in the shoulder. As his father kills the scorpion and his mother frantically tries to remove the venom from her baby, the surrounding villagers all gather to try and help if at all possible. As Kino and Juana rush Coyotito to the doctor, they arrive but are refused service because they cannot pay for the medical treatment. The reader also learns of Native American culture when Kino refers to his 'songs' in which represent the emotion and inner conflicts through out the extent of the novella. 

 Inciting Incident: Following their daily routine, the family gets up as if it were another normal morning and after eating breakfast, head out to the oyster bed just off the shore line. Kino dives down Ito the water and spotted a huge oyster that he believes he saw a pearl in. Carrying his oyster up to the surface along with all his others, he opens his oyster very last out of them all. As he opens the oyster, he sees that he had discovered a huge pearl within. When the family heads home, the town is all in awe and Kino soon becomes the topic of discussion for every conversation. As the couple describe what they are to do with the money they will receive, some of the villagers are hesitant to what the future hold for the family and others are awe struck with such beauty. 

 Climax: As things between Kino and Juana start to heat up over the pearl, Juana is starting to see that the pearl isn't bringing any luck and is actually causing more problems than fortune. In hopes to get rid of the pearl, Juana takes the pearl to the beach and as she starts to throw it into the ocean, Kino stops her and end up beating her because of it. As the family starts to walk back to the hut, they get attacked and Kino ends up killing one if the attackers. In hopes to leave their past behind them, the family attempts to flee and as they are running away, Coyotitio gets shot by a coyote hunter and ends up dying. 

 Falling Action: Kino and Juana carry their beloved son back to the village in hopes to help their mourning process. 

 Resolution: Kino throws the pearl into the ocean as Juana wanted to before anything had happened at all. 

2. The theme of the novel is very evident in my case as I read the novel. As it relates to the modern world, Steinbeck depicts the common theme that wealth does not always bring fortune and power corrupts. Although the pearl was considered very valuable and was seen by all the villagers as an item on huge profits, in the end Kino was the one whom had to learn the hard way that it was not a good find at all. Because of the Pearl, and the power that Kino believed he know obtained because the pearl was to make him a rich man, he lost the life of his beloved son; an event in which he would never be able to undo. 

3. Steinbecks tone thought the extent of the novel was very constant. Describing his surrounding and each moment in such detail that the reader could feel the passion and the pain beneath the words written on the pages of the paper. It was obvious that Steinbeck put a lot into his writings and it was seen crystal clear as a reader. 

 - (p. 9) "She could stand fatigue and hunger almost better than Kino himself. In the canoe she was like a strong man. And now she did the most surprising thing." 

 - (p. 49) "And there was terror in her voice. Then coldness came over him as quickly as the rage had, and he said, 'I am all right. The thing has gone.'" 

- (p. 111) "And Kino crept silently as a shadow down the smooth mountain face." 

4. Use of Figurative Language-

Simile: (p. 9) "In the canoe, she was like a strong man." 

Allusion: Although it is not clearly shown through one specific sentence of the novel, God was commonly referred to as the almighty and a reflection of the choices the family was making. 

Foreshadowing: (p. 8) " ... And the Coyotito might die if enough if the poison had gone in." 

Personification: (p. 10) "And the yellow sun threw their black shadows ahead of them so that they walked on their own shadows." 

Symbolism: (p. 118) "And the music of the pearl drifted to a whisper and disappeared." 

Imagery: (p. 13) "He had on his dressing gown of red watered silk that had come from Paris, a little tight over the chest now if it was buttoned." 

Irony: A pearl is known to bring fortune to a family yet when Kino found the Pearl it was only unfortunate events that followed the discovery eventually leading the the death of his son. 

Metaphor: (p. 27) "A town is a thing separate from all other towns, so that there are no towns alike." 

Hyperbole: (p. 118) "And the pearl settled into the lovely green water and dropped toward the bottom. The waving branches of the algae called to it and beckoned to it." 

Idiom: (p. 108) "There is a way." 

