Hamlet the madman?

As the play begins it seems as though Hamlet is very sane and just in mourning while others are going crazy because of their reactions to the death of Hamlet Sr. Hamlet and the guards seem crazier than anyone else because they can see the ghost of Hamlet while the majority of the royal class cannot see him. As the play goes on, it seems more and more evident that Hamlet is crazy in a genius way. After his talk with the ghost, Hamlet seems less upset about his father's death and more angry towards the matter.

Anger and resentment grow inside of Hamlet as Claudius keeps a close eye on him instead of allowing Hamlet to live his own life. Further into the play Claudius realizes why Hamlet is so angry at him, not just because he is being so deceiving towards Hamlet. Hamlet knows that he wants to kill Claudius but also knows that no one will understand why unless Claudius tells the truth about killing Hamlet's father. On his quest to kill Claudius is when more people begin to think Hamlet is insane because he actually wants people to believe that which is why he is so ingenious. Without his father being murdered, Hamlet probably wouldn't have gone crazy, but it is also because of how his father died and the actions of the people around him. Hamlet is able to act crazy while around Polonius, Claudius and Ophelia but when he speaks to his mother, his emotions get the best of him and he nearly reveals his scheme to her because he is so torn between wanting to love his mother as a son should and hating her for being the traitor that she is.

Once the ghost makes a presence in Hamlet's life, everything changes. The ghost changed Hamlet's perspective on Claudius and Gertrude and many of his loyal friends'. There is a lot of truth to this because with just one conversation with the ghost, Hamlet sees that Claudius isn't the great uncle that he claims to be, Gertrude is the loyal, loving mother and wife that everyone thinks she is and Polonius is with whoever can give him a better life along with many of Hamlet's so called friends. This leads to fear and anger in Hamlet and brings nothing but negative thoughts to his head. The ghost is the main reason for Hamlet being crazy or insane.

Poem Comparison

There are so many ways to view or perceive a poem and depending on what a person has been through during their life they can see a poem as dark or gloomy while someone else sees it as happy and inspiring. Whatever anyone has gone through, there is always at least one person who knows how they feel or has gone through something similar. The two poems, "Working Together" by David Whyte and "Everything is Going to be Alright" by Derek Mahon both describe life as difficult but something that is always manageable and something that can be overcome. They highlight the idea that whenever someone feels alone they are never truly alone and they can always find someone to help them through their situation because people working together is so much more strong than one person trying to do it alone. In high school, many students see the world as being against them and there is so much holding them back and very little to look forward to, however these poems insinuate that there is something wonderful to look forward to after high school. "Working Together" starts off saying that we shape ourselves to fit the world but I think what that really means is that everyone wants to fit in with some sort of group socially and they will shape themselves to fit it. This social group is usually the world to them and by them joining the group they have a chance to shape their world as they see it. The poem ends with the author saying that when we figure ourselves out we will see that we are shaped by the things we cannot see about ourselves and our lives

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

The phrase " There will be time," is repeated many times throughout the poem. In the context of the poem we can assume that time allows put things off. "There will be time, to say, "Do I Dare, Do I dare." Prufrock just keeps telling himself he will do it someday, and that way he can hold on to his ideals that he loves. Obviously Prufrock has some serious Performative Utterance gong on. And like in Hamlet he puts things off, and precedes to beat himself up over it. But when he says that, he's not Hamlet he means that he has never taken action at all. " to swell a progress, to start a scene or two." He's articulating the diference between himself and Hamlet. Although Hamlet took a while to kill Claudius, he did take some steps to put himself in the position too. So Prufrock is putting himself below that, saying I havent done any of that. " I grow old, I grow old." Prufrock is reminded that he is growing old, however, which contradicts his, "There will be time," statement. There are a few clues that support this." They will say: How his hair is growing thin." Gives us the connotation that Prufrock is grwoing old and balding. All of this gives the sense that Prufrock will live his life as a man of dreams, but never a man of action. "Till human voices wake us and we drown." What is he waking up from? His "etherization" of inaction? and when he drowns, is that when he realizes it was too late and wallows in guilt and regret? I think so.

