My Dashboard

I already have a dashboard set up so when I open my browser there are bookmarks at the top, favorites a click away, and recent searches. I personally do not believe I could benefit from this since the only reason I own this laptop (which is slow and has bad graphics) is to do research and write. I check all the other things like sports and weather on my smart phone; and do not turn on this device unless I need to do work. Having non school related things on this would only distract me from my studies so I make damn sure to keep this as an objective computer. Also it is so painfully slow that loading Netvibes may make it worse. Please note the intial start up is like 15 minutes, to get the homepage is another 3, and to actually work is a couple more. I do not need any other things to slow down the essential functions.

CANTERBURY TALES (II): WHAT A CHARACTER!

 Notes on the Cook

Characterization -
Chaucer uses both indirect and direct characterization for the cook
Direct
“He was as brown as a berry.”
“Well-built and short”
“With locks coal black and very neatly kept”
 “At dancing he so well, so blithely leapt”
“But a pity it was, it seemed to me, that on his shin an open sore had he”

Indirect
the cook was a great at playing dice
“For there was no apprentice in the town Who better rattled dice and threw them down Than Perkin Reveler”
he was the “apple” who would have ruined his master’s shop
"A rotten apple's better thrown away Before it spoils the barrel."
His hygiene for his kitchen and himself is very bad
“For in your shop so many flies are loose”
his food quality sickened whoever ate his food
“There's many a pilgrim wishes you Christ's curse”
Use of humor -
There is one piece of humor with the cook, He is the one who makes and handles the people's food and he has a huge open sore and is known for being filthy and unsanitary.
In describing the cook’s dancing Chaucer uses the term, “so blithely leapt” which would be like saying she was beautiful like a goat humorous for the vernacular of the time
The sheer fact that a person who prepares food is so disgusting is itself funny, this is further highlighted by how he is indirectly described as a dirty wreck of a man which considering the humor of the time was as far as one could go without being burned at the stake
“He was as ful of love and paramour as is the hyve ful of hony swete” If this is being understood correctly once again it is ironically pointing out some traits of the cook


Tone -
The tone directed at the Cook is one of humor. Pointing out his physical flaws and making him look disgusting shows the author purposefully put him in the tales to just bash on him.
The author tells the reader that his hygiene and cooking skills made people basically vomit in in his presence.
This tone is borderline rude as it depicts how people would be toward a person with his same physical appearance, in essence the placement of the cook makes the tone a tad satirical



Collaboration between Hikaru Kasai, Michael Hall, Ephraim Rodriguez and Eric Jackson

Phonar Notes

• Any person who can captivate an image is a photographer
• Photographs are fixed in time
• Borders
• Only 2 dimensional but could become 3 in the future
• During its apex Kodak employed hundreds of people while Instagram had about a dozen people staffed
• All photographs are images, not all images are photographs much like all squares are rectangles not all rectangles are squares
• There were 4.5 million photos put on Flickr every day in 2010
• Lenses create a round image but these are modified to be square/rectangles
• The medium is the message, how and where we get things defines them so photos are very different from drawings or descriptive writing
• All media comes from how we understood previous ones example writing was understood as talking, radio as talking/writing, television as radio with visual etc.
• The majority of the human race now has the ability to create their own photos and images then share them with others
• Definition of Transmedia - stories told of a multiple platform (novel, fan fiction, movie, video games)
• Trusted source: if source was credible from previous output
• connected - heard by people who are most interested with your work, not just a "supplier of photography"
• The internet allows us to share our stories and experiences with others
• Photographers are skilled artist just like a painter or sculptor
• With modern technology photograph is no longer bound to the limitation as we can share, edit, and create new things with people all over the world
• Photography is and has changed the world yet could still do so much more
• Horrible photos of war, death, and famine have generated support ranging from World Wars, to charity, and inspiration to research and find solutions
• Photography is far from dead, I think it is in a Renaissance reshaping itself to fit into the modern world

Vocabulary List Fall #4

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

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

Definition not found for bete. Please try http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bete for a definition.