Characterization: 

1. Both the doctor that helps Coyotito and the hunters that kill Coyotito are described with direct characterization. Showing that the doctor was lazy and the  hunters weren't empathetic for what they did gave the reader a very straight forward insight on how the characters were to be perceived. The villagers as well as Kino himself were described though an indirect characterization. Kinos  true self was shown through the appearance of the pearl and how he truly cared about social image and wealth over the power of family and love. The villagers were characterized through tinge death of Coyotito in that as they found out he had passed, they all came together to support Juana and Kino but also to remember his life and show the true meaning of a communal family. Steinbeck uses both approaches to show the contrast between the importance of each character. As the more evident characters were pin pointed, the more prominent or more complex characters were given more adversity to interpretation. 

2. Steinbecks diction as he would describe one character to another or a specific scene versus another was very dynamic. Changing on what he was trying to say or how he wanted the message to come across depended on the language he used to display his wants. However, through out his novella, his syntax remained the same as descriptive sentences were lengthy yet action scenes were described with short and choppy phrases. 

3. The protagonist of the novel is very much so a dynamic one. Playing the role of both a family oriented dad yet also being the businessman trying to negotiate a price for the pearl in which he discovered, Kino was constantly changing viewpoints as his character continued to develop through out the story line.  

4. After reading this novel, I feel like I have met another person dealing with everyday struggles of high school. Of course in the novel the stories based upon finding the pearl and the pearl being the modern representation of an A grade in high school. As you try your hardest to earn it or in this case find the pearl, once you achieve your goal, your passion to achieve more and exceed that point diminishes. Whether being in a novel or in your life becoming someone else because you achieve something isn't an uncommon characteristic, and as hard as we try to remain true to who we are and what we believe in, life is constantly changing and therefore we have to continually change with it. 

Vocabulary List #3: Definitions & Sentences

1. accolade - noun a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

 Ex: My mom gave me an accolade to go to the beach with friends. 
2. acerbity - noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner

 Ex: A lemon is known to be very acerbic. 
3. attrition - noun the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice; erosion by friction

 Ex: Attrition causes an exothermic reaction. 
4. bromide - noun any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark

 Ex: Bromide is a very common element in Chemistry. 
5. chauvinist - noun an extreme bellicose nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind

 Ex: An arrogant person is also known to be a chauvinist person. 
6. chronic - adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering

 Ex: Cancer causes chronic pain and depression. 
7. expound - verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; state

 Ex: In literature, vocabulary expounds the meaning behind symbols in a novel. 
8. factionalism- noun the existence of or conflict between groups within a larger group 

 Ex: Sports can cause factionalism between team mates. 
9. immaculate - adj. completely neat and clean;free from stain or blemish; without fault or error

 Ex: Her room was always immaculate looking. 
10. imprecation - noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation

 Ex: The bully was in detention because of his imprecations 
11. ineluctable - adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"

 Ex: Life is full of ineluctable obstacles. 
12. mercurial - adj. relating to or containing or caused by mercury; relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change

 Ex: Chemistry is full of scales that contain mercurial content.
13. palliate - verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

 Ex: A chiropractor has a goal to palliate his patient. 
14. protocol - noun code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data

 Ex: There is a different protocol for a fire and an earthquake. 
15. resplendent - adj. having great beauty and splendor

 Ex: A queen is known to have a very resplendent figure. 
16. stigmatize - verb mark with a stigma or stigmata; to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful

 Ex: The teacher stigmatized the student for cheating. 
17. sub - noun a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes; a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States; verb be a substitute

 Ex: When teachers are absent, a sub fills there space for the day. 
18. rosa - noun large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses

 Ex: The baby got hurt for playing in the rosas. 
19. vainglory - noun outspoken conceit

 Ex: A leader is usually vainglory. 
20. vestige - noun an indication that something has been present

 Ex: The cops believed that there was a robber because of the vestige left behind. 
21. volition - noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

 Ex: Volitions are made on a daily basis in everyone's life. 