Working Together Remix- Mellany

Poem remix

So we couldn't figure out how to post the PowerPoint onto the blog but here are pictures of the slides 

Act 3

Scene 1

Notes

-First acknowledgement from another character of hamlet being crazy 

-"much forcing of his disposition" means he's forcing himself to act crazy 

-polonius is saying that the outward appearance of devotion sweetens over the devil himself

-by looking like you're doing the right thing you can convince people you are good 

-Claudius is feeling guilty

-hamlets friends are on Claudius's side and are trying to get information out of hamlet to report back to Claudius. 

-so if Ophelia. She is supposed to get answers from hamlet and report back to her dad 

-hamlet is taking to Ophelia but commenting on the fact that he doesn't trust her too much and is saying that beauty corrupts honesty and its purposes 

-hamlet doesn't love her anymore 

-hamlet is upset with everyone and he beat himself up and Ophelia verbally 

-he is an imperfect person but compared to everyone else he is a saint 

-hamlet said that women corrupt men 

-Ophelia is being two faced and wears makeup 

-hamlet is mad and making people think he's crazy when he really isn't so when Ophelia says he's got madness it has a duel meaning

-polonius and Claudius were listening to hamlet and Ophelia's conversation 

-Claudius says that he doesn't want anything to happen to hamlet or himself but now he wants to get rid of hamlet 

-polonius thinks that he's right and hamlet was sick over his daughter 

-polonius wants Gertrude to talk to hamlet to get him to talk and he will listen without hamlet knowing and if hamlet really isn't crazy and he is a threat then at that point Claudius could send hamlet to England 

Scene 2

-

Questions 

Act 2

Act 2 scene 1

-polonius wants Reynaldo to pretend that he knows a lot about laertes so that he can find out more 

-Reynaldo doesn't want to say something that isn't true about laertes and make people think he is worse than he is

-by indirections find directions out 

-polonius is a schemer 

Act 2 scene 2

-uncle sent out arrests for his nephew who now obeys him

-nephew still wants to go against the polish 

-hamlets dad didn't kill the king but he defeated the forces of the king 

-brevity is the soul of wit 

-though this be madness, yet there is method in it 

-hamlet is either gone crazy or acting like he has while talking to polonius about his daughter 

-hamlet was faking when speaking to polonius 

-hamlet is friends with rosencrants and guildenstern 

-for there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so 

-what a piece of work is a man 

-the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king 

-hamlet feels like a coward because he isn't able to speak up about his problems 

-the more he thinks about how he hasn't killed his uncle the more he beats himself up

-he's really harsh in himself 

-talk is cheap and its action that is required 

-I'll have these players play something like the murder of my father before mine uncle (this is considered the play within a play) 

Hamlet act 1 scenes 3,4&5

Act 1 scene 3 

-Ophelia is laertes's sister 

-laertes is warning his sister to watch out because hamlet is into her and he's intentions are not completely fair 

-Ophelia is going to listen to her brother but she is still going to do kinda what she wants 

-a family of advice givers but full of integrity 

Act 1 scene 4

-the king is having a party and drinking so the other countries think less of him and don't take him seriously 

-something is rotten in the state of Denmark 

Act 1 scene 5 

-the ghost is hamlets dad 

- he's being punished for the bad deeds he did in his life 

-Claudius killed hamlet 

-the queen knows that Claudius killed hamlet because he seduced her before 

-hamlet was sleeping in his orchard when Claudius came and poured poison in his ear 

-when hamlet died he was still in a state of sin 

-it's not for hamlet to punish his mom, he should leave her to her own guilt 

-the ghost told hamlet to get revenge 

-I have sworn't

-there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy 

-the time is out of joint: O cursed spirit, that ever I was born to set it right!

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 2

-Hamlet, the king has died recently 

-They are grieving but they need to move on

-Hamlets mom married his uncle who is now the king. 