Definition not found for noire. Please try http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/noire for a definition.

bode - verb indicate by signs

dank - adj. unpleasantly cool and humid

ecumenical - adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions

fervid - adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion

fetid - adj. offensively malodorous

gargantuan - adj. of great mass; huge and bulky

heyday - noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity

incubus - noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream

infrastructure - noun the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; the basic structure or features of a system or organization

inveigle - verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

kudos - noun an expression of approval and commendation

lagniappe - noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)

prolix - adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length

protege - noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career

prototype - noun a standard or typical example

sycophant - noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage

tautology - noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true

truckle - noun a low bed to be slid under a higher bed; verb yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Declaration of Learning Independence

Learning should stem from the individual desire to acquire more knowledge. Much like how many former athletes or service men no longer enjoy exercising from their brutal and long experience doing it the same goes for learning and students. We think school is enough without any individual supplements and follow the carrot of percentage points as the marker of our success. There is stuff wrong with that but not much we can do now, the thing we do determine is our actions, and our destiny. You get the life you choose. That means you are solely responsible and should do the most important things to the highest potential. This is why I declare my independence from learning in the “Educational Industrial Complex” as my Uncle a veteran and bleeding heart liberal calls it (a spin-off of Ike’s Military Industrial Complex”. I make the choice to pursue learning not for the grades and test scores but the genuine want to have more knowledge. It’s cliché but Francis Bacon was correct in asserting “knowledge is power”. It separates us from the animals and allows us the achieve more. This romantic notion of ideas is why I follow the path of learning even if it drifts from the standards set by the man or takes more time; it is worth chasing.

Literature Analysis #1

Theme, Plot, and Literary Techniques
1. The story is setting after Americans get involved in World War II on the island of Pianoso off the coast of Italy. Yossarian is the main character who is trapped on the island with his fellow soldiers being sent constantly into reconnaissance missions and is never able to fulfill their Jacob’s ladder number of assignments before returning home. The Colonels and Majors constantly raise the number of required task before a soldier can leave from 42 then 50 etc. Wanting to avoid combat he fakes being sick repeatedly and seems to be insane believing all enemy actions are to personally kill him. For this the other enlisted realize he’s a nutcase. The commanding officers send their squadrons on extremely dangerous missions where few return for their own prestige and glory. These crusades make Yossarian want to get dishonorably discharged for insanity. In trying to plea for his own insanity he admits he is sane so the regulation, Catch-22, cannot be broken by this act. As the phrase appears more often it comes to mean something non sequitur, ironic, circular in reasoning, or paradoxical. It reverberates throughout the novel haunting every character in all their anecdotes. Examples of these are when Nately and his Italian whore both begin loving one another for him only to die shortly after. Then she blames the messenger Yossarian. The other chord to the story is the black market of Minderbinder which is really just a way to feed various people in Europe while he Ponzis everyone else out of food and profit.  

2. The theme of the novel would have to be the effects of absolute control over others. The higher ups in the military and government treat the troops as tools to be used and acceptable loses if they fall in battle. With the bar raising continuously for how many objectives to complete before leaving the men are at the mercy of unnamed forces above them. Simply pawns in a chess game unable to see the players. They are the disposable heroes of their day sent to fight and if necessary die. A loss of control is evident within the novel as when Yossarian even attempts to argue with the unknown puppet master but merely told no in an O’Brien like fashion with the mixing of words.

3. The author’s tone is one of anxiety as if the inconceivable assassin is always waiting for you. Like Yossarian the book is plagued by paranoia.
“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.”or “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you” and “The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on.”