Beowulf Essay

     "Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed."~ Bob Riley. The evolution between what was and what now is, is a huge transformation making many question how it has come to change. In the past, a hero was someone who gave their life in order to fight a battle or someone who was bound to be a hero because of the family line that he came from. On the other had, in modern times a hero isn't someone who was made into a hero but someone who simply did an extraordinary deed saving the life of someone else or stopping a horrific event from taking place. A hero in the 21st century is someone who simply does something out of the goodness of their heart whether that person me a male of female whereas in the past, a hero was forced to go out into battle or to do something and were solely men. As time elapses and society changes, so do the people whom live within that society. As the past epic of Beowulf explains the hero of the past and the journey that must be taken, the common citizen discovers what it truly is to be courageous and put others before him/herself.
     Within the epic story of Beowulf, he was called to adventure in order to 'answer the call' as discussed in class. Beowulf was seen as the hero within the novel as he travelled his journey in order to beat the creature that was giving the kind as well as the whom town grief. He shows his heroic characteristics through the choices in which he made in order to defeat the creature causing terror within Heorot. Choosing to fight Grendel 'naked' or without weapons of shield showed Beowulf's sense of courage and how confident he was in himself in order to defeat the monster. The honor that Beowulf showed the King was common in older versions of a heroic story as the hero soon becomes the favorite. Although Beowulf had died within the plot line in the midst of fighting off the dragon, his story was still shared though Wiglaf and he was known as the hero whom saved Heorot. Beowulf was seen as the hero whom put all his strength toward conquering Grendel and lost his life for the sake of everyone elses.
     More modern day heroes aren't the typical looking nor acting heroes that were depicted in the past. a hero in the present is someone who simply acts upon their heart and puts all others in front of themselves. A common example is the accident that happened in Sandy Hook Elementary School. As a normal day, Ms. Victoria Soto went to work thinking that she would enjoy teaching the young minds to become great people. What she didn't know was that she would save the life of each student in her classroom. Standing in between the gun man and the students, Soto was able to look at the gunman knowing what was bound to happen without flinching a muscle. Showing that she wasn't going to back down and let her student lose their life so tragically, Soto herself had lost her life. Having the courage to stand in front of the enemy and save the life of 15 children, Soto was nationally recognized as a hero. Not because she had won a drastic battle nor fought off a huge enemy, but simply because she was true to her heart and saved the lives of her children. Modern heroes are specific people you can pick out in a crowd nor are they always recognized. Simple actions make someone a hero to different people and each person a hero for a different reason.
     A hero is a hero no matter how they earned that title. In the past, they must've completed a huge goal or triumphed where no one else had, but in the modern era, a hero is simply a hero because someone looks up to him/her or they stayed true to their heart. Although in both cases, they are recognized as a 'hero', they way in which they earned that was completely opposite. The image of a hero has changed so much from then to now, yet the person has remained constant. "A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom." ~ Bob Dylan.

Will Study for Food

 

The scholarship that I have found is the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards. This scholarship applies to those who are of a Hispanic background. I have been on top of my scholarships because of how much money I really need in order to get to college. I have high hopes for myself and hope to fund for my schooling through scholarships and financial aid seeing that I do not have a lot of money to pay out of pocket. It's really scary for me to think of how much it really costs to go to college and it's starting to set in that even if I am accepted into the schools I want, I cannot attend unless I can financially get myself there. 

Vocabulary List #2: Definitions & Sentences

1. accoutrements-  additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity
 Ex: A purse is a common accoutrement to a girls daily outfit.
2. apogee - noun apoapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the Earth; a final climactic stage
 Ex: Senior year is seen as the apogee of high school.
3. apropos - adj. of an appropriate or pertinent nature; adv. by the way; at an opportune time
 Ex: It is apropos for a writer to use statisctics as evidence.
4. bicker - noun a quarrel about petty points; verb argue over petty things
 Ex: It is common for siblings to bicker all the time.
5. coalesce - verb fuse or cause to grow together; mix together different elements
 Ex: The more and more time people spend together, the more they coalesce.
6. contretemps - noun an awkward clash
 Ex: Its contretemps when two people say the same thing at the same time.
7. convolution - noun the action of coiling or twisting or winding together; a convex fold or elevation in the surface of the brain; the shape of something rotating rapidly
 Ex: The complexity of the Sistine Chapel brought about convolutions of color.
8. cull - noun the person or thing that is rejected or set aside as inferior in quality; verb remove something that has been rejected; look for and gather
 Ex: The popular kids cull the nerds from their party.
9. disparate - adj. including markedly dissimilar elements;fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
 Ex: A dog and a seal are considered disparate from one another.
10. dogmatic - adj. characterized by assertion of unproved or unprovable principles; relating to or involving dogma; of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
 Ex: He voiced his opinion without being dogmatic.
11. licentious - adj. lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
 Ex: A rude child probably grew up in a licentious environment. 
12. mete - noun to distribute equally
 Ex: Candy is meted among children in school.
13. noxious - adj. injurious to physical or mental health
 Ex: Drugs are noxious to anyone whom uses them.
14. polemic - adj. of or involving dispute or controversy; noun a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma); a writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology)
 Ex: In society, abortion is very polemic.
15. populous - adj. densely populated
 Ex: During the summer, Hawaii is very populous. 
16. probity - noun complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
 Ex: Most teenagers lack probity. 
17. repartee - noun adroitness and cleverness in reply
 Ex: Political figures usually have a well developed repartee. 
18. supervene - verb take place as an additional or unexpected development
 Ex: Plans made in advance have a high chance to be ruined by supervening occurences.
19. truncate - adj. terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off; verb make shorter as if by cutting off; approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one; replace a corner by a plane
 Ex: Because she got a perfect score on the test, the chance for a curve was truncated.
20. unimpeachable - adj. beyond doubt or reproach; completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach; free of guilt; not subject to blame
 Ex: The judge believed the unimpeachable withness just like everyone else did. 

