[the] ENGLISH-BLOG [.com]

4. (1) Identify who/what plays the role of a/the “ring-giver” in this epic and (2) give an example of “ring-giving” and explain what it represents.

The Lord is the ring-giver. A ring giver is usually the king and it is someone who gives sort of a reward for a job well done. Usually the king got all of the treasure after a battle so he would give a piece of it to a warrior for vanquishing a foe.

Anna R
Engl 225
CA01
Oct 16th, 2008
Dr. Hobbs

Question 6.
Grendel and his mother are both monsters descending from Cain. The reason why Grendel wanted to attack the Danes was because of loneliness and bitterness which he developed over the years due to not having any friends and being an outskirt to everyone. When Grendel is killed eventually by Beowulf, his mother gets angry and wants revenge on Beowulf. That is the reason for her attack; however, she is also killed by Beowulf.

2. Identify the religious background(s) of both (1) the characters in the poem and (2) the poet who apparently composed and recorded their story.
The introduction leads us to believe that this is a pre-Christian society, leading me to say that this area was of the Norse religion. The poet however is clearly Christian cutting out almost all mention on any of the Norse god’s names and making it so one might think that even these people believed in Christianity.

Walter Perkins
Eng 225
CA 01
Dr. Hobbs

10-15-08 Checking Quiz

1. Antongist are Grendel, Grendel mother and Dragon
2. They are Pageans. They worship multiple Gods.
3. Geographic Regions are sweden, Danes, Denmark, Anglo-Saxons.
4. King gives gifts. gives them to his companion. Represent loyalty.
5. Origin of Grendel's Mother. Killed by Beowulf, Came from Cain. Cain killed Abel
6. Grendel attacks because he was lonely and separated from humanity. Grendel Mother attacks because Grendel was killed and wanted revenge.
7. Kill monsters, dragons. Winning. Being the best
8. Cope, bard. Tells stories, musicals.
9. Trials. Danes and Swedes, Danish royalty house. Geats and Swedes.
10. Violence. Be a man, be tough. irony because in civiliazation the goal is for everyone to get along, but with violence we are worshipped.

10. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain what other “great triumphs” Beowulf accredited to his “younger” self when he first greeted King Hrothgar at Heorot.

When Beowulf met with King Hrothgar at Heorot, he told him all about his accomplishments when he was younger. He told the king how his awesome strength is known by everyone and that:
“They had seen me bolstered in the blood of enemies
when I battled and bound five beasts,
raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea
slaughtered sea-brutes. I have suffered extremes
and avenged the Geats (their enemies brought it
upon themselves; I devastated them). (419-424)

Quinten Jones
ENG 225 CA01
October 18, 2008

Paola Silvestri
ENG 225
Question 1
Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain why “a young prince,” such as Beowulf “must be prudent […] giving freely while his father lives.”
A// This quotation is talking about Beowulf being the son of Shield. A young prince must be prudent while his father lives so that when he becomes an adult, he is respected and admired. “So that afterwards in age when fighting starts/ steadfast companions will stand by him/and hold the line/Behavior that is admired is the path to power among people everywhere.” (Pg. 1632; Lines 22-25) If Beowulf is prudent while growing up he will have many companions surrounding him, who will admire and respect him. Prudent behavior is what will give Beowulf power among people everywhere.
Norton Anthology of World Literature. Beowulf. Volume B; pg. 1626-1702

4. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain what Hrothgar was said to have done in the Prologue (and, was thereafter known for) after he had been favored by the “fortunes of war.”

It was explained that Hrothgar was favored by the fortunes of war because he used all his money to build a mead-hall for everyone to drink and spend time together. This was a place that all people of Hrothgar could go and tell war stories and be honored by the king. Hrothgar “handed down orders for men to work on a great mead-hall meant to be the wonder of the world forever” (line 69-70) pp. 1633. Throughout the story everyone is always gathering in the mead-hall to have big meetings and hear stories or war and battle. For example this would be just a place that you would go to hang out with all your friends and have a good time. It was a place for everyone to go and have fun.

Lawall, Sarah, ed. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Maynyard Mack. 2nd

ed. Vol. A. Ser. 3. New York, NY: W. W Norton & Company, Inc, 2002. 2-1199.

--.”Beowulf”.Trans. Seamus Heaney, Lawall, Sarah. pp.1633.

Alex Slavin
October 19-08
English 225
Dr. Hobbs
Question 2
Quiz
2. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain what happened to the person known as “Shield” and what his “warrior band” of Danes did for him afterwards.
-His name is Shield Sheafson and he builds a mead hall called Heorot where his warriors can gather to drink and receive gifts and exchange stories. “His warrior band did what he bade them when he laid down the law among the Danes: they shouldered him out to the sea’s flood, the chief they revered who had long ruled them”. (pg. 1632, 28-31) Shield Sheafson has traveled far and saved this group of Danes; they were in his debt. When it was time for him to leave they praised him. “They stretched their beloved lord in his boat, laid out by the mast, amidships, the great ring-giver”. (pg. 1632, 34-36) Shield Sheafson was sent out to see with more treasure then he knew what do with. When he reached the world of Heorogar, Hrothgar, he wanted to continue his leadership and gave orders to men to build the great mead-hall that people continue to come and tell their tales.

"Beowulf." The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Second ed. Vol. B. 1632-1634.