 Characterization
1. “He knew everything there was to know about literature, except how to enjoy it”
“The Texan turned out to be good-natured, generous and likable. In three days no one could stand him.”
“[They] agreed that it was neither possible nor necessary to educate people who never questioned anything.”
“You have a morbid aversion to dying. You probably resent the fact that you're at war and might get your head blown off any second." Said the Colonel
"I more than resent it, sir. I'm absolutely incensed."
"You have deep-seated survival anxieties. And you don't like bigots, bullies, snobs, or hypocrites. Subconsciously there are many people you hate."
"Consciously, sir, consciously," Yossarian corrected in an effort to help. "I hate them consciously."
"You're antagonistic to the idea of being robbed, exploited, degraded, humiliated, or deceived. Misery depresses you. Ignorance depresses you. Persecution depresses you. Violence depresses you. Corruption depresses you. You know, it wouldn't surprise me if you're a manic-depressive!"
"Yes, sir. Perhaps I am."
"Don't try to deny it."
"I'm not denying it, sir," said Yossarian, pleased with the miraculous rapport that finally existed between them. "I agree with all you've said.”
In literature it is vital to use both types of characterization to prevent a story especially a decently long one such as this from becoming bland from simple sentences like, “The major was a sick middle aged man who worked in communications”.
2. When Heller focuses on a character he generally uses shorter sentences and either features they have or actions they have taken to describe them. “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three. Even among men lacking all distinction he inevitably stood out as a man lacking more distinction than all the rest, and people who met him were always impressed by how unimpressive he was.” or  “Well, he died. You don't get any older than that.”  and “Prostitution gives her an opportunity to meet people. It provides fresh air and wholesome exercise, and it keeps her out of trouble.” As for the vocabulary employed it gets more crude and blunt than even how it usually is.
3. This protagonist is actually very static and flat. He makes minor but no major strides in another direction in the portion of his life the author covers. From the first page he has a similar mindset that everyone is after him, the war machinery is unrelenting and cruel, and the war is not worth its cost. He does alter his attitude but only slightly finding out the bureaucrats and officers are more sinister then he previously assumed.
4. Although I enjoyed the book and the characters, like Winston from Nineteen Eighty-Four, I could not relate to these protagonists. Nineteen Eighty-Four is one of my favorite stories but I could connect more with a story’s people that I didn’t particular like such as Catcher in the Rye or The Grapes of Wrath (which I found boring). However maybe I’m just too lame to enjoy people with similar challenges yet I love characters like Gatsby.

Vocabulary List Fall #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
Definition not found for factionalism. Please try http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/factionalism for a definition.
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 - noun a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes; a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States; verb be a substitute
rosa - noun large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
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

All cultures in recorded history have similar stories of the great hero usually more than a man but not quite a god that pursues an epic advantage. In comparison to the modern tales of heroism the ancient myths like Beowulf seem to still exemplify the themes of the society, desirable traits, and arduous challenges. Our times however differ in the way the characters have more dimensions, aren’t infallible, and quest are not as straight forward. A very dynamic character in contrast to Beowulf would be Anakin Skywalker.
Current fiction being written does not have the static one dimensional character of older times. Most characters were fairly unchanging either good or evil with few personal qualities. Like the dark faced soldiers in World War II propaganda the enemy was the enemy he had no soul or goodness whereas ours were the heroes unstoppable and pious. Most chronicles show a huge distinction between good and evil with few anti-heroes. Even when looking at fiction from the 1950’s and before there was this great divide and almost no one ever flipped sides or was seen borderline they fell into one category. In the prequels we see Anakin completely pure of heart yet he grows darker and wicked as he is exposed to the disguised Sith Lord and puppet master Palpatine.
The possibility of failure for our heroes makes them seem weaker but is necessary to the development of many plots. Being faced with seemingly unconquerable foes that even defeat the protagonist multiple times builds the suspense of the final battle. Older tales generally show the invincible warrior who cannot lose making the stories repetitive as the main character walks to another easy win. Not only on the battlefield but in their relationships characters lose friends and lovers due to their own mistakes. This is much more prevalent in today’s books that the character has a percentage of error caused by their own failure and not the ambiguous fate or gods. In Star Wars there is a large amount of mishaps on both sides in the whole saga. Anakin viewed his greatest in not saving his wife and allowing himself to blindly follow the Emperor. So by episode 6 he betrays his master and leaves the dark side to help Luke before he dies.
Choices for the main proponents have also shifted from the black and white to the vivid colors we experience now. In “Revenge of the Sith” for example Anakin has the route to becoming Darth Vader or killing the Sith Lord. The dark side offers him a chance to save his wife while the Jedi try to keep him on the right path but his mind is blurred by deception. If someone only saw the original trilogy they may think that everything is black and white. Why are Darth Vader and the Emperor evil? They always were and will be. However with the newer films we see a different perspective on how the characters evolved and shifted. Unless there is some prequel to some of these legends where they’re very different people then this was uncommon especially for the monomyth.
To sum it up the fables of the past were told and retold in the same way with static characters, no mistakes, and few hard decisions. Back then the heroes were always brave and willing to do the task at hand. Many characters possessed some form of divinity like demi god etc. that prevented them from bad judgment. And the most they needed to contemplate was simply should I take on this challenge or chicken out and lose all I’ve ever fought for. As humanity advanced so did our vantage point of heroes and desire for a complex series.