Beowulf Notes Prologue - Chapter 10

Prologue:
-Starts off referencing the story of Scyld (a great king who had all the power)
-Rewarded the tribute of gold
-His son, Beowulf, continued his rein and rewarding gold bringing honor to their name
-Beowulf died and was sent with his ship to burial at sea
Chapter 1:
-The kingdom was left to Healfdene and he upheld his repuatation
-His kids were: Heorogar, Hrothgar, and Halga
-Hrothgar was known for his skills in battle
-Heorot was in honor of the prosperity of his rule
-A creature named Grendel heard the ruckous at the hall
-Cain was one of the ones whom had survived God's flood
Chapter 2:
-During the night, he took thirty thanes to his lair
-The thanes knew of Grendel's might and made their beds elsewhere for fear of Grendel
-For twelve years he harrasses Hrothgar and went stopped the reward of gold and began terrorizing both old and young
-No one would approach the hall for fear of Grendel
-The Sclydings had no faith in God and were living in misery without hope
Chapter 3:
-Hygelac and the Geats heard of the wrath of Grendel and set sail for Heorot with fourteen of his mightiest and bravest warriors to the land of the Danes
-When they landed, they thanked god for their safe journey
-A watchman demanded to know where they had come from and why they were there when they arrived
Chapter 4:
-Ecgtheow answers and said that they have come to help hearing of the wrath of Grendel
-The watchman then escorts the visitors to Heorot
Chapter 5:
-Observing the decorated streets, Wulgar stops and asks them of their business
-Hrothgar is upon his throne
Chapter 6:
- Hrothgar remembers Beowulf and Ecgtheow descended from the line of Hrethel and has heard about his strength and welcomes Beowulf
- Wulfgar tells the news
- Beowulf greeted Hrothgar, citing his recent defense of the Weders
- He says he will battle Grendel unarmed, and if he fails, Grendel will devour his body but they should send his armour back to Hygelac
Chapter 7:
- Hrothgar talks about the war between the Geats and Wylfings: the Geats asked for help when Beowulf's kin killed Heathloaf of the Wylfings. Hrothgar was young, his older brother Heorogar died but the feud was settled when he paid with treasure
- Grendel has brought hate and humiliation to the hall; many warriors have attempted to defeat him but they have failed
Chapter 8:
- Unferth rose to challenge Beowulf; he asks if he did contest with Breca (son of Beanstan) for 7 days in the stormy winter sea where Breca arrived in the land of Brondings
- Beowulf rises to the drunken Unferth and says he has superior strength in the sea; as children he and Breca dared to risk their lives at sea with only a sword against a whale-fish. A flood drove them apart and a creature dragged Beowulf to the bottom where he killed it with a stroke of the sword
Chapter 9:
- Beowulf killed 9 sea-monsters and the tide brought him to the land of Finns
- Grendel brought suffering and humiliation to Hrothgar
- Beowulf had no fear of feud from the Danish Clan; in the morning he will know of the might of the Geats
- Hrothgar was happy with Beowulf's commitment; the queen Wealhtheow also thanked him
- Hrothgar wished Beowulf good luck and to seek glory
Chapter 10:
- A guard keeps watch for monsters and watches Beowulf's possessions
- Beowulf was ready to battle Grendel, unarmed; God would decide the one who is right
- All the warriors slept, except Beowulf who awaited the battle

