Abstract This paper discusses the various sources on which Sir Thomas Mallory drew to create the version of the legend of King Arthur that is known today. The writer provides an overview of the historical background for the Arthurian legend and the evidence that exists for a historical Arthur. The writer explains the medieval traditions of courtly love and of chivalry that Mallory incorporated into his book and his legacy of the knightly ideal that was detailed by Chaucer in his "Canterbury Tales," and in the fourteenth-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."
From the Paper "The account that did the most to establish Arthur as a prominent historical figure was The History of the Kings of Britain written in 1135 by Geoffrey of Monmouth, a Welsh monk, and the book provides a history of the earliest kings of Britain, some 99 in all, including King Coel, known to us today from the nursery rhyme as Old King Cole. About one-fifth of the book is devoted to Arthur, and Geoffrey provides the first organized version of the story. Many of the elements that would be part of the later tradition were missing, however. Arthur's court is not at Camelot but at a place called Caerlon-on-Usk, or City of Legions. Geoffrey contributed at least three new elements to the existing histories of Arthur--he supplied Arthur with a family tree, told of Arthur's association with Merlin, and described his burial at Avalon."
Tags: Nennius, Dark Ages, CeltMerlinretellingpassionBeowulfbattleAvalonCamelot
Abstract This paper looks at Mary Stewart's novel "The Crystal Cave" which is an accurate portrayal of Merlin's journey on becoming an advisor to King Arthur. Merlin's life is analyzed from the time he is a boy to his old age. The various roles that Merlin takes on are discussed and proved to show a direct correlation to the man he becomes. The diverse roles of Merlin as a prophet, student, and servant, Merlin, the man who pulled England out of the Dark Ages, and the right hand to King Arthur, are discussed in order to emphasize his varying journey.
From the Paper "Every person has many characteristics and roles within themselves that identify who they are. When a person is striving for a goal, many of these characteristics must come into play in order to aid in accomplishing the achievement. In the novel, "The Crystal Cave" by Mary Stewart, the protagonist, Merlin, exemplifies various roles and representations. He endures through an intense journey filled with magic, prophecies, teachings, and battles. He becomes destined to become the advisor for King Arthur, who will bring Britain out of the Dark Ages. The diverse character portrayals made by Merlin are significant with respect to his evolution as King Arthur's advisor. The diverse roles he depicts are of a prophet, student, and servant. "
Abstract This paper studies the heroes of Odysseus in "The Odyssey" by Homer and Beowulf in "Beowulf", which are two of the greatest epics in Western literature. The similarities discussed by the paper include: both heroes undertake a great journey across water; both heroes descend into the underworld; both undergo trials and tribulations and must depend on the companionship of others; and both are uniquely grand men in their times. On the other hand, the paper demonstrates how despite these similarities, Beowulf and Odysseus are drastically different characters. Beowulf comes across as a noble and self-sacrificing knight, explains the paper, while Odysseus seems prone to adventuring for the sake of spoils, women and fame. Other differences include that Beowulf is literally seen as the hand of God in stamping out evil; Odysseus, on the other hand, struggles in opposition to the gods. The paper also demonstrates how Odysseus struggles against nature and his fellow man, while Beowulf struggles against demons.
From the Paper "Beowulf and Odysseus have quite different approaches to heroism and its purposes. Beowulf is driven to act as he does based on the guidance of his wise men and religious leaders, who urge him to go "help the king who needed help."(1) At its core, Beowulf's purpose is to bring "relief from this evil." (1) Though eventually he will be rewarded by the Queen for his good deeds and his promise of friendship to her sons and given by her "the largest neck ring I have heard tell of on the earth," (6) still he does not respond either with pride or with hubris, but remains a "gentle, joyful one... mild in spirit, and faithful to his king." (6) Odysseus, on the other hand, does not approach adventures through some sort of over-weening altruism. When he battles monsters, it is because they stand between him and his goals (usually his way home). When he acts heroically, he generally does so in hope of gaining the monetary pleasure of kings. For example, Odysseus usually closely follows up his accounts of his own heroic adventures with a blatant request for tribute, as when -in the middle of accounting his trip to the Underworld, he says: "King Alcinous, if you were to bid me to stay here for a whole twelve months, and then speed me on my way, loaded with your noble gifts, I should obey you gladly..." (Book XI) This is quite different from Beowulf, who offers his loyalty and friendship without price."