Will Study for Food

A scholarship I have been informed of and is interesting is the Hispanic Heritage scholarship. I have viewed the questions needed and answered a few of them so far. It is necessary I try to earn as much money from merit based scholarships since I will not be eligible for most of the income based ones but will not have very much money flowing from my parents either. Hopefully I can obtain atleast enough for the books to start anything more would of course be awesome yet in today's world I do not expect much more than that. Combined the tuition, rent, food, travel, supplies, and other cost will be overwhelming to anybody so these opportunities should help cushion the blow.

Vocabulary List Fall #2

accoutrements – 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 awkward clash
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 - noun a line that indicates a boundary
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
unimpeachable - adj. beyond doubt or reproach; completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach; free of guilt; not subject to blame

Beowulf Questions and Answers

Super Collaboration Group answering these comprehension questions include:
Yesenia Beas (Yesenia's Blog), Erica Paculan (Erica's Blog), Guadalupe Pliego (Guadalupe's Blog), Alec McFarland (Alec's Blog), Laike McFarland (Laike's Blog), Naiomi Desai (Naiomi's Blog), Millicent Angulo (Millicent's Blog), Jisu Yoon (Jisu's Blog), Susel Garcia (Susel's Blog), Eric Jackson (Eric's Blog), Ephraim Rodriguez (Ephraim's Blog), Taylor Wall (Taylor's Blog) Hikaru Kasai (Hikaru's Blog), Michael Hall (Michael's Blog), Danielle Cadena (Danielle's Blog), Jayce(http://jaycedopefresh.blogspot.com/)
(16 People Group)

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

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?

The manner in which he became king was unusual because Shield was an abandoned child whom travelled to Denmark alone and there was able to change his fate and rule many lands. His funeral consisted of placing his corpse on a fighting ship, piling it up with treasures, and setting him adrift in the sea. Hrothgar is Shield’s grandson.

[Heorot is Attacked] (lines 86-188, pp. 34-36)

1.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?

Hrothgar built the beautiful dwelling of Heorot, however the monstrous Grendel attacked it and killed many of his men. His attacks spanned over a period of twelve winters. The Danes could do nothing else but remain in the bloody feud with Grendel, although they attempted to remain hidden. Hrothgar’s council tried to find solutions by looking for warriors and making sacrifices to the old stone gods.

[The Hero Comes to Heorot] (lines 189-490, pp. 36-42)

1. What does Beowulf do when he hears of Hrothgar's problems with Grendel?

Beowulf heads out to  Heorot with his men to take on the deed of cleansing it of Grendel. He is confident that with his strength he will accomplish it.

2. Whom do the Geats first meet when they arrive in Denmark? What does he do, and what do they do?

The Geats meet a watchman of the seas/beach shore. The watchman stops the Geats and asks what they are doing with the weapons they carry and the armor they have. He asked them specifically what their purpose was landing on Denmark. The Geats say they are not invaders or pirates, but wish to protect the throne of Scylding and defend the throne of Hrothgar from the villainous Grendel.

3. They next 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?

Hrothgar’s herald is named Wulfgar. Wulfgar asks the Geats what is their business and asks them what their names are. Beowulf announces himself as the leader of the Geats seeks an audience with the king of Danes, Hrothgar of the throne. Hrothgar responds by saying yes to the warrior Beowulf to speak. No I am not surprised that Hrothgar knows Beowulf because he knows Beowulf’s father who fought with him before king.