-"a little more than kin, and less than kind." (Hamlets first statement) 

   ~created situational and dramatic irony 

   ~he meant that his uncle shouldn't call him son and he resents Claudius 

-Hamlet won't let Claudius in 

-visage is a facial expression that hamlet used to say that he wasn't showing what he was feeling 

-the outside doesn't portray what people are feeling on the inside

-calls out people who show that they are grieving for his father but may not be actually feeling any grief 

-hamlet wished that suicide wasn't a sin because he would kill himself because he's so angry because he doesn't want to watch what is happening 

-very angry with his mom 

-hamlet's mom married his uncle within a month of his father dying 

-he sees this as betrayal to him and his dad 

-he thought she would mourn longer if she really loved his dad 

- he was very quick to believe that the ghost of his dad was outside the castle 

-he asked many questions about how the ghost of his dad looked when the guards saw him

-asked only fact based questions 

-honorable and humble towards the servants 

Everything is a remix

- took something already existing and added/changed it to make it something else 

- Thomas Edison "invented the lightbulb", but it was really an improvement in electric lamps; he took an existing design and made it viable 

- copy, transform and combine 

- combinations can give you bigger products fast 

- the internet is the network of networks 

- almost every element of Star Wars is a remix of other cinematography and monomyths 

Guiding questions

THE POINT OF CANTERBURY TALES IS...

In the story "Canterbury Tales," the author Chuacer lived in a time period where he had to stay one step smarter then his audience and how the content had to be satirical. Chaucer includes many genres that give a different view on life, different characters, and all the different walks of life and they all tie in with how he felt about his time period and his experiences in life.

Vocab #3

accolade - noun a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
acerbity - noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
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
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
chauvinist - noun an extreme bellicose nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
chronic - adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
expound - verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing state
factionalism - adj. of a faction or factions; self-interested; partisan
immaculate - adj. completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
imprecation - noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
ineluctable - adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
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
palliate - verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
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
resplendent - adj. having great beauty and splendor
stigmatize - verb mark with a stigma or stigmata; to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
sub rosa - adj., adv. happening or done in secret
vainglory - noun outspoken conceit
vestige - noun an indication that something has been present
volition - noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

Beowulf Essay

Vocabulary #2

accoutrements - noun personal clothing, accessories, etc.; the equipment, excluding weapons and clothing, of a soldier.

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

apropos - adj. of an appropriate or pertinent nature; adv. by the way; at an opportune time

bicker - noun a quarrel about petty points; verb argue over petty things

coalesce - verb fuse or cause to grow together; mix together different elements

contretemps - noun an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence 

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

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

disparate - adj. including markedly dissimilar elements;fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind

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

licentious - adj. lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained

mete - verb to distribute usually in equal amounts 

noxious - adj. injurious to physical or mental health

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)

populous - adj. densely populated

probity - noun complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles

repartee - noun adroitness and cleverness in reply

supervene - verb take place as an additional or unexpected development

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 (synonym: curtail)

unimpeachable - adj. beyond doubt or reproach; completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach; free of guilt; not subject. Above denial or critique ethically or morally 

Beowulf comprehension

From Tristia Ovid, Translated by L. R. Lind: 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 translated by David Hinton
Describes a shift from the Chiang-han mountains where clouds begin to hover over to "a new waste of highway." Gradual decline in mood.

from 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

Important words/vocab (pg. 37)
Kenning 
Caesura 
Reparation
Solace
Purge
Writhing
Massive
Loathsome 

 

- 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

 

Vocab

- reparation: (n.) something making up for wrong or injury

- solace: (n.) comfort; relief

- mail: (n.) flexible body armor made of metal (in this context)

 

-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

Pg. 49 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

Pg. 50 The Battle with Grendel's Mother (Beowulf decides to kill her and goes to the lake)

·        (Beowulf is speaking to the men) To Hrothgar, if he(Beowulf) should die during battle, he wants Hrothgar to be "Father and protector" of his comrades. He wants Higlac to have the things Hrothgar gave him. To Unferth, who questioned his bravery before the Grendel battle, he leaves his "famous old sword" <symbolic value

·        He jumped into the lake without others responding

·        Sank for "hours" before reaching the bottom

·        Grendel's mother saw him, her "welcome" was trying to kill him, but his armor was too strong to penetrate

·        She carried him to her home, he couldn't get out his weapon

·        the fight brought other monsters swimming to see...