Abstract This paper examines the theme of boasting in the poem Beowulf. It describes the purposes the boasting served for the warrior, such as encouragement before battle, to impress and intimidate other warriors, and to achieve respect and fame for his heroic deeds. However, it is argued that this same trait led to his eventual downfall.
From the Paper "Boasting is a key dramatic element in the epic poem Beowulf. Boasting, for warriors like those in this poem, performs a number of purposes: it helps fighters prepare themselves for battle, figuratively arming them with self-confidence. A warrior who boasts sets up an ideal from of himself ? one that he must then attempt to live up to in battle. Bragging about past victories can also intimidate and impress other warriors. Beowulf's boasting served all those purposes. His boasting also helped to achieve him fame for his abilities as a warrior. Beowulf my have been using boasting as a tool to help him achieve success. However, in the end, his fame and over- confidence that the boasting helped him to achieve led to hid demise."
Abstract This paper explains that "Beowul" tells, amongst other things, the story of three monsters and their battles. Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the Dragon are the monsters who give Beowulf the opportunity to become the legendary hero he is, and they also came at important socio-political times. The paper tells us the monsters of "Beowulf" can, and should, be read as metaphors for greater meaning, not simply static characters who serve as punching bags for the hero. In addition, the authors of "Beowulf" constructed its monsters in such a way that the text could be used as a teaching tool, a piece of Anglo-Saxon propaganda to teach morals and explain defeat.
From the Paper "By abstaining from the use of conventional weaponry in his battle with Grendel, and only using a magical sword in his fight with Grendel's mother, Beowulf symbolically rejects the domestication of civilization that Hrothgar proffers and revels in his violent heritage. The intimate struggle with Grendel in Heorot where "hand met claw" exemplifies the meeting of two forms of violence: the repressed, tabooed and latent violence of Grendel, and the open, healthy and manifest violence of Beowulf. Because Grendel is presented as the negative manifestation of violence, Beowulf wins the fight and shows the reader how the respectful application of violence is always the strongest. This idea is presented in the gristly image of Beowulf holding "Grendel's claw" "from hand to shoulder" as his war souvenir, the prize of his battle and the death of his enemy (836, 835). That Grendel's arm is Beowulf's souvenir reminds the reader of Grendel's primitive, yet terrible, weapon."
Abstract In this article, the writer provides an analysis of the character of Beowulf. The writer explains that Beowulf focuses on the character quality of hubris. Further the writer shows how this quality often undermines character and even leads to death when untempered by humility.
From the Paper "The purpose of the anonymous author of Beowulf appears to have been crafting an epic that demonstrates the values and ideals of the warrior society portrayed. Within the work, we see that Beowulf represents the virtues and ideals considered supreme by the king of the Danes Hrothgar. The savage nature of warrior society often causes its members however to exhibit hubris. This overbearing pride and arrogance often needs tempered with humility in order to keep from acting as a degrading force of character and at its worse ... "
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the Anglo-Saxon epic of 'Beowulf'. According to the paper, 'Beowulf' relies heavily on the use of good vs. evil. The paper goes on to discuss that it is not just the beauty and godliness that are celebrated in this epic, the great mead hall, Heorot, is also strong and sound in the face of adversity.
From the Paper "However, it is not just the beauty and godliness that are celebrated in this epic. Heorot is also strong and sound in the face of adversity. Grendel has been a powerful enemy and has damaged Heorot at times by ripping off hinges. Yet, he cannot really damage the physical properties of the hall, nor can Grendel completely demolish the humane properties that have been established there. It is the battle for humanity that brings Beowulf to Denmark to fight with Grendel. Their only battle on the night of Beowulf's arrival tests the physical properties of the building"
Abstract This paper provides a summary of 8 articles on the topic of story retelling as a learning and diagnostic tool.
From the Paper "An article in "Reading Today" includes a book review of "Tell Me a Story". The article explains that comprehension is one of the critical elements of reading identified by the National Reading Panel (NRP) and is widely considered the true goal of reading. Retelling incorporates several of the research-based strategies recommended in the NRP report such as using graphic organizers, identifying story structure and summarizing text. If students' retellings are to be assessed effectively, teachers need to instruct retelling in such a way that the students can retell what..."
Tags: story retelling, article summary, scholarly journal
Abstract The review explores the work of Seamus Heaney (1999) in translating the epic Anglo-Saxon document, "Beowulf." This translation is compared to the digital restoration work being done with the original documents found in the British Library. Both Heaney and the Beowulf restoration group (at the University of Kentucky) are working with identical documents; however, Heamus has translated the text into a more accessible story, and restoration experts such as Keirnan (1984) have worked to preserve the original document for study. This paper evaluates whether Beowulf is a "story" or an artifact of Anglo-Saxon history, and the significance of the difference between translation and restoration.