4.What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar when he enters? What did Hrothgar do for Beowulf's father?

Beowulf told Hrothgar that he has defeated giants and other mythical creatures. He said that he will kill Grendel unarmed and unarmored when he comes to the hall at night. Hrothgar fought with his father during a feud with the Geats and Scyldings and were settled by a paying old treasure.

[Feast at Heorot] (lines 491-661, pp. 42-46)

1. What does Unferth accuse Beowulf of? How does Beowulf answer him? How is this episode relevant to the poem as a whole? What does Beowulf accuse Unferth of?

Unferth is jealous of Beowulf due to the kinsmen’s adoration for him. He tells the kinsmen that Beowulf lost a swimming match against Breca (and will lose to Grendel as well). Unferth believes that the swimming match was a waste of time and was a reckless thing to do. Beowulf answers Unferth by  telling his side of the story saying that Breca had help, a few monster allies, when he pulled Beowulf under the ocean and then pointedly mocks Unferth. This is relevant to the poem as it enhances the reader’s analysis of Beowulf’s character. The episode shows Beowulf’s boastfulness and arrogance, which is an overall big part of the whole poem.  

2. What is Queen Wealhtheow doing during the feasting?

Queen Wealhtheow goes around passing drinks and food to the soldiers as a sign of gratefulness and peace.

[The Fight with Grendel] (lines 662-835, pp. 46-49)

1.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?

Instead of arming for battle, typical for a heroic poetry battle scene, Beowulf believes he is strong enough to beat Grendel without the use of any weapon. Therefore, Beowulf strips himself of any weapon, using instead his bare hands.

2.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?

When Grendel enters Heorot, he encounters many men sleeping and imagines the destruction and murder he could cause. However, he also finds an alert and prepared Beowulf. Beowulf fights him without armor or weapons, he simply tightly grasps Grendel, refusing to let him go. Within minutes, Beowulf’s men are attempting to help, but their weapons are harmless to Grendel. Grendel is weak and unable to free himself, but he is able to escape because he loses an arm.

[Celebration at Heorot] (lines 836-1250, pp. 49-60)

1.When the Danes and Geats return from following Grendel's tracks to the mere, someone sings in Beowulf's presence, comparing him to Sigemund and saying that he was not like Heremod (lines 883-914). How is Beowulf like Sigemund? How is he not like Heremod? (Be alert for inserted stories such as this one. Beowulf contains many of them, most much more complex than this one.)

Beowulf is like Sigemund because they both cared and protected their people, ultimately they were both heroes who murdered monsters. On the other had, Heremod ignored the needs of his people, he did not protect them and actually turned on them.

2.How does Hrothgar respond to Beowulf's deed? What does he offer to do for him? What does Unferth have to say now?

Hrothgar makes a speech praising Beowulf as well as offers him the best riches and to get vengeance for all the Geat soldiers that were murdered. Unferth now says nothing, Beowulf has proven his bravery.

3.The singer sings of Finn during the feasting (lines 1070-1158). 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 bride to heal enmity between tribes?

In general, the Danish general is treacherously attacked at Finn’s castle. Hengest succeeds Hnaef as the Danish general and a pact is made between Finn and the Danes after his force is nearly exterminated. Hengest is stuck in the castle during Winter and comes up with a way to enact vengeance. He kills Finn and the jewels of Finn are borne away to the Dane’s castle. This suggests that using a bride to heal enmity between tribes is not the smartest thing to do.

4.When the feasting resumes, what does Wealhtheow ask Hrothgar not to do?

Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar not to give Beowulf the throne.

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

Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to help her sons if they are ever in need.

6.Why do so many men remain in the beer hall to sleep? Why is it a mistake?

The men had all fallen asleep in the beer hall, because they had earlier defeated Grendel and had been drinking and feasting in celebration. This was a mistake, because Grendel’s mother comes back to take her revenge.

BEOWULF AND GRENDEL'S MOTHER (lines 1251-2199, pp. 60-79)

[Another Attack] (lines 1251-1382, pp. 60-62)

1.Why has Grendel's mother come to Heorot? Is it the same reason Grendel had?