 

-She brought him into her home which nothing could attack them in

-He attacked her but realized he couldn't hurt her

-They continue to fight, and she draws a blade on him, her only son, but she hit his armor and he was unharmed

-He then struck her across the neck and rejoiced at her death

-He then picked up his sword and went to find Grendel but found him dead

-Beowulf then left taking nothing but Grendels head and the jeweled sword

-The Geats rejoiced when Beowulf returned

-They then gifted the Danes with Grendel's head

·        Beowulf honored by Hrothgar

·        He becomes king

·        rules Greatland for 50 years

·        Dragon comes into kingdom when Beowulf is an old man

·        he decided to slay the beast 

·        before battle, tells his men about the royal house 

·        wanted to fight without any armor, then realizes the dragon breathes fire 

·        believes he's the only man who can do it. 

·        wants to claim dragon's riches

·        dragon attacked with breathe first

·        his armor held up, then started to melt

·        first time in life, he fought with fate against him

·        his sword broke in two, but got a stab into the dragon

·        Beowulf fell back, dragon attacked, breathed fire at him, he suffered

·        once king, now a beaten warrior 

·        all other men fleed without helping him

·        only man that stayed was Wiglaf, Wexstan's son

·        Wiglaf's mind was made up, he raised his shield and drew his sword

·        Onela got armor from the king. 

·        Wexstan kept the shining gifts for his son but was killed. 

·        His heir, Wiglaf, inherited the treasures. He went into war with Beowulf and was strong and courageous. 

·        Wiglaf brought the soldiers together, telling them Beowulf had given them the swords, it is time to defend with them. It is better for them to suffer than to cause agony to the king. He yelled encouragement and went into the dragons deadly flames. 

·        Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon. The Beowulf is wounded and is dying. He asks Wiglaf to retrieve the treasure the dragon was protecting. 

 

The Spoils

 

·        Wiglaf goes into the cave. Finds lots of gold and sparkling things. He grabs as much as he can and takes it to the dying king. 

·        Beowulf says he gave his life for this treasure, use it to help and lead his people. 

·        He said he wanted to be burned high at the waters edge so sailors could see this tower and call it Beowulf's tower. He gave all he had to Wiglaf and said their family had been swept away as warriors and now he was following them. Then he died. 

·        Wiglaf is mad at those who deserted Beowulf

·        The Geats burn his body. 

 

The Farewell

 

·        The Geats built the tall and strong tower Beowulf requested, his ashes sealed inside. All the treasure was left at his grave deep in the ground. Twelve men road around the tower telling of their stories and sadness and of his greatness. They said there was not other king worthy of such praise. 

Prologue

·        -A King named Scyld the Scefing was a wealthy man who was looked up upon by the people of his town.

·        -Nobody challenged him, he was better than everyone else

·        -Had a son and named him Beowulf.

·        -Son was looked up to and was generous to all the people of the town. 

·        -Ship created to hold dead body, very wealthy items, 

·        -Description of armor and expensive weapons.

·        -Ship sent to sea, talk about a flood

·        -People mourn for the death of the child.

 

Chapter 1

·        -A new person came to the thrown named Healfdean. 

·        -Was a strong leader

·        -Had four children Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, one not living 

·        -Heorogar was known for his bravery on the battle field.

·        -A hall was built in his honor 

·        -Something of evil comes from "moore land" to hurt the happiness 

·        - Cain awakens evil creature to ruin the fun. 

 

Vocab

·        -march-rieve- A disturber of the border, one who sallies from his haunt in the fen and roams over the country nearby. This probably pagan nuisance is now furnished with biblical credentials as a fiend or devil in good standing, so that all Christian Englishmen might read about him. "Grendel" may mean one who grinds and crushes.