Abstract This paper identifies the heroic and elegiac elements in "Beowulf," and compares the two. The author gives many examples of the poem referring to "Beowulf" as a hero, and then shows several examples of the sad, elegiac mood of the story of "Beowulf."
From the Paper "With detailed celebrations of weaponry, the praising of heroism and prowess in battle, eloquent speech, and an emphasis on vengeance, "Beowulf" is an epic poem of clear heroic capacity. Considered the first post-classical English epic, "Beowulf" also has many elegiac elements, including imagery of suffering and a sense of sorrow for the passing of worldly things. These elements are developed in the characters' longing for a better past, the value ascribed to treasure, and the importance of fame as the only lasting thing in a decaying world."
Abstract The general idea of the paper is to compare Beowulf to Jesus. A fairly difficult topic, this paper does an excellent job at pointing out how Jesus and Beowulf have many parallels, evident because the narrator telling the story had recently converted from paganism to Christianity. Grendel, his mother, and other characters help form the body of this paper.
From the Paper "Existing as the oldest example of English literature in the form of an epic poem, Beowulf is an ancient pagan story involving two Scandinavian tribes, the Danes and the Geats. As the two tribes converted to Christianity, what was once an old pagan tale came to be greatly influenced by Christian morals, ideals, and traits. Since the Christian scop, or narrator of the story, tries to superimpose Christian beliefs onto a pagan story and as a result, the hero of Beowulf can be compared to Jesus Christ in a number of ways."
Abstract This essay analyzes many of the biblical references made in the epic poem of "Beowulf". These biblical references are then compared to the context of the Old Testament. The paper seeks to determine whether or not "Beowulf" was originally told with Christian tone or if Christian elements were added during the influential time period that the Danes were going through at the time it was written down.
From the Paper The latest version of Beowulf was translated from Old English and written by Seamus Heaney. It is the oldest known epic poem and takes place around 500CE in Denmark and Geatland, which is now southern Sweden. Beowulf is believed to have been first composed orally around 700CE and then written around 1000CE by monks of Anglo-Saxon decent. The British Isles were in rough shape after the conquests of the Romans, Germanic tribes, and the Vikings. The Anglo-Saxon's needed a heroic man of faith that represented strength, decency, and bravery and could also protect the Danes from evil. This man was known as Beowulf. Beowulf seemed to be the good, called upon by god to protect the Danes. There were frequent biblical references made throughout the context of Beowulf. Did these biblical references prove that the Anglo-Saxon's believed in a monotheistic god and had faith in Christianity or were these religious aspects added later in time?
Abstract This paper discusses Beowulf and Grendel. The paper notes the similarities between Beowulf and Grendel and explains that the main one was that they were both last of their line. The paper adds that they had interesting lineages and they were both champions for their people with similar fates.
From the Paper "Beowulf is the classic Scandinavian epic of the mighty Beowulf. Beowulf fights many monsters over his life-time but probably his most famous battle involves an anthropomorphic monster named Grendel. In many ways the characters of Beowulf and Grendel are complete opposites. Beowulf is the powerful, noble and charismatic warrior and Grendel is the ultimate predator seeming to lack even the most rudimentary social skills, courage or even a shred of human decency. Although these characters are extremely different they do share a number of similarities."
Abstract This paper looks at the stories of "Beowulf" as a parallel to the values and attitudes within Medieval society, namely, the penultimate values of martial prowess, heroic action, courage, material goods, religious devotion, and most of all, loyalty.
From the Paper "Medieval society was a violent one, necessitated by the constant warring between kingdoms. The nobility, created originally to defend those unable to defend themselves from the raiding tribes following the downfall of the Roman empire, prided themselves on their combat prowess and valued this above all else. We can find a parallel to the attitudes of Beowulf in the heroic age of Greece and the Homeric epics of the Iliad and the Odyssey in their emphasis on combat as proof of a man's worth and the preoccupation with violence in violent times. The Medieval period is one such era, characterized by the warfare and the heroes of the era, such as Beowulf. Beowulf would be the archetype, ideal warrior, especially in the exceptionally warlike Danish regions. These heroic tales give us a great deal of insight into the aspirations and ideas of those nobles and warriors, who would be the most likely readers of such tales."