Beowulf Comprehension Questions

 [Prologue: The Rise of the Danish Nation] (lines 1-85, pp. 33-34)

1. Shield was first an orphan that ascended to king status. His funeral was very grand, for he was put out in a boat with a lot of treasure as his tomb. Shield is actually an ancestor to Hrothgar. 
[Heorot is Attacked] (lines 86-188, pp. 34-36) 
1. Hrothgar decided to build a magnificent mead-hall, but caught the attention of Grendel, a demon ascended from Cain, who attacked the hall, killing 30 men in the first night alone. The attacks lasted for 12 years, and put Denmark and the King in a state of depression. 
[The Hero Comes to Heorot] (lines 189-490, pp. 36-42) 
1. Beowulf decided to come to Denmark and help Hrothgar defeat Grendel, and selects 14 of his bravest men to accommodate him. 
2. The Geats first meet a Danish guard, who asks them who they are and what they are arrived to do, while shaking his spear. Beowulf responds that they are the Geats, and have came to help Hrothgar defeat the monster Grendel.
3. Hrothgar's herald is Wulfgar, who is known for his great wisdom. He tells Hrothgar about Beowulf's mission, and Hrothgar comments on how well he knew Beowulf's father, and how he remembers him as a child. I'm not too surprised that Hrothgar has a connection with Beowulf because it makes more sense now that Beowulf would come to help him. 
4. Beowulf tells Hrothgar of his past glories and offers to fight Grendel without weapons. Hrothgar mended a feud between Beowulf's father and the Wulfing tribe. 
[Feast at Heorot] (lines 491-661, pp. 42-46) 
1. Unferth accuses Beowulf of losing a swimming match to Breca, but Beowulf counters with his own version of the story, and accuses Unferth of drunkenness. This episode shwos truly how confident and likable Beowulf is, and how people tend to believe in him.
During the feasting, the Queen brings around a goblet and makes a toast thanking God for bringing Beowulf to defeat Grendel, then sits next to Beowulf. 
[The Fight with Grendel] (lines 662-835, pp. 46-49) 
1. Beowulf plans on not using weapons to fight Grendel. 
2. When Grendel enters Herot he kills one man and tries to swipe at Beowulf but gets his claws caught by Beowulf's string hands. Grendel tries to escape but his arm comes clean off due to the strength of Beowulf's hold on him so he escapes but is fatally wounded.
[Celebration at Heorot] (lines 836-1250, pp. 49-60) 
1. Beowulf is like Sigemond in that he loves displaying his courage and valor through warring battles. However, he is unlike Sigemond in that he would rather go into battle alone and rely on his own strength, than to do well commanding others and being a leader.
2. Hrothgar is esctatic about Beowulf's deed, and celebrates his victory by awarding him many gifts. Among those gifts is a sword. Unferth is rather quiet after Beowulf succeeded, because he was proven wrong.
3.  In the story of Finn the Frisians and the Danes are at war, and until Hildeburgh, a Dane, married Finn, Lord of the Frisians. This idea of using a bride as a way to heal two warring states was proved ineffective, because Hildeburgh's brother was killed when visiting her and Finn was later killed out of vengeance.
4. Wealtheow asks Hrothgar to not give Beowulf the throne, but instead to keep the throne in the bloodline.
5. Beowulf gives the necklace to Hygelac, who later wears it in the battle in which he dies. Wealtheow asks Beowulf to guide and protect her children.
6. So many men remain in the beer hall to sleep because, now that Grendel is dead, they think it is completely safe. This is a mistake because Grendel's vengeful mother comes in the night and takes one of Hrothgar's men and her son's arm.
[Another Attack] (lines 1251-1382, pp. 60-62) 
1. Grendel's mother comes to Heorot to get revenge for her son's death. This is different than Grendel's reason for tormenting the hall. Grendel just enjoyed the thrill of killing the men and stopping their constant celebrations.
2. Hrothgar's response is to ask Beowulf to kill Grendel's mother. Grendel's mother had killed Aeschere who was Hrothgar's close friend and advisor.
3. The mere is a strange swampy lake, where Grendel and his mother live in an underwater cave.
Beowulf Fights Grendel’s Mother (lines 1383-1650, pg.63-68) 
1. Beowulf tells Hrothgar to respond in a caring way for his own men that he should leave behind.