Grendel’s mother came to Heorot to take revenge while Grendel came to Heorot to kill without reason.

2.What is Hrothgar's response? Whom has Grendel's mother killed?

Grendel’s mother kills Hrothgar’s good friend, Aeschere. Hrothgar promises Beowulf that he will repay him greatly if he is able to kill Grendel’s mother.

3.What sort of place is the mere?

The literal/dictionary meaning of mere is a “lake, pond, or arm of a sea.” Hrothgar describes a haunted mere where Grendel’s mother lives. He says that no one knows how deep it is and that at night, the water burns in it. He also says that the mere throws dirty water up to the sky in storms.

[Beowulf Fights Grendel's Mother] (lines 1383-1650, pp. 63-68)

1.How does Beowulf tell Hrothgar to respond?

Beowulf asks Hrothgar to take care of his men if he doesn’t survive. Hrothgar had also promised gifts to Beowulf, which he requests him to send to his king, Hygelac. He also reveals his heroic personality by his words, “It is always better / to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.”

2.What happens at the mere before Beowulf enters it?

When Beowulf first dives in the mere, he at first sinks and takes an entire day to reach the bottom. While fighting with the monster, towards the end of the fight, the water filled with blood and warriors assumed him to be dead.

3.How does Beowulf prepare for the battle? What sword does he take with him?

Beowulf prepared for battle by courageously getting his armor and weapons because he wants to get revenge on those who were killed by Grendel, so he is off to kill his Grendel’s own mother. Beowulf is granted a sword which is named “Hrunting” from Unferth which is passed down and admired as an “old-time heirloom.”

4.What happens when Beowulf enters the mere? What is surprising about where Grendel and his mother live in the mere?

Beowulf dives in the “floor of the sea” to get into the mere and have his battle with Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother tries to kill Beowulf in the spot but his armor protects him then she brings him to her underwater lair which marks her “own” territory, so no other creatures will bother her.

5.What happens to the sword Beowulf borrowed from Unferth?

“Hrunting”, the sword given by Unferth, was completely useless against Grendel’s mother that it broke in the spot during their battle.

6.At one point Beowulf is on the floor, with Grendel's mother sitting on him and drawing her knife. How does Beowulf escape?

Beowulf escapes by using his armor; his armor protects him from the knife wound and then he uses his strength to escape from Beowulf’s mother.

7.How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother? What weapon does he use? What happens when she dies? What does Beowulf take with him from her home? What happens to the sword he used to kill her?

Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother by cutting the mother’s throat using the sword of Eotens. When she dies, Beowulf decides to bring the mother’s head home in order to take revenge for those who got killed by Grendel. The sword melts down only leaving the hilt because of the mother’s acidic blood.

8.What happens when Beowulf returns to the surface? Did his men expect him to return?

When Beowulf returns to the surface by swimming, his men are not there waiting for him because they did not expect him to return alive from Grendel’s mother.

[Further Celebration at Heorot] (lines 1651-1798, pp. 68-71)

1.What does Beowulf give to Hrothgar?

After fighting  Grendel’s mother; Beowulf seeks the head of Grendel to give to the king.

2.What message does Hrothgar have for Beowulf? What and why does he tell us about Heremod? Why and how did Heremod die? What lesson does Hrothgar teach with the Heremod example?

He tells Beowulf the story of an ambitious and prideful king named, Hermond. King Heremod ends up dying in misery and alone. He advises Beowulf not to be like that king because the same will happen to him. Hrothgar teaches him what happens to a king when he is overtaken by pride.

3.What does Beowulf give to Unferth as he leaves?

Beowulf returns to Unferth his sword, Hrunting; that Beowulf used right before his fight with Grendel’s mother.

[Beowulf Returns Home] (lines 1799-2199, pp. 71-79)

1.What future does Hrothgar predict for Beowulf?

Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he will become an epic king and have a great reign over his kingdom. There is no mention of his demise or any other important details of that sort

2.Who is Hygd and why is she not like Modthryth?