Anna R
Engl 225
CA01
Oct 19th, 2008
Dr. Hobbs

8. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain what “lays” are and about whom they were sung when “Grendel ruled in defiance of right.” What were their “tone”? Note: you have already read several “Lays” by Marie de France for this course.

In the lines of “Sad lays were sung about the beset king, / the vicious raids and ravages of Grendel,/ his long and unrelenting feud” (pg 1635, line 151) it is explained why lays were sung. Grendel was a lonely and bitter beast, who attacked the Danes and killed everything in sight every night he came to their land. Since he was lonely, he went to Heorot at night to listen to the bards but when he heard the songs about god’s creation of the earth, he got mad and started ravaging since his family is said to descend from Cain, the evil son of Adam and Eve and murder of his brother of Abel. “Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcasts. For the killing of Abel” (Pg 1634, line 106). A lai is a song form which was composed in Northern Europe and had a lamenting tone. Whether they were about love, war or death, they were lamenting and written in poetic style with different stanzas.

Mack, Maynard. World Literature. New York: W.W. Norton&Company, 2002.

Kamille G

10. Integrating quotations from the text to explain and bolster your answer, explain what other “great triumphs” Beowulf accredited to his “younger” self when he first greeted King Hrothgar at Heorot. Be specific, not general, and cite the line numbers and page(s) where your answers are found.

When Beowulf first greets King Hrothgar at the Hereot he informs King Hrothgar that in the past he has succeeded in significant battles when he says, “When I was younger, I had great triumphs” (lines 408-409). Beowulf then tells Hrothgar what his actual triumphs were when he explains to Hrothgar about his victory in his battles with five beasts when he says, “They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts,” (lines 419-420), and also refers to his victory in killing the sea-brutes when he says, “and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes.” (line 421-422). Beowulf then goes on to say that he has succeeded in raiding a troll-nest when he says, “when I … raided a troll-nest” (lines420-421), and avenging the Geats when he says, “I have suffered extremes and avenged the Geats… I devastated them” (lines 423-424).

Heaney, Seamus. “Beowulf.” The Norton Anthology of World Literature.
Sarah Lawall, ed. New York: W.W.Norton, 2002.

Kamille G
English 225 Sec. 1
20/10/08

Brandon Mckoy

October 20th 2008

MWF 12:30-1:20

1. Integrating quotations from the text to explain and bolster your answer, explain why “a young prince”, such as Beowulf “must be prudent […] giving freely while his father lives.” Be specific, not general, and cite the line numbers and page(s) where your answers are found.

In the text, page 1632 lines 20-24 states that Beowulf, “A young prince must be prudent like that/giving freely while his father lives/so that afterward in age when fighting starts/steadfast companions will stand by him and hold the line”. This means that Beowulf must make wise decisions that will benefit all and provide for the future, because when his father is no longer around he is on his own and will need the people to fight along with him. Therefore he needs to show and prove to the people that he is a good leader and can make decisions with good judgment and sense so that they will trust him and fight with him. Line 24-25 states “behavior that’s admired is the path to power among people everywhere” which backs up what I was saying that Beowulf need to make wise decisions and have good behavior that the people admires so he will have that power with them.

strahil s.

Dr. Hobbs

ENG-225

October 20, 2008

9. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain who challenged the Geats with the phrase “What kind of men are you?” What was this person’s occupation/purpose and why might have he been concerned?

The watchman challenges the Geats upon their arrival at Dane's shores. His duty is to watch the waters for comers who may bring danger to his people.

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Dr. Hobbs

Myles Godet
October 20, 2008
English 225
12:30

5. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain, explain who (and where) the “prowler” was and why, exactly, he was “harrowed.”

In the poem Beowulf the character of Grendal is considered to be a “prowler”. This is because Grendal is a descendent of Cain. The descendents of Cain like Cain were banished from society as a result of Cain killing his brother Able (106–107). As a result of being an outcast his entire life Grendal developed jealousy and hatred towards the rest of society. He preyed on Hrothgar's warriors in the king’s mead hall and was known for being very menacing and showing no remorse for his actions (137).

Question #2
While still in good health Shield died, and as a tribute to their good king his warriors gave him a pagan burial as he requested. (30-35) “Far-fetched treasures were piled upon him, and precious gear…. Bladed weapons and coats of mail.” (36-40) were set upon him on the boat at set adrift. (pg. 1632-1633)

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Failed to follow instructions: Question was not re-typed and no MLA citation of work cited. See other students' entries.

Dr. Hobbs

ENG 225
Oct. 20th
Dr. Hobbs

3. Integrating quotations from the text to explain and bolster your answer, explain what, exactly, "fell to Beow" after the death of "Shield." How was he "regarded" and whom did he rule? Who were his children? Be specific, not general, and cite the line numbers and page(s) where your answers are found.

After the fall of Shield Sheafson, the forts fall to Beowulf after he is able to escape. "Thence Beowulf fled
through strength of himself and his swimming power,
though alone, and his arms were laden with thirty
coats of mail, when he came to the sea!" (Gutenberg Beowulf Line 1930-1932) Beowulf is well regarded and rules the Danes for many years. Beowulf has no children and after his death, Wiglaf is named king.

Widger, David The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beowulf: July 23rd 2008

3. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain what , exactly, “fell to Beow” after the death of “Shield.” How was he “regarded” and whom did he rule? Who were his children?
Sheild was the ruler of the north and and the people he ruled thought highly of him. He had a son and his name was Grain and when he died Beowulf ruled his land.