2. Beowulf sinks into this water for a few hours before he enters the mere.

3 In preparation for his battle with Grendel’s mother, Beowulf dresses in his new armor he was given by Hrothgar. Beowulf brings with him a sword borrowed from Unferth.
4. When Beowulf enters the mere Grendel’s mother reaches out and pulls him under with her claws. She pulls him far enough down so that other sea monsters will not interfere with their fight.
5. When Beowulf uses the sword it is unable to cut Grendel’s mother and she remains unscathed.
6. Beowulf is protected from Grendel’s Mother largely due to his armor. To combat her attacks he uses his bare hands to break free.
7. In battle, Beowulf sees the sword of Eoten’s and uses it to slay Grendel’s mother. He then proceeds to cut off her head and a bring it back with him. The sword is melted because of the monster’s blood.
8. The men had been mourning before Beowulf returned because they thought he had failed below. The men rejoiced at the sight of their hero.
Further Celebration at Heorot (lines 1651-1798, pg. 68-71) 
1. Beowulf gives Hrothgar the hilt of his sword as a symbol of his victory.
2. Hrothgar praises Beowulf but tells him that in order to be successful he needs to be a fair ruler and give wealth to the worthy. He tells the story of Heremod who was a cruel ruler who soon lost the support of his followers. The king was murdered by his people. Hrothgar urges Beowulf to not follow in his footsteps.
3. Beowulf returns Unfeth’s sword, Hrunting.
[Beowulf Returns Home] (lines 1799-2199, pp. 71-79)  

1. Hrothgar is worried Beowuld may become too arrogant and be unable to fight successfully if there small battle victories get to his head.

2. Hygd is Geat's queen. She is a good queen where as Modthryth is a bad, evil queen.3. Beowulf plans to do this because he wants Hygelac to be aware that Ingeld and Dane may turn against Geat. Beowulf expects the result to be bad because he thinks the peace will be broken by someone bringing up the old violence and feud. Over time with everything he has been through, Beowulf has become focused, confident, and gained courage.
4. Beowulf reports that his adventures are accurate for the most part, but at times he exaggerates a little.
5. Beowulf, out of respect, gives the treasure to Hygelac. In return Hgelac gives him a jeweled sword, 7000 hides, land, a hall, and a throne.
[The Dragon Wakes] (lines 2200-2509, pp. 79-86) 
1. Part 2 takes place 50 years later. The kings that have died in the meanwhile are Hygelac and Heardred. Danger now exists and it is a dragon.
2. The dragon is angry because a thief stole a goblet from the treasure trove the dragon was guarding. The treasure got there because an ancient race that was doomed to perish began to bury their treasures there, and the dragon found it.
3. The dragon came out to attack Geat people and destroyed their properties.
4. He thinks his house got burnt because he did something that displeased the gods. He orders a new shield that cannot be burned by the dragon. He ends up fighting the battle without a sword or shield, but he is bringing men with him. He is confident about this battle.

5. Hygelac died in Friesland during a battle by a Frankish king. Beowulf killed the Frankish king because he killed Hygelac. When Beowulf returned home Hygd offered him to be king, but he refused out of respect for his younger cousin.
6. He was killed in battle against the Swedes. He helps Eagils kill Onela, the Swedish king.
7. Twelve men including himself went with him to meet the dragon.
8. Herebeald was killed by accident by the Haethcyn with an arrow. His father died for grief over his sons death. Battles broke out between the Swedish and Geats after Herebeald's death. Haethcynwas killed during battle. Beowulf got his revenge for Hygelac's death by killing Dayraven, a Frankish warrior. 

