In the Beowulf story involving Grendel, two values that are shown in it are the Mead Hall and caring for one another. The Mead Hall seemed to be a place that brought the community together. They drank, told stories, sang and shared a good time there. "...and the greatest hall in all the earth..." (Breeden.) When describing the events that took place at the Mead Hall (also called Herot), it is described that the king's "...lived in joy, happy..." (Breeden.) The citizens and warriors of Shieldings value each other. When Grendel takes the lives of the men, remorse is shown by the King and others. "...when the Dane heard of Grendel's strength, there was a great weeping. The old King sat sadly, crying for his men." (Breeden.) "They wept and seethed." (Breeden.)
Alliterations used is this tale are pretty neat ones. One section one uses a few similar words. "They readied the ship on the waves under the cliffs and the warriors stood at the prow as the water wound against the sand. The warriors bore in the ship's bosom bright weapons, fitted armor." (Breeden.) These alliterations creates a almost rhythmic effect. It's cool to know that that kind of writing was going on way back then.
Kennings are a metaphorical phrase that is used in the place of a noun.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Beowulf LRJ #2
Reoccurring values that are portrayed in the Anglos-Saxon story of Beowulf are justice and religion. Justice values are shown throughout the adventurous story by Beowulf continuing his effort to keep Shieldings safe from the monstrous Grendel and his "hell-bride" (1259) mother. He goes out of his way to destroy the villains and keep the town from harm. He is willing to die in the battle. "...if I should fall and suffer death while serving your cause, would act like a father to me afterwards. If this combat kills me, take care of my young company." (1480). Beowulf seems to accept the fate if he passes. "I shall gain glory or die." (1491). God and giving thanks is a reappearing subject in this tale. "... sprang to his feet and praised God for Beowulf's pledge." (1397). The characters trust and leave the decision for whatever the matter may be up to God. "... holy God decided the victory." (1554). The value of religion is very broad in this Anglos-Saxon story.
Unrealistic moments in "Grendel's Mother" happen quite a few times. The characters of Grendel and his mother are fictional, "the one who haunted the waters, who had scavenged and gone her gluttonous rounds for a hundred seasons." (1598) and so is the underwater battle scene. "... gripped her shoulder and laid about him in a battle frenzy: he pitched his killer opponent to the floor..." (1539). Some of the weapons also seem to have a unrealistic past. "... a sword in her armoury, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants... so huge and heavy of itself." (1558).
Favorite quotes of mine in Beowulf are "...warming to this fight." (1536) and "The lake settled, clouds darkened above the bloodshot depths." (1631). I enjoy these quotes because it really paints a picture for you to imagine. You can almost see yourself "warming up" to a fight, preparing yourself. The image of the lake after the battle scene is haunting, but settled.
Unrealistic moments in "Grendel's Mother" happen quite a few times. The characters of Grendel and his mother are fictional, "the one who haunted the waters, who had scavenged and gone her gluttonous rounds for a hundred seasons." (1598) and so is the underwater battle scene. "... gripped her shoulder and laid about him in a battle frenzy: he pitched his killer opponent to the floor..." (1539). Some of the weapons also seem to have a unrealistic past. "... a sword in her armoury, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants... so huge and heavy of itself." (1558).
Favorite quotes of mine in Beowulf are "...warming to this fight." (1536) and "The lake settled, clouds darkened above the bloodshot depths." (1631). I enjoy these quotes because it really paints a picture for you to imagine. You can almost see yourself "warming up" to a fight, preparing yourself. The image of the lake after the battle scene is haunting, but settled.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
LRJ #2
Celia Byrne
Ms. Peifer
English 10IB
Hour 4
24 November 2008
Sophocles uses a lot of imagery in his work Antigone. In one symbolic scene, the findings of Antigone's body is described in a way that contrasts what is being illustrated in the text. "We saw her lying: she made a noose of her fine linen veil And hanged herself. Haeman lay beside her, His arms about her waist, lamenting her, His love lost underground." (Lines 58-62.) This scene creates almost a sense of a romantic death. Antigone has chosen her death without regret while her loved one lays beside her. Although depressing, it almost makes you feel relieved that Antigone had died without pain and suffering in a cave for eternity. The imagery used in Antigone helps the reader feel more personal with the characters and provides a simpler understanding of what is going on.
A character in the play that acquired a deep fatal flaw was King Creon. He was an arrogant man who over bared his pride. When his son, Haemon threatened to take his own life if his father does not release Antigone, he told his guard, "Let him do, or dream, more than man-good speed to him! But he shall not save these two girls from their doom." (Sophocles.) He displays being overconfident when he is so sure that Antigone will realize her wrongdoings. "And there, praying to Hades, the only god whom she worships, perchance she will obtain release from death; or else will learn, at last, though late, that it is lost labour to revere the dead." (Sophocles.)
The moment Creon realizes what a mess he has made is captured in his Anagnorisis. "Surely a god Has crushed me beneath the hugest weight of heaven And driven me headlong a barbaric way To trample out the thing I help most dear." (Lines 94-97.) This occurs after the realization of what his perverse actions have cost him; the loss of his own beloved family members. Reversal fate, Peripetia, is shown with Creon when he sees his own dead son. "When Creon saw him the tears rushed to his eyes." (Lines 63-64.) With the dramatic deaths and Creon's Anagnorisis, the audience lets go of the fear, Catharsis, they held throughout the story of what will happen next.