·        Ettins-Giants

 

Chapter 2 

·        Went to house and found group of people mourning the death of a person 

·        The next morning Grendel found out his servant of 12 years was murdered

·        That night Grendel looked for the person who killed his servant and was determined to get his revenge

·        The murder wasn't hard to find and Grendel found who he thought killed his servant

·        There was another person continuing to murder people ruthlessly 

·        People said he still lurked the "moorlands" but nobody said where this place was because they were so afraid 

·        People prayed that they wouldn't be killed by this person but also prayed he would be forgiven by god 

 

Chapter 3 

·        Grendel seen as a hero and people thought his valor should be recognized by the king 

·        Grendel chosen to lead a group of 14 men (called the Geats) to sea 

·        He and his men found the place they were sailing to - Danes 

·        Get off boat armed with weapons and shields 

·        Met by a warden ("scylding clansman") on horseback that was armed 

·        Warden explains that his job is to protect the people of Danes from sailors who land there

·        He also explains he had never seen people come there and be so obvious that they were warriors

·        Warden tells them that he is praying for them on their voyage 

 

Chapter 4:
-the warrior (seafarer) leader claims he is the son of Ecgtheow who's widely known and honored by many
-the warrior got wind of the "monster" that tortures and haunts the Danes and demands that he and his men attempt to defeat this "scathing", "dark ill-doer" monster 
-agreeing with the plan, his men marched to the village/palace in which Hrothgar loved
-some men were assigned to gaurd the boat and escort the others to the palace, protecting the boat from their foes; "gaurd it kept o'er the man of war..." 
-the men can see the shimmery, glistening, gold palace from afar
-the men who were assigned to gaurd the boat and also escort the other men then return to the boat where they spend their time being on the look out

Chapter 5:
-the men, while marching, observe the shiny, well-decorated streets and atmosphere of Heorot
-the men were approached by a proud, curious warrior who stopped the men and asked what their purpose of arrival was
-Beowulf, the leader of the men, and Wulfgar(the warrior described above) discuss the matters. Wulfgar directs the leader and his men to the throne of Hrothgar
-Wulfgar asks Hrothgar to speak to the men
and exclaims that Beowulf appears to be a strong, firm leader; "In weeds of the warrior worthy they, methinks, of our liking, their leader most surely, a hero that hither his henchmen has led." 

Characters: 

The Geats- Beowolf’s clan, Beowolf born around 495

The Dantes- residents of Denmark, Scylding is Anglo Saxon lineage

The Swedes- lived in Sweden north of Geats

Finnsburh- The Fight at Finnsburh overlaps with Beowolf estimated time period and so studied together, example of Germanic heroic lay describing warriors experiences in war

Grendel- monster Beowolf killed and symbolic of when bad Cain killed good Abel (revenge), Beowolf is cause of trouble because rebel, Grendel’s mother is constant vengeful and represents cycle of war even when enemy seems to be defeated

 

I don't know if needed (above) but it was on the website and the characters are kinda confusing to know who are people talking but I think with rest of notes it will hopefully make sense! Thanks again for all your participation!!!

 

Chapter Six (VI)

·        Hrothgar is talking of Beowolf and only legends have been told (like rumors in today’s world) of how strong and great Beowolf is

·        They thank god (grateful) for having him send Beowolf to relive them of Grendel and his destruction

·        Grateful for someone/thing that they haven’t even met yet, they just know rumors and stories about.

·        Like society today when we want to ay someone for their service but really we should just be grateful for their service and sacrifice to be there rather than having to pay them to make ourselves feel better about “hassling them”

·        heros don’t get hassled, they just go out and do because that’s their “job”

·        People get mad about Beowolf not taking the money and gold but why should he? He did a good deed and shouldn’t it just be left to that?

·        Beowolf gets message that Hrothgar will accept him and his kin in his own kingdom for Beowolf’s bravery

·        Beolwolf replies by giving story of his own battles and how he came to be known as a strong man. He fought animals and his foes, many at a time, for his people (the Geats) and to avenge them (symbol of hero)

·        Beowolf knows his duty, in specific to defeating Grendel, and knows that he must use only himself and no other armor

·        knowledgeable of situation and knows what needs to be done. Doesn’t put brawn over brains

·        “So, from thee, thou sovran of the Shining-Danes, Scyldings'-bulwark, a boon I seek, and, Friend-of-the-folk, refuse it not, O Warriors'-shield, now I've wandered far, that I alone with my liegemen here, this hardy band, may Heorot purge!” - I am not sure what he means by I have wandered too far?

·        He knows he might die in battle and respects the “rules” of battle and lets his family know that if he is to die in battle, they shouldn’t worry about burying him properly.