[Beowulf Attacks the Dragon] (lines 2510-2820, pp.86-92) 
1. Beowolf told them to stay back, and let him kill the dragon.
2. The first time Beowolf and the dragon fight, Beowolf gets hurt. All of his companions fled except for Wiglaf. He is different because he actually kept the promise they had all made by being brave when their leader needed them, and he tells the others this. He then helps Beowolf defeat the dragon.
3.The dragon bites Beowolf's neck, and he dies. Wiglaf kills the dragon.
4. Beowolf asks Wiglaf to go into the cave and see what treasure he earned. When he sees the gold, he gives his golden necklace, his helmet, rings etc. to Wiglaf. He asks to be buried right where the dragon was killed.
[Beowulf's Funeral] (lines 2821-3182, pp.92-99)
1. Wiglaf is angry at them for not helping in a time of need. He believes that the Geats will get destroyed.
2. The messenger announces the news of Beowolf's death. The messenger states that the treasure was cursed, and that Beowolf was never greedy. The last image is of the Dragon.
3. Wiglaf tells the crowd about Beowolf's incredible fighting skills.
4. They pushed the dragon over the cliff, thinking that it didn't deserve to be buried.
5. The crowd celebrates Beowolf's accomplishments, but are also very sad about his death.
6. They said that no better king had lived who is deserving of praise. Yes, because military heroes need to be brave because they put their life in danger for us.

Textbook Notes (pgs. 31-60)

From Tristia Ovid: Book 10

 -Tristia had moved from her mother country, Dardanian Troy, when it was attacked by the Grecian Army.

   -Now in the Pontus, feels like the days go by like years 

 -Despises the common theme of death races (referring to gladiator games and/or the continuous war between the Romans and their enemies)

 -Feels like a barbarian not being able to communicate with people of the new land, had to use body language

 -Was exiled from Rome

 -"Injured the power of Caesar the god," in result was sent to assimilate with the Scythian race as a punishment

   -Believes she deserved to be exiled but not to such a city

Far Corners of Earth by Tu Fu 

 -Describes a shift from the Chiang-han mountains where clouds begin to hover over to "a new waste of highway."

Fom Beowulf

 -portrays the Anglo-Saxon culture of eighth century Britain

 -Beowulf: sword-wielding slayer of monsters, upholder of the right, warrior-chieftain

 -Takes place in sixth century Scandinavia, speaks Old English

 -Beowulf seeks to help the Danish King Hrothgar in fighting the swampland monster, Grendel. 

   -first of the three mortal battles

 -Scops often told long narrative poems by mouth in Anglo-Saxon England which resulted in it's change and growth

   -finally written down in eleventh century

 -main themes: bravery, loyalty, heroism

 -The Electronic Beowulf Project revived the burnt original manuscripts of Beowulf.

Epic: a long narrative poem, sometimes developed orally, that celebrates the deeds of a legendary or heroic figure 

  -hero battles for the order of his world

  -story told in serious matter with sophisticated language

-Legendary hero: a larger than life character whose accomplishments are celebrated in traditional tales

Beowulf

- When created, England was changing from a pagan to Christianity

- Pagan Anglo-Saxons told tales rued by fate where people struggled against monsters in regards to their place in the world

- Christian converts taught that human choices between good & evil were at the center of creation

- Beowulf interprets both the Christian and Pagan traditions

- Starts out during a celebration at Herot and outside is the murderous monster, Grendel

The Wrath of Grendel

- Grendel, the powerful monster grew upset with the constant music that played in the banquet hall of the Danish King Hrothgar that rejoiced in the beauty of Earth.

- Thousands of evil spirits formed from their murderous crimes due to God’s banishment of them by Cain’s responsibility for the death of Abel, who opposed God’s will.

- Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve; Cain killed his brother because he was envious of the attention Abel received from God.

- When all the warriors in the hall were done partying, Grendel went inside killed thirty men and took them back to his lair.

- In the morning the king mourned his companions that he lost, and knew it wouldn’t be the end of Grendel’s wrath.

- The only way the warriors could try to stay alive were if they escaped Grendel.

- For twelve winters Grendel’s defeat of the Danes ruled, killing many and most men.

- Grendel wouldn’t make peace or accept a truce or price

- Grendel continued to kill but wouldn’t touch King Hrothgar’s throne because it was protected by God, and the king’s council debated over remedies to get rid of Grendel.

- The King and council were conflicted by doing the Devils work by trying to get rid of Grendel and banishing him to hell, but trying to do right by God.