Women are characterized in Antigone as passionate and emotional. Antigone is passionate and straight forward of what she wants to do for her brother, while Ismene is a bit more cautious and sensitive. With the death of her son, Eurydice takes her own life as well.
Sophocles. "Antigone." Malaspina University-College Website. Trans. Ian Johnston. May 2005.
Malaspina University College. 28 November 2008 .
Ms. Peifer
English 10IB
Hour 4
24 November 2008
Sophocles uses a lot of imagery in his work Antigone. In one symbolic scene, the findings of Antigone's body is described in a way that contrasts what is being illustrated in the text. "We saw her lying: she made a noose of her fine linen veil And hanged herself. Haeman lay beside her, His arms about her waist, lamenting her, His love lost underground." (Lines 58-62.) This scene creates almost a sense of a romantic death. Antigone has chosen her death without regret while her loved one lays beside her. Although depressing, it almost makes you feel relieved that Antigone had died without pain and suffering in a cave for eternity. The imagery used in Antigone helps the reader feel more personal with the characters and provides a simpler understanding of what is going on.
A character in the play that acquired a deep fatal flaw was King Creon. He was an arrogant man who over bared his pride. When his son, Haemon threatened to take his own life if his father does not release Antigone, he told his guard, "Let him do, or dream, more than man-good speed to him! But he shall not save these two girls from their doom." (Sophocles.) He displays being overconfident when he is so sure that Antigone will realize her wrongdoings. "And there, praying to Hades, the only god whom she worships, perchance she will obtain release from death; or else will learn, at last, though late, that it is lost labour to revere the dead." (Sophocles.)
The moment Creon realizes what a mess he has made is captured in his Anagnorisis. "Surely a god Has crushed me beneath the hugest weight of heaven And driven me headlong a barbaric way To trample out the thing I help most dear." (Lines 94-97.) This occurs after the realization of what his perverse actions have cost him; the loss of his own beloved family members. Reversal fate, Peripetia, is shown with Creon when he sees his own dead son. "When Creon saw him the tears rushed to his eyes." (Lines 63-64.) With the dramatic deaths and Creon's Anagnorisis, the audience lets go of the fear, Catharsis, they held throughout the story of what will happen next.
Women are characterized in Antigone as passionate and emotional. Antigone is passionate and straight forward of what she wants to do for her brother, while Ismene is a bit more cautious and sensitive. With the death of her son, Eurydice takes her own life as well.
Works Cited:
Sophocles. "Antigone." Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall 2001. 814-826.
Malaspina University College. 28 November 2008 .
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
My Sister, My Friend
Antigone,
My dear, dear sister... Please forgive my faults and making you feel as though I have no honor for our brother and you. I was idiotic for letting you walk out the door. There are no excuses for my attitude, but I hope you will forgive me through my actions. I plan to stand next to you if Creon accuses you for wrongdoing. I want to make sure our brother receives a proper burial. If that means punishment for us, I will accept. Times are becoming more tough and I cannot imagine living my life on Earth without you. If that means traveling to the afterlife with you, then so be it. I will not hesitate. You are my sister, therefore my other half.
Love you forever,
Ismene
My dear, dear sister... Please forgive my faults and making you feel as though I have no honor for our brother and you. I was idiotic for letting you walk out the door. There are no excuses for my attitude, but I hope you will forgive me through my actions. I plan to stand next to you if Creon accuses you for wrongdoing. I want to make sure our brother receives a proper burial. If that means punishment for us, I will accept. Times are becoming more tough and I cannot imagine living my life on Earth without you. If that means traveling to the afterlife with you, then so be it. I will not hesitate. You are my sister, therefore my other half.
Love you forever,
Ismene
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Love Does Hurt
One chilly night, I was peacefully watching the news at home while eating some cookies with a nice glass of milk. When suddenly, I almost spat it all out. "13 YEAR OLD GIRL STABS EX BOYFRIEND AT HIGHLAND PARK JR HIGH SCHOOL." All I could feel was complete disgust. What has this society come to? A normal breakup at this age may involve a few tissues or playing the "I don't care" attitude. Not a trip to the hospital for stitches and an assault charge. Ridiculous moments like this leave me feeling completely dumbfounded.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Experience With Our Generation's... Friend?
Technology in my lifetime is a big part of everyday life. But have the people become too dependent on it? In the passed ten years, the use of technology has increased dramatically. Many persons have declared that they "couldn't live without it!". I think the Amish are doing well, though... We text our friends, email and IM when we can simply pick up the good old telephone and give them a ring. Although it does make lives more efficient in many ways, more and more studies have shown the negative effect of it. A lot more car crashes are due to the use of cell phones while driving. Scientists are even saying that cell phones can give you cancer where ever you keep it in your pocket!
Don't get me wrong, I do love the efficiency technology gives us. But I feel a little worried when it gets to the point where people don't know what they'd do without it.
Don't get me wrong, I do love the efficiency technology gives us. But I feel a little worried when it gets to the point where people don't know what they'd do without it.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
11:37
So here we all are, sitting in the computer lab at school... These computers are pretty nifty. I am enjoying English class more this quarter. Sitting on my left side is Colin Franken, and on my right, Ella Thomson. I've known Ella ever since I've moved here. We have grown up together. Ella is like a sister to me, and vise versa. Colin is my best guy friend. He is one silly person. I enjoy each of their company very much. Ms. Peifer seems chill, as does the rest of the class. WOO!
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