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Note from Professor:

Failed to follow instructions: No quotations integrated into the text, no in-text parenthetical citations with page numbers and line numbers of quotations, and no MLA citation of work cited.

Dr. Hobbs

Shayne Tavares
Eng 225 12:30-1:20

7. Identify to whom “the Eternal Lord had exacted a price” for “the killing of Abel” and what, exactly, that price was. Be specific, not general, and cite the line numbers and page(s) where your answers are found.

Answer: In the story of Beowulf they provide a background story as to the origin of both Grendel and his mother. The character who had received was exacted a price for killing Able, was his own brother Cane. Cane killed Able out of jealousy due to Cane’s sacrifice not begin rejected and not Able’s. The punishment, or price exacted by the Eternal Lord to Cane was punishment from his current home land known to him and a make given to him which would be passed down from each generation of his family.
Citation: This can be found in the introduction of Beowulf Volume B

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Note from Professor:

No quotations integrated into the text, no in-text parenthetical citations with page numbers and line numbers of quotations, and no MLA citation of work cited See other student's entries.

Dr. Hobbs

Walter Perkins
Engl 225
CA01
10-19-08
Dr. Hobbs

8. Integrating quotations from text to explain and bolster your answer, explain what “lays” are and about whom they were sung when “Grendel ruled in defiance of right. “ What were their “tone”? Note: you have already read several “Lais” by Marie de France for this course. Be specific, not general, and cite the line numbers and page (s) where your answers are found.

On page 1635, line 151 it states “Sad lays were sung about the beset king, the vicious raids and ravages of Grendel, his long unrelenting feud”. The line explains why the lays were sung. Grendel was shunned from humanity and very biter and he attacked the Danes because of those reasons. Grendel had multiple attacks on the Danes at night and killed everything moving. Grendel would go to Heorot and listen to them sing songs about God’s creation of Earth and would get very angry as a result. Grendel family is descended from Cain, who is the evil son of Adam and Eve who killed his brother Abel. A lay is a song that is composed in Northern Europe with a lamenting tone. The songs either talked about love, war or death or were very poetic in style.

6. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain the function and place of the “skilled poet,” what his “clear song” was about, and how it made the “prowler” feel.
“the clear song of a skilled poet / telling with mastery of man’s beginnings,” (page 1634 line 90-91) telling of “Cain’s clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts” (page 1634 line 106-107) this upset Grendel who then began to cause trouble “Grendel was the name of this grim demon / haunting the marches, marauding round the heath / and the desolate fens;” (page 1634 line 102-104). If the Christian author was right then it is a shame that the poet decided to recount man’s beginning.

“Beowulf." Lawall, Sarah. The Norton Anthology of World Literature book B. Ed. Maynard Mack. New York: Norton & Company Inc., 2002. 1626-1702.

D.J. Garry
Dr. Hobbs
English 225
20 October 2008
Beowulf
6. Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain the function and place of the “skilled poet,” what his “clear song” was about, and how it made the “prowler” feel.
The skilled poet was a bard or a jester. He entertained guests in the mead hall with songs that were telling stories. His clear song was about how God created the earth. This is explained in the following quote, “telling the mastery of man’s beginnings” (Lawall 1634). This made the prowler feel lonely and angry.

Beowulf. Norton Anthology of World Literature : 100-1500 with Inserts. Ed. Sarah Lawall. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2002. 1634.

Myron Kirchner
ENG 225
M-W-F
Following the instructions given to you in-class, explain who challenged the Geats with the phrase “What kind of men are you?” What was this person’s occupation/purpose and why might have he been concerned?

The Watchmen at the coast was the one who asked Beowulf and his warrior this question. He is supposed to guard the coast against possible spies and invaders. He was intimidated by the presence of these, but most of all he was intimidated by the sight of the Beowulf. He guessed right away that Beowulf is some sort of a hero.

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Note from Professor:

Failed to follow instructions: No quotations integrated into the text, no in-text parenthetical citations with page numbers and line numbers of quotations, and no MLA citation of work cited. See other student's entries.

Dr. Hobbs

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*NOTE* The deadline for this particular assignment has now passed. Any comments listed below are *ONLY* for the reposting of comments that I specifically asked to be revised or are ones from non-student posters. Any 'student' posts below that missed the assignment deadline will not get credit for the assignment.

~ Dr. Hobbs

Neal Carter II
Dr. Hobbs
ENG-225
20 October 2008

5. Integrating quotations from the text to explain and bolster your answer, explain who (and where) the “prowler” was and why,
exactly, he was “harrowed.” Be specific, not general, and cite the line numbers and page(s) where your answers are found.

The prowler was Grendel, he was an outcast, “Then a powerful demon, a prowler through the dark, Nursed a hard grievance”. Grendel haunted the marshes and heaths around the Danes, with their king, Hrothgar. He was harrowed because he is aggravated at being an outsider, and feels affronted when he has to see the blissful festivities of Heorot hall, “It harrowed him To hear the din of the loud banquet” that was built by Hrothgar. (Beowulf, 86-89; 101)

Maynard, Mack and Lawall, Sarah. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Beowulf. Volume A. New York. W.W. Norton and Company, Inc, 2002. 101.