The Coming of Beowulf

- The death of the King’s son was extremely painful for the King and kingdom

- Higlac was the king of the Geats and Beowulf's feudal lord and uncle as well as a very strong man

- Higlac heard that Grendel violently forced and demanded a boat to be fitted out for him to go see Higlac

- Beowulf chose the mightiest, bravest, and best men of the Geats he could find to accompany him on his journey to Hrothgar (14 men total)

- He knew the sea would lead them straight to that distant, Danish shore

- They sailed their boat and arrived fully dressed in mail with the best armor and uninvited

- Hrothgar's lieutenant met them on the shore, demanding to know who they were and why they came unannounced

- He asked Beowulf to immediately explicate their reason for their visit before they take action against them

- Beowulf explained who they were and that they were there to hunt Grendel and protect the people and their King from the monster

- The mounted officer believed their words and that he and his men would guard their ship and protect it, saying that any warriors who battle Grendel successfully should go home bearing their love

- Once Beowulf and his men arrived at Herot, they were called in to see the King

- Beowulf arose and went to meet Hrothgar with some of his men, ordering a few to remain behind with their weapons

- Beowulf and his men arrive at Herot and are called to see the King 

- Beowulf ordered some of his men to stay with their weapons, while he took others and himself "into Hrothgar's Presence"

- Beowulf describes himself to the kind to make him seem more favorable, by saying things like "They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me ride form the darkest of war, Dripping with my enemies' blood."

- Beowulf over does it on the compliments to the king then asks for the kings permission to "purge all evil from this hall" (including Grendal, who Beowulf is willing to go into great battle against) Beowulf is willing to die for his cause and exaggeratedly says so. 

The Battle with Grendel 

- Grendal came from the marsh and journeyed to Herot and was met harshly with Herot being so firmly defended. 

- Grendal stormed through the doors quickly, saw the young and sleepy soldiers lining the halls, grabbed one and killed him, snapping shit and drinking the blood. 

- Grendal clutched Beowulf but was suprised by his strength and attack. Grendal's first reaction was to run but Beowulf didn't let him go. 

- Beowulf and Grendal battled violently. Herot shook and trembled, it was built to only come down in fire but the battle was a much great force

- He was the strongest man, Beowulf was going to kill the "monster"

- Beowulf's men woke up to Beowulf fighting Grendel and were ready to fight, if needed; they were courageous, but Grendel was pretty indestructible against them and he could easily beat them all

- But, he(Grendel) was now declining, dying, and had been defeated

- His shoulder bone broke, a sign of the battle being over

- Beowulf won "glory, Grendel escaped" to his den though, to die a slow and miserable death

- Beowulf was very prod, the Danes were happy and his accomplishments were listed; he ended - Hrothgar's people's problems

- Beowulf hung Grendel's "arm, claw, shoulder and all" on the rafters; it was basically a trophy of the victory and proof of the win

The Monsters' Lair (there was a celebration of Beowulf's victory, but Grendel's mother kills Hrothgar's best friend and takes Grendel's claw, Beowulf hears from the king about the underwater lair)

- The king is talking the whole time

- Peasants in fields saw female and male creatures and told the king's wise men

- Grendel they named the man one, no one knows if there were any before them or any other creatures like them

- The creatures lived in a secret wolf den with rocks and a waterfall to an underground lake (my visual interpretation of the text) It's very dark, roots hanging from the top, no one knows how deep

- The king wants Beowulf to kill the mother, Beowulf is his only help and hope of "being saved", he will reward him with gold and treasure for winning

The Battle with Grendel's mother

-Grendel's mother wants to kill the one who hurt her son.
-Grendel's mother and Beowulf fight and Beowulf wins with his hands not his weapons
-he also finishes off Grendel and takes his head as a trophy
-he is honored for being a killer
-becomes king of Geatland and a dragon threatens his kingdom
The Last Battle
-"bUT I will fight again, seek fame still..." line 626
-goes to face the monster and strikes him but his sword failed him when he needed it most
-he stared at death not ready to go
-all his friends left him when he failed, did he boast too much or were they afraid?
-Wiglaf is the only one to help and they kill the dragon, why him?
-Beowulf is dying and wants the dragon's treasure
The Spoils
-Beowulf dies and leaves the kingdom and treasure to Wiglaf
-"so gold can easily triumph, defeat the strongest men., no matter how well it is hidden" what does this mean?
-"Fate has swept our race away, taken warriors in their strength and led them to the death that was --waiting" the honorable have become a very rare people?
The Farewell
-praise Beowulf for the life he lived and not just forget him