·        Practical but still with hope that he will win the battle with faith

 

Chapter Seven (VII)

·        Hrothgar retells story of brother’s, Heorogar, death.

·        Killed by war between Wylfings and Scyldings over money and gold

·        Shows destruction of materialistic world and consequences of it

·        “Then was this mead-house at morning tide dyed with gore, when the daylight broke, all the boards of the benches blood-besprinkled, gory the hall: I had heroes the less,” - descriptive language of how warriors died trying to defeat Grendel. Revenge Hrothgar wants. Passionate

·        Sit to eat after this gruesome story, shows culture and how they take death as a apart of life but then want revenge for wrongful deaths as do we in today’s world

 

Chapter 8 (VIII)

·        Always refer to seafarers to tell a rumor or story, Why?

·        Enferth (son of Ecglaf) questioned Beowolf’s ability to actually fight Grendel and told of story where Beowolf and “rival” Breca swam the seas together and then Breca got out of the sees unharmed but he worries that Beowolf is not strong like Breca.

·        Questioning of strength is key in hero battle/adventure because it makes the hero think about his/her strength and if they really can achieve their goal

·        Also gives background to Beowolf and adventures

·        Questions that Beowolf will do anything without really thinking about it or consequences

·        Beowolf reinforces that he is ready and states that he was a child and didn’t know better but he did bring swords for protection

·        He stayed by Breca until the very end until it was impossible to stay together because of the seas tearing them apart

·        Beowolf defeated the beast of the sea and that shows give evidence behind why he is worthy of fighting Grendel

·        He supports this accusation on inadequacy and backs up his point with evidence as seen in today’s culture with giving effective opinions and if you want people to believe you then you give them reasons to

·        He proves himself time and time again which is what a hero has to do because the people are putting their faith into him and they want credibility 

Beowulf Notes:

Chapter 9:

·        Beowulf encounters evil sea monsters that make him feel threatened. So he kills them with his sword. He kills nine of them and they will never bother the sailors again. This is when he was separated from Breca. Reminds me of Moby Dick in a sense.

·        He fought a difficult battle and the tides ended up taking him to the land of the Fins.

·        Breca was on of Beowulf’s closest kin, but he left Beowulf in the sea where he had to fight giants on his own, but Beowulf doesn’t wish war with him. Beowulf believes that his bad will come to him.

·        Grendel is the son of Ecglaf. Grendel was very jealous of Hrothgar so he brought him humiliation. Now Grendel would “rot in hell”. (Dante’s Inferno)

·        Beowulf fears no feud with the Danish; he will fight, murder and eat with them and the next day finds out the strength of the Geats.

·        Beowulf will fight with them and Hrothgar, jewel-giver, is pleased with his will to fight. The queen snickers at this but still continues to wear her gold and carried the cup of the hall.

·        The queen walked around the hall, first giving the king a drink (Hrothgar), and then giving the rest a drink. She was so happy that Beowulf had committed to fight with the Geats and if he didn’t help win the battle he would die in the process.

·        The queen thanked the lord for her Savior, Beowulf.

·        The son of Healfdene wants to get to bed, but speaks with Beowulf before he goes. They speak of the hopeful glory for the battle the next morning. Beowulf will remain in the hall bequeathing, or giving the power over to him. Healfdene’s son would obtain the power over the hall, which was called Heorot Hall, for the night. ( A will? In case he died in battle the next day, Healfdene would inherit the power?)

Chapter 10

·        Hrothgar and Wealhtheow, the queen, go to bed, but have a guard watch their room in order to prevent the monster from getting to them. The monster being Grendel. (Frankenstein was a monster to everyone)

·        Beowulf retires for the night and has a guard watch his armor, but he challenges the monster to a battle without armor or weapons. He says the gods will decide who is right.

·        Everyone laid down to rest not fearing of dying or not returning home the next day. Although many people had not made it back, they had no worries.

·        Metaphor of one man being different than the rest to god ruling over man-kind. Was Beowulf starting to earn the reputation of a god?

·        Beowulf was the only man to lie awake looking at the wandering shadow in the hall. Beowulf could only think of the upcoming battle and would not sleep.