5. After their arrival to Denmark, the Geats meet Hrothgar’s “herald.” Who is he? What does he tell them? What does he tell Hrothgar? What does Hrothgar respond? Are you surprised that Hrothgar knows Beowulf so well?

A herald is a messenger. Hrothgar’s herald is Wulfgar, “a Wendel chief/renowned as a warrior, well known for his wisdom/and the temper of his mind” (Lines 348-350, page 1639). He tells them to state their business and then that he “will take this message,/in accordance with your wish, to our noble kind” (Lines 350-351, page 1639). He then goes and tells Hrothgar:
People from Geatland have put ashore.
They have sailed far over the wide sea.
They call the chief in charge of their band
by the name of Beowulf. They beg, my lord,
an audience with you, exchange of words
and formal greeting. (Lines 361-366, page 1640)

Hrothgar then responds saying:
I used to know him when he was a young boy.
His father before him was called Ecgtheow.
Hrethel the Geat gave Ecgtheow
His daughter in marriage. Thie man is their son,
Here to follow up an old friendship. (Lines 372-276, page 1640)

It wasn’t a surprise for me that Hrothgar knew Beowulf because I think in the introduction it says that Beowulf is his nephew or cousin or something.

17. Why has Grendel's mother come to Heorot? Is it the same reason Grendel had?
It was clear that Grendel’s mother was upset about the death of her son. She felt that she needed to take revenge on the people of Heorot. “She came to Heorot. There, inside the hall, Dane’s lay asleep, earls who would soon endure a great reversal, once Grendel’s mother attacked and entered” (line 1279-1281, p. 1661). It was not until after the death of her soon did Grendel’s mother hear the noise and become very angry. “Then it became clear obvious to everyone once the fight was over, that an avenger lurked and was still alive, grimly biding time” (1255-1258, p. 1661).
Lawall, Sarah, ed. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Maynyard Mack. 2nd
ed. Vol. A. Ser. 3. New York, NY: W. W Norton & Company, Inc, 2002. 2-1199.
--.”Beowulf: Another Attack”. Trans. Seamus Heaney, Lawall, Sarah. Pp. 1661-1663.

Alex Slavin

October 21-08

English 225

Dr. Hobbs

Quiz 2

19. Grendel’s mother kills whom in retaliation for her son’s death? Where does Grendel’s mother live?

-Grendel’s mother kills Aeschere, Hrothgar’s trusted advisor in retaliation for her son’s death. “Then this roaming killer came in a fury and slaughtered him in Heorot. Where she is hiding, glutting on the corpse and glorying in her escape, I cannot tell; she has taken up the feud because of last night, when you killed Grendel” (line 1330, p. 1662). After her she committed the murder, she resides back to where she lives and she lives in a swamp. Beowulf travels to her swamp to seek revenge; “they dwell apart among wolves on the hills, on windswept crags and treacherous keshes, where cold streams pour down the mountain and disappear under mist and moorland” (line 1356, p. 1663). Beowulf dives into Grendel’s mother’s lair in the swamp and kills her.

D.J. Garry
Dr. Hobbs
English 225 CA01
21 October 2008
10. Once Beowulf has arrived, what happens when Grendel enters Heorot? How does Beowulf fight with him? What happens when Grendel tries to leave? Does Grendel escape? What does he leave behind?
Beowulf put up more fight than any other man has to Grendel. This is shown in the following quote, “The captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in a man” (lines 749-751, p. 1648). Grendel leaves the hall but, he leaves behind his arm because Beowulf rips it off with his strong grip. This is also explained in a quote, “the hero had displayed high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel’s shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp” (lines 833-835, p. 1650). Even though Grendel escapes, his wounds are fatal, he will soon die.
Beowulf. Norton Anthology of World Literature : 100-1500 with Inserts. Ed. Sarah Lawall. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2002. 1648-650.

Kamille G
6. What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar when he enters Heorot? What did Hrothgar do for Beowulf's father?
When Beowulf enters the Heorot he describes his historical background to Hrothgar. He tells Hrothgar that he is Hygelac’s kinsman “I am Hygelac’s kinsman, one of his hall-troop” (line 407-408, p.1641), who has succeeded in many battles in the past when he says, “When I was younger, I had great triumphs” (line 408-409, p.1641). Beowulf describes some of his accomplishments to Hrothgar and says “I battled and bound five beasts, raided a troll nest… slaughtered sea-brutes” (lines 420-422 p. 1641). Beowulf then informs Hrothgar that he has come to conquer Grendel when he says, “Now I mean to be a match for Grendel ” (line 425 p.1642), and he hopes that Hrothgar will give him permission to do so, “my one request is that you won’t refuse me” (lines 429-430 p. 1641). Hrothgar settled the feud with the Wulfings and Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, after he “With his own hands … killed Heatholaf ” (line 460, p.1642) who was a Wulfing. Hrothgar resolved this feud by sending treasure to the Wulfings “I shipped a treasure-trove to the Wulfings” (line 471 p.1642), and thus saved Ecgtheow from the Wulfings’ war.