Hygd reigns as Queen of the Geats. She is an excellent ruler unlike Modthryth who is a lousy and cruel leader

3.Beowulf reports to Hygelac that Hrothgar may marry his daughter Freawaru to Ingeld. Why does he plan to do that? What does Beowulf expect the result will be? (Remember the Finn story, lines 1070-1158.) How does Beowulf think the peace will be broken? Is this the type of report we expected from the hero Beowulf, or are we seeing a new side of him?

Marrying Ingled with Freawaru will hopefully end the vendetta the families are having. He expects the marriage will temporarily end the feud yet will not last very long. Beowulf plans to try this but is rightly worried since the fighting has waged for so long and the pride based members could reignite the flame by killing another. From what we have seen of the hero is this outside of his character since usually he is brave and always seeks the best even in the face of overwhelming odds

4.How does Beowulf report about his own adventures? Does he report accurately?

 Beowulf is arrogantly reports his adventures in a boastful manner. Exaggerating much of his adventure.

5.What does Beowulf do with the treasure he was given? What does Hygelac give him?

 Beowulf gives the treasure to Hygelac, and in return Hygelac gives Beowulf a powerful sword, land, hides, and a gigantic house.

BEOWULF AND THE DRAGON (lines 2200-3182, pp. 79-99)

[The Dragon Wakes] (lines 2200-2509, pp. 79-86)

1.How much later does Part 2 take place? What kings have died in the meanwhile? What danger now exists?

Part 2 is fifty years later. Hygelac and Heardred both died, and a dragon is attacking Beowulf’s kingdom.

2.Why is the dragon angry? Why did the man take a cup? How did the treasure come to be there in the first place? (The speech of the lone survivor, the one who put the gold in the barrow, is in a typically Old English elegiac tone.

The dragon is angry because a man took a cup from his hoard of treasure. The man took the cup to bring back to his lord to make peace because he was fleeing for his life. The treasure was once an old lord’s hoard that he kept with him until he died because all of his kinsmen had perished.

3.What did the dragon destroy that evening?

The dragon destroyed the homes and land of the Geats that evening.

4.Why does Beowulf think his home was burnt? Why does he order a new shield? How will he fight this battle? What will happen to him?

Beowulf thinks his home was burnt because he is war-lord of the Geat kingdom, and he grew up there. He orders a new shield made of iron because his old one was wooden which wouldn’t withstand fire. He fights the battle by himself with a sword and shield and brings eleven men with him. Beowulf will die for he is old and beginning to weaken, and swords won’t do him any good because of his remarkable strength.

5.How did Hygelac die? (The description in lines 2354-2379 begins one of several versions of Geatish history and Hygelac's death we will get.) What did Beowulf do after Hygelac's death? What happened when he returned home? Did he accept Hygd's offer to become king?

Hygelac died in battle in Friesland. When he was killed, Beowulf swam to safety right after Hygelac’s death to return home. When he returned home, Hygd offered Beowulf to take the Hygelac’s throne as his successor. She didn’t think her son was ready to rule due to his inexperience. Beowulf did not accept to become the king of Geatland yet, but he gave support for Hygd’s son. He aided his way to mature as a good successor.

6. What happened to Hygelac's son Heardred? (That's the story in lines 2380-2390.) How did Beowulf plan to revenge Heardred's death (lines 2391-2396)?

Onela from Sweden voyaged across to meet Heardred, which he was mortally wounded from a sword. This left Beowulf to ascend the throne of Geatland. He planned his revenge by receiving men from Eadgils and eventually killed Onela.

7.How many men accompany Beowulf as he goes to meet the dragon?

He took “eleven comrades” with him to fight the dragon. Beowulf told his men the stories of his youth and his vow to defeat the dragon while the men accompanied him.

8.What happened to Hygelac's oldest brother Herebeald? Who killed him? What did this do to his father King Hrethel? (This passage, lines 2425-2509, is the second account of Geatish history and of the death of Hygelac.) What happened between the Swedes and Geats after Hrethel's death? What happened to Haethcyn? How die Beowulf revenge Hygelac's death?