Kamille G
Eng. 225 Sec.1
22/10/08

[Prologue: The Rise of the Danish Nation] (lines 1-85)
1. Realize that this prologue introduces the Danes, not Beowulf or his people the Geats. What was unusual about the way Shield came to be ruler of the Danes? What was his funeral like? What relation is Hrothgar to Shield?
He became ruler of the Danes by having his tribe take over all of the other ones and them being forced to worship him. For his funeral, every tribe had to pay tribute to him. In regard to Hrothgar, Shield was his great grandfather. He was the son of Halfdane, who was the son of Beow, who in turn was the son of Shield.

strahil s

Dr. Hobbs

ENG-225

October 22, 2008

7. Of what, specifically, does Unferth accuse Beowulf? What is Beowulf’s reply to Unferth? How is this episode relevant to the poem as a whole? Of what does Beowulf accuse Unferth?

Unferth questions Beowulf’s heroic character. Is this Beowulf the same one who lost a swimming contest? If this is the same Beowulf, how could he possibly win against Grendel? In the obvious aspect Beowulf calls Unferth a drunk and a coward. The reasoning is that if there was any heroism in Unferth (and the Danes) there simply wouldn’t have been the need for Beowulf to arrive at the scene and deal with their problem. On a deeper level though, we can really begin to see Christian motifs running through this otherwise pagan story about northern heroism and honor. The conflict between Unferth and Beowulf indirectly lays lines from the Bible such as: “Actions speak louder than words,” and “help thy neighbor.” From this perspective we can begin to question ourselves if Beowulf is just about heroism, honor, and all other important aspects of the Scandinavian people at that time, or if the work is a vehicle for the author’s Christian point of view and tribute to God, with who’s help good prevails over evil. OK, enough bullshit for today guys…

Myles Godet
October 21, 2008
English 225
12:30

3. What does Beowulf do when he hears of Hrothgar’s problems with Grendel?

When he hears of the problem that king Hrothgar is having with Grendel he decides that he wishes to help. Therefore he and a number of his fellow warriors leave there their home of Geatland on a voyage to offer their help to king Hrothgar the Danish king. When they reach Daneland Beowulf and his men are taken to the Dane’s mead hall to meet the king. Upon meeting with the king he is warmly greeted and treated to a feast. He tells the king of how he wishes to help him and his people by killing Grendel the troll that has tormented their village. The king accepts this offer and Beowulf in short order accomplishes what he came to do.

Brandon Mckoy
Eng 225 MWF 12:30-1:20
October 22nd 2008

4. Whom do the Geats first meet when they arrive in Denmark? What does he do, and what do they do?
The Geats first meet a coast guard when they arrived to the shore of Denmark. The guard is a watchman whose task is to watch the sea-cliffs when he see’s the Geat’s boat come ashore and the men vaulting over the side. The Geats moored their boat and began unloading their battle equipment. The guard saw this and had to find out what the arrivals were, he rode his horse down to the shore to question the Geats and asked “what kind of men are you who arrive rigged out for combat in your coats of mail, sailing here over the sea lanes in your steep-hulled boat?” (line 237-240, p. 1637)Beowulf, who was doing all the talking for the Geats, tells the guard that they can show Hrothgar a way to defeat his enemy and they have come to help. The guard orders his comrades to guard the Geat’s boat. The guard led the Geats the timbered hall and then left them to go back and guard to sea cliff.
After the guard the Geats come to meet Wulfgar, Hrothgar’s herald and officer. Beowulf speaks to Wulfgar and ask him to ask Hrothgar for a formal geeting and if they can be an audience with him. Hrothgar sends a message to Beowulf and the Geats that he knows Beowulf’s father, they are welcomed there and that they are free to move forward to meet Hrothgar.

Neal Carter II
Dr. Hobbs
ENG-225
20 October 2008
[Heorot is Attacked] (lines 86-188)
2. What magnificent work did Hrothgar undertake? Who attacked it, and with what result? How long did the attacks last? What was the response of the Danes?
King Hrothgar, of the Danes, undertook the magnificent work of building Heorot; the great hall for banquets and prize and gift giving, “It came in his mind to bid his henchmen a hall uprear, ia master mead-house, mightier far than ever was seen by the sons of earth, and within it, then, to old and young he would all allot that the Lord had sent him, save only the land and the lives of his men”(line 67, p101). Grendel, the outcast demon was so perturbed by the noises of the festivities that it decided to end the Danes’ celebrations. Thus, in a surprise attack on the hall, one night Grendel slaughters thirty sleeping men, “Unhallowed wight, grim and greedy, he grasped betimes, wrathful, reckless, from resting-places, thirty of the thanes, and thence he rushed fain of his fell spoil, faring homeward, laden with slaughter, his lair to seek” (line120, p101). This murdering streak is repeated the next night and for twelve years following, he kills the Danes in such assaults. King Hrothgar, is grief stricken as no one can sleep safely in the hall and not even their own warriors can protect them.

Maynard, Mack and Lawall, Sarah. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Beowulf. Volume A. New York. W.W. Norton and Company, Inc, 2002. 101.

Anna R
Oct 21st, 2008
Engl 225. CA01
Dr. Hobbs

1. Realize that this prologue introduces the Danes, not Beowulf or his people the Geats. What was unusual about the way Shield came to be ruler of the Danes? What was his funeral like? What relation is Hrothgar to Shield?

Shield Sheafson is the king of the Danes as well as the founder of the royal line. What is special about him is that he was not born into a rich family of royalty; he was abandoned by his parents which in fact made him more powerful and stronger. When Shield died after a great time of ruling and being loved by his people, the Danes granted him a big funeral where his dead body was placed in a boat within armor and treasury and sent off to the sea, just as his life had begun in first place. ”They deckled his body no less bountifully / with offerings than those first ones did / who cast him away when he was a child / and launched him alone out over the waves” (line 43, pg 1633). Hrothgar is the third descendant after Shield to become king and did this with great success.

12. At the celebration, how does Hrothgar respond to Beowulf's deed? What does he offer to do for him? What does Unferth have to say now?
When the king came out to greet the people at the celebration he was glad that the burden of Grendel was taken from him. He adopted Beowulf into his heart as his son and he said that in his eyes Beowulf was immortal (line 945-953, pg. 1652). He also said that Beowulf will want for nothing. Unferth was amazed because many others had tried and could not kill Grendel. So he did not say much he mostly stood there in amazement (line 980-985, pg. 1653).

Walter Perkins
Engl 225
CA01
10-21-08
Dr. Hobbs

15. Wealhtheow gives Beowulf a large, broad necklace. What later happens to it? What does Wealhtheow ask Beowulf to do?

The meaning of the necklace that is given to Beowulf from Wealhtheow represents the bond of loyalty between her people and Beowulf. It is symbolic because Hygelac died in battle wearing it, which furthers the thought that it meant continuity. Wealhtheow said this to Beowulf as she handed him the golden torque “Take delight in this torque, dear Beowulf, wear it for luck and wear also this mail from our people’s armory: may you prosper in them!”(Line 1216-1218, page 1660). This quote expresses that Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to wear it in future battles for good luck. Beowulf accepts the gifts from Wealhtheow and wears the “towering war-helmet, webbed mail-shirt, golden torque and great-shafted spear” with honor and during future battles (Lines 1245-1246, page 1660).

13. At the first celebration, the singer sings of Finn during the feasting. The exact details of the Finn story are not clear, but in general, what happens? What does it suggest about the wisdom of using a woman as a bride to heal enmity between tribes?
It sounds to me as if the initial plan to have peace worked, at least for a year,”until another year” (line 1134). However this bride only wished for vengeance for she did not wish to be a bride of the other tribe, “longing woke / in the cooped-up exile for a voyage home-- / but more for vengeance” (line 1138-1140). This lets me believe that a woman bride to quell enmity is not a good idea unless maybe she wanted to be the bride of another tribe.

#20
The “mere” is a lake or pool near where Grendel lived, and in which he drowned. The water was described as “bloodshot… (with) loathsome upthrows and overturnings of waves and gore and would-slurry.” Grendel found this mere, and on the verge of death, threw himself into it and drowned. (pg. 1650 ln. 846-851)

Jonathan Till
10-21-08
Eng 225.

“What is Hrothgar’s response to the attack of Grendel’s Mother? Whom has she killed?”
Grendel’s Mother is initially consumed by rage over the death of her son, and wishes to seek revenge against all those who wronged her. “Grendel’s mother, monstrous hell bride, brooded on her wrongs” (lines 1258-1260, p. 1661). Grendel’s mother attacks Heorot and wreaks destruction where she passes. The one she kills is Aeschere “He was Yrmenfal’s elder brother and a soul mate to me, a true mentor” (line 1323-1325, p. 1662). Hrothgar himself offers to pay great wealth upon whomever ends the feud.

Myron Kirchner
ENG-225
Beowulf Quiz 2
Heroic poetry normally has a scene in which the hero arms for battle. What is different about Beowulf’s preparations for his fight with Grendel?

Unlike other heroic figures in poems and Epic Beowulf preparation involved taking of his armor and giving his weapon away. He did this because he was told that Grendel did not use armor or weapons. He figured that he would be equal to Grendel during the fight if he was unarmed. Another reason for not using the sword is because Grendel cannot be hurt by any human weapon.

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*NOTE* The deadline for this particular assignment has now passed. Any comments listed below are *ONLY* for the reposting of comments that I specifically asked to be revised or are ones from non-student posters. Any 'student' posts below that missed the assignment deadline will not get credit for the assignment. ~ Dr. Hobbs

The movie Beowulf has mostly the same basic story as the book we are reading, but there are some major differences. Near the beginning of the book, it talks about how Beowulf and Breca race across the ocean by swimming, and how Breca wins; the movie shows Beowulf come to shore before Breca, saying that they were on a ship that was sank. The book is pretty serious in the action and dialogue, but the movie actors and script has a comedic touch in a lot of different places. A major difference in the movie is that Grendel takes his time attacking; it takes a few nights before he attacks because he says that Beowulf hasn’t wronged him whereas the book he just comes the first night and attacks. The book says Beowulf pins Grendel and practically rips off his arm but the movie shows Grendel doing it. There’s a witch in the movie that tells how people die and even bears Grendel’s daughter, but in the book, Grendel doesn’t have a daughter and there is no witch.

There were many differences between the text Beowulf and the film version Beowulf. The first main one was the way that the story started. In the film version there was Beowulf’s father that was mentioned. In the text there was no sign of Beowulf’s father recurring his son. It showed how the King of Shields was drunk all the time in the film version and not really that much in the text version. In the movie Beowulf would take back the heads of people and in the test hew would take back the whole corpse to the cave and pile them there. Also, when Beowulf first came on the island in the text version the kings guards had to go back and tell him first of his arrival to see if he could come back but in the movie Beowulf was just sent to the king without approval. Another big difference in the two stories was that Beowulf cut off his own arm in the battle during the movie and in the text Beowulf cut his arm off. During the actual fight with Grendel it only took Grendel coming to the mead-hall once in the text. However, during the movie Grendel came back more than once before the attack actually occurred. Also, Grendel had sex with the witch and produced a child. In the text version there was no notice of this.