Hygelac’s oldest brother, Herebeald, was killed in an accident by his brother Haethcyn. This caused their father, King Hrethel, to shut down and die of grief. After their father’s death Haethcyn became king and lead the Geat people into a war with the Swedes, but died during the war. His brother Hygelac then proceeded into the throne but after defeating the Swedes in the war died during a raid.  Beowulf soon become kings and rules the land as a wise and noble king.

[Beowulf Attacks the Dragon] (lines 2510-2820, pp. 86-92)

1.What does Beowulf tell his companions to do?

As Beowulf approaches the home of the dragon he gives a speech to his companions about how he feels nothing less because he is using the armor, a shield, and a sword. He tells about how the dragon is far greater than Grendel, he tells them that this fight will be between him and the dragon. The ending result will be whatever fate decides for him.

2.What happens the first time Beowulf and the dragon fight? What do his companions do? How is Wiglaf different? What does he tell the others? What does he then do?

As Beowulf approaches the dragon he yells a loud war cry that shows the dragon his intent. The dragon soon awoke and poured out fire at Beowulf, who stood still with his shield at hand. The shield protected him but the fire began to overwhelm it, he struck out with his trusty sword but as it pierced the beast’s skin it shattered. Now he was stuck with no weapon against the fire breathing beast. All but one of his companions had fled in fear, only Wiglaf stood there seeing his king in danger. He remembers the oath that all the men had taken to help and defend their king and goes to aid of Beowulf.    

3.What happens the second time Beowulf meets the dragon? What happens to Beowulf? Who kills the dragon?

Beowulf and Wiglaf kill the dragon together. Beowulf is mortally wounded when he's hit by the dragon's poisonous breath.

4.What does the dying Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do? What happens when Beowulf sees the gold? How does Beowulf want to be buried?

He asks him to get the treasure the dragon was hiding. At the sight of his treasure, Beowulf practically dies of happiness. But before he dies he tells Wiglaf his final wishes. He wants to be buried with his treasure on a high hill with a tall tower so that everyone will remember Beowulf and his greatness.

[Beowulf's Funeral] (lines 2821-3182, pp. 92-99)

1.What happens when the companions return? What does Wiglaf say to him? What does he expect will happen in the future?

When they return, they find Wiglaf grieving over the dead Beowulf. Wiglaf reminds them of the promise they had made to Beowulf and of their cowardice. Wiglaf expects the Geats to be attacked by enemies once again.

2.What does the messenger tell the city? (This passage, lines 2900-3027, is the third account of the history of the Geats and the death of Hygelac. These are the enemies that will attack the Geats when they learn of Beowulf's death.) What happened overnight in Ravenswood after Ongentheow killed Haethcyn? What happened the next morning? What happened to Ongentheow? What does the messenger say to do with the gold? What is the final image (animal) of the messenger's speech?

A battle is coming between the Geats and the Swedes. Ongentheow returned home after killing his target. Eofor captured the man who killed his father. They later fought to the death where Eofor claimed to be the winner. Only warriors who were given gold by Beowulf were allowed to enter the barrow and honor his kingmenship. The final image was the dragon.

3. What does Wiglaf tell the crowd that comes to see the dragon and Beowulf?

Wiglaf tells the crowd that they must not take the gold or they will be cursed if they do unless blessed by heaven to claim it. They must leave their fallen leader to burn next to the fallen enemy, the dragon.

4.What happens to the dragon?

The dragon is pushed off a cliff and falls into the rolling waves of the sea.

5.What happens during and after the funeral celebration?

During the funeral celebration the entirety of the people mourn for their lost king, a huge memorial that could be seen by all was constructed. This memorial was his tomb, a place where they buried Beowulf and all his worldly treasures. After the funeral celebration,12 warriors, men of Beowulf’s, gather around his tomb to chant, “mourning his loss as a man and as a king.”

6.What did the Geats say about Beowulf in the last three lines of the poem? Are these the terms one would expect to be used to describe a military hero?

In the last three lines of the poem, the twelve Geats describe Beowulf with much love because he has sacrificed his life to protect his people and they addressed him as their “beloved leader”, which is a memorable way to describe a military hero. The Geats also addressed him as a “prince so mild” which is ironic because he holds that courage and rage he expresses when he fights in a battle.

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