D.J. Garry
Dr. Hobbs
Eng. 225 CA01
22 October 2008
Beowulf Book Vs. Movie
When comparing the book Beowulf, with the movie Beowulf and Grendel there are several things that were different. The first thing that I noticed was that the movie begins with Grendel and his father. His father was not mentioned at all in the book. Another difference in the movie is that the movie is much more realistic. Grendel and his mother are not as supernatural; they are made to be more humanistic. The movie also has Grendel’s son which is not mentioned in the book. Another difference is that in the book, Beowulf kills Grendel the in the first night. In the movie, it is not until several nights later that Beowulf kills Grendel.

Eng 225 - CA01
October 23rd, 2008

When watching Beowulf and Grendel, i found a lot of differences from the original story. One of the big things I found different was not something that actually happened in the story but how the characters were portrayed. For example, when I read Beowulf, I portrayed Beowulf as a "mountain of a man." I would almost say a mix between man and beast. When I saw him in the story, he seemed to be more weak than i thought. Also in a few of his battles, he didn't outright win.

Another part of the story that I felt was much different was Salem. I never remember there being a Salem in the original story. Also, I found it pretty weird that Salem was the father of Grendel's child. I liked the way that the movie Beowulf and Grendel was made, but I felt that they missed some vital points in the movie and should have left some parts out to not confuse people who know the story.

Brandon Mckoy
Eng 225 MWF 12:30-1:20
October 23rd, 2008

What are the major and minor differences between the text of Beowulf and the film Beowulf and Grendel which we screened?
There where a few signification changes incorporated into the film which was not in the text. For one, the poem did not start as the movie did with Hrothgar killing Grendels’s father. Actually, the text did not mention Grendel’s father at all or anything about when Grendel was young. Another thing incorporated in the film that was not in the text was the witch Selma which we saw Beowulf speak to several times and also had intercourse with in the film. Also in the text there was no mention of Grendel having a son however the film showed that he did. These are just a few of the differences between the text Beowulf and the film Beowulf and Grendel.

Kamille G
What are the differences between the film version of Beowulf and Grendel and the text- version of Beowulf?
One of the most apparent differences between the film and text-version are the characters present in each of them. In the film version, three new characters are introduced that were not mentioned in the text-version which includes Selma the witch, Grendel’s father, and Grendel’s son mothered by Selma. In addition, the text-version does not mention that Grendel’s father fell off a cliff after being killed by Hrothgar and his warriors, which created a motive for Grendel to kill the Danes in the Heorot. The film version also illustrates that Grendel’s murdering of Aeschere, was not just random killing or the result of Grendel’s perverse nature, but instead it illustrates that Grendel’s motive to kill him was because Aeschere had destroyed Grendel’s father’s head in the cave. The text-version does not mention any of these motives which Grendel had in the film version. Furthermore, the text-version does not mention that Grendel grew up in a cave where he kept his father’s head that he had cut off from his corpse in the film version. The film version also indicates that Grendel is resistant to fight Beowulf because Beowulf has done nothing to him, while the text version portrays Grendel as someone who was willing to kill anyone who stayed in the Heorot regardless of whether or not he was motivated to do so. Another very small difference is that in the text-version the Danes were drinking mead in the Heorot, while in the film version the Danes were drinking beer.
Kamille G
English 225 Sec. 1
24/10/08

Paola S
ENG 225
10/24/08
BEOWFUL
In the film we watched in class there were several differences in comparison to the text and the recent Beowulf movie. One of the first differences is in the film we watched in class, where it showed how Grendel’s father is killed, and how Grendel is spared. The story in the book has a different beginning; it starts off talking about Beowulf. Another difference is that in the most recent Beowulf movie, Grendel is not a human-looking creature. Rather, he is like a monster and much bigger in size.
A clear difference between the film and the text is how Grendel is killed. In the film Grendel is trapped by Beowulf and hangs from a rope. After a while his arm rips off and he runs off to the beach where he dies. On the other hand, in the text Beowulf cuts Grendel’s arm off and Grendel runs off and dies.
Also in the text it mentions that Beowulf needs a different sword to kill Grendel’s mother, but in the film he kills her with her sword. After killing Grendel’s mother a child appears in the film, but not in the text.

Alex Slavin

October 24-08

English 225

Dr. Hobbs

Beowulf

There are some differences in the story Beowulf compared to the movie we saw in class. In the book, Beowulf sails to Denmark without any complications, while in the movie we see while he is sailing, his arm is grabbed from a creature that lives in the water. It is believed that it is Grendel’s mother and in a way it is almost foreshadowing of what is to come. In the second attack against the Danes, it is said in the book that when Grendel tried to escape that Beowulf cuts his arm off, but in the movie Grendel cuts his own arm off. In the story it tells that Beowulf dives into Grendel’s mother’s lair to kill her and bring up the head of Grendel. In the movie, He does dive into her lair to kill his mother, but does not bring up the head of Grendel. Another difference is that Grendel’s daughter is down in the lair protecting the body of her dead father in the movie. One of the most major differences between the two is that in the text, is taken place in Iceland and in the movie it is taken place in England.

Anna R
Engl 225.01
Dr. Hobbs
Oct 23rd, 2008

Beowulf and Grendel:
In today’s part of the movie we saw how Grendel finally dies and in essence how Grendel’s mother, a beast as well, comes for revenge. What I would have not expected from Grendel’s death is that it was not spectacular. He cut his own arm off and went to die by himself in the ocean, so how is Beowulf responsible for that? Grendel’s mother comes to get revenge on Beowulf and the Danes for her son’s death when in reality he killed himself. We also saw the part of Beowulf fighting Grendel’s mother, which was different from the book as well. It was much more dramatic in the text than the actual movie and some parts were changed and/or left out. Also, in the movie we saw Grendel’s son, who came out of the intercourse with the witch and lives with Grendel’s mother. Beowulf kills her as well and stands in front of Grendel’s son now.

Myron Kirchner
ENG-225
Beowulf poem and film

I thought the film different greatly from the film. I had imagined from reading the poem that Beowulf was ridiculously strong and had no problem disposing of Grendel , yet in the film it was Grendel who injured himself while trying to run away. Beowulf was also fully clothed during the fight, and he didn’t actually wrestle Grendel in Mead Hall. There also a weird side story of a “Witch” named Selma, who is also the mother of Grendel son. Grendel’s father is also introduced into the story, and while he wasn’t mentioned in the poem he does shed a little light on Grendel’s origins.

Walter Perkins
Engl 225
Dr. Hobbs
10-24-08

Beowulf Movie
1. Grendel appears first when he witnesses his father killed. Grendel attacks the city out of revenge and hates the songs that they sing. King Hrothgar gives gifts and blessings to Beowulf at the feast in the hall. Beowulf is first found swimming and leaves Geatland to go help the Danes. The Queen is Hrothgar wife and talked to Beowulf after Grendel’s second attack. She pleaded for Beowulf to kill the beast.
2. a. Selma is missing
b. The Queen is missing
c. The sex scene is added in the movie and not in text
d. Nothing is missing

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*NOTE* The deadline for this particular assignment has now passed. Any comments listed below are *ONLY* for the reposting of comments that I specifically asked to be revised or are ones from non-student posters. Any 'student' posts below that missed the assignment deadline will not get credit for the assignment. ~ Dr. Hobbs

Neal Carter II
Dr. Hobbs
ENG-225
4 November 2008

In Act III Scene 3, what is ironic about Emilia’s comments at the beginning of the scene?

In Act 3.3 of Othello, Emilia says, “Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband,
As if the case were his.” (lines 3-4, page 2952 ). This is ironic since Othello will later in the scene ask Iago to ask his wife Emillia, to observe Desdemona and tell him what she sees. Othello has not been completely persuaded that his wife is unfaithful, but it is Iago who encourages his mistrust of Desmodemona, and this is made possible by Emilia’s help.

Maynard, Mack and Lawall, Sarah. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice.Volume C. New York, W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2002. 2952.

Neal Carter II
Dr. Hobbs
ENG-225
5 November 2008

In Act IV, scene 2, how does Desdemona react to the accusations of Othello? To get credit for your answer, use specific examples and quotations.

Desdemona is flabbergasted at the accusations of Othello, and is in disbelief that he would call her such demeaning terms. As before, she continues to be the good wife and defends herself against his unjust accusations, saying “By heaven, you do me wrong” (line 83, page 2976”) and “I hope my noble lord esteems me honest” (line 67, page 2976). She is completely upset and astonished that Othello would hurt her in that manner when he says, “I took you for that cunning whore of Venice .That married with Othello. You, mistress, That have the office opposite to Saint Peter, And keep the gate of hell!” (Line 93 page 2977). After making a few more snide comments, he leaves the room hastily and Desdemona is left to be comforted by Emilia.

Maynard, Mack and Lawall, Sarah. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice. Volume C. New York. W.W. Norton and Company. Inc. 2002. 2976-2977.

Anna R.
Engl 225.01
11-24-08

1. Beowulf:
Explain in a paragraph how the origin of Grendel and his mother go back to the first human beings of Old Testament.

1. Beowulf- Unferth accuses Beowulf of being unworthy and unsuccessful in his past journey’s while everyone is feasting at the mead hall. How does Beowulf respond?

Beowulf- Is violence necessary in Beowulf? If there was no violence and killing would the story be different? How so and why is it needed?

Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh shared similar attributes associated with being a hero. Is it possible Beowulf understood the meaning of being a hero rather than Gilgamesh who understood the meaning in the end of the epic?

In Gilgamesh during the Great Flood, how does the story portray the Gods from Mesopotamian?

Beowulf
List and explain all the reasons that Grendel had such a hate for the Danes? How does he react?

Beowulf
The importance of establishing identity is evident in the story. Give an example from the story where identity is established?

Beowulf
The importance of establishing identity is evident in the story. Give an example from the story where identity is established?

Myron Kirchner
ENG-225
Extra credit exam questions

Beowulf
Discuss the two phases of Beowulf’s heroism, and also why it’s important to the story.

What were Beowulf’s men’s reactions during the fight with the dragon, and what did the last person do once the dragon was slain?

1. Beowulf -In the story of Beowulf explain in a short paragraph what happen between Beowulf and Breca.

Beowulf:
1.) How important is the great hall, both to the story and to the characters in the story?