Beowulf Commentary, The Battle with Grendel's Mother (absent)

     "The hero observed that swamp-thing from hell, the tarn hard in all her terrible strength, then heaved his war-sword and swung his arm: the decorated blade came down ringing and singing on her head. But he soon found his battle torch extinguished: the shining blade refused to bite. It spared her and failed the man in his need. It had gone through many hand to hand fights, had hewed the armor and helmets of the doomed, but here at last the fabulous powers of that heirloom failed. Hygelac's kinsman kept thinking about his name and fame: he never lost heart. Then, in a fury, he flung his sword away. The keen, inlaid, worm-loop-patterned steel was hurled to the ground: he would have to rely on the might of his arm. So must a man do who intends to gain enduring glory in combat. Life doesn't cost him a thought." Lines 1518 to 1536 from Beowulf: The Battle with Grendel's Mother.

     This passage in Beowulf is very significant. It is significant because it shows Beowulf's courage, his values, and everlasting strength, and as the main character of the story, that is all he needs to be construed as the hero he is. Only a hero would continue the fight after his war sword had failed him. This passage reinforces a strong theme of the story: responsibility. After the failure of the precious heirloom, as Hygelac's kinsmen, "[he] kept thinking about his name and fame: he never lost heart." (Lines1529-1530) Beowulf knew of his responsibility, and giving up was not an option. "He would have to rely on the might of his own arm" ( Line 1533). Beowulf would use everyone of his resources and extend all possibilities before accepting defeat, and becoming a failure. The story does have a special emotional component, which ties into the theme: strength. This passage has a lot of power, and brings in the readers attention with its language and literary devices.This section is the climax of this chapter in Beowulf. Beowulf risks everything to maintain his pride, and exemplify his responsibility. " So must a man do who intends to gain enduring glory in a combat" (Line 1534-1536).
     The language in this story is very effective and well-defined. When referring to Beowulf's sword, after failure, he says "but here at last the fabulous powers of that heirloom failed" (Lines 1527-1528). This sentence grabs the readers attention much more effectively because of the word 'fabulous', it makes the powers seem much more real and special, and creates a larger problem since the sword has failed. The sword is also called the "worm looped patterned steel" (line 1532), when it is thrown to the ground by Beowulf. It creates a more direct image for the reader. The story does follow a pattern and rhyme scheme, which makes it more enjoyable to read. "The decorated blade came down ringing and singing on her head" (Line 1521-1522). Rhyming the words ringing and singing expresses the power and force Beowulf put into that blow, showing the reader the true strength of the monster, Grendel's mother. The author calls Grendel's mother the "swamp thing from Hell" (line 1518) and a "tarn hag" (line 1519), to show his disgust in this monster. He calls his sword a "battle torch" (line 1523) because of its great usage.
     "Life doesn't cost him a thought" (line 1536). Beowulf knows nothing other than how to fight and be a savior to the people who are in need of his help. He doesn't think twice about his life, because it really doesn't matter, with failure, he will be nothing and have nothing left, nothing to fight for. This passage was chosen because of its strong wording, and clever writing. It shows the values of the time, the things that are important to the people and royalty. But most importantly, its imagery. The author does a fabulous job identifying and explaining the story very clearly to the reader. Every reader may have a different take but when "The hero observed that swamp thing from hell, the tarn hag in all her terrible strength, then heaved his war sword and swung his arm:" (Line 1518-1520), every reader will visualize a terrible monster of terrible strength, and Beowulf's undying courage to fight.

Beowulf LRJs (absent)

LRJ #1 Introduction/ Battle with Grendel

     The culture in Beowulf is clearly determined and strong. It is ready and willing to take on anything with its new hero, Beowulf. At the end of the introduction, Beowulf says to the people "So every elder and experienced councilman among my people supported my resolve to come here to you here, King Hrothgar, because all knew of my awesome strength." (line 415-418). Beowulf knows the people believe in him and have his trust, and everyone knows Beowulf definitely believes in himself.

     The first kenning in the introduction is "earths lamplight" (line 95). The sun and moon are what this kenning is representing while they are sailing the ocean. This is a kenning because it is a metaphor used in place of a man. "The treasure-seat" (line 168) is representing the  throne of herot.

     In the battle with Grendel, "stealthy night shapes" (line 160) represents the darkness among the world and feeling of the upcoming demon. These "stealthy night shapes" were not physically there but they were in the clouds, and surrounding the people. "shadow-stalker" (like 704), is the stealth and swiftness of the demon.

LRJ #2 The Battle with Grendel's Mother

     The values in Beowulf are based on strength, revenge, and responsibility. Beowulf killed Grendel to help the city, because he had strength and responsibility. Later, revenge comes into play, when Grendel's mother needs to avenge her son. "Then it became clear, ovbious to everyone once the fight was over, that an avenger lurker was still alive, grimly biding time." (1255-1258). Beowulf is then forced to protect his pride, and kill Grendel's mother.

     There are a few unrealistic things exemplified in Beowulf. The strength and power Beowulf has is quite unrealistic. Also, the belief everyone has in him is quite unlikely. Beowulf feeds off of his inferiors. He becomes a stronger person as time goes on, and the people trust him more. "The monsterr wrenched and wrestled with him but Beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength, the wondrous gifts God had showered on him." (lines 1269-1271). It is also unrealistic the power that God has, and how much Beowulf relies on him. Without God, the hero would be lost and wihtout hope.

     "Everybody gazed as the hot gore kept wallowing up" (lines 1422-1424). I really like this quite because of its imagery. The wording, and way its written makes it extremely easy for the reader to picture, explain, and recognize. I also lie this quite for the same reasons. "Down they plunged, lashing in anger at the loud call of the battle bugle" (lines 1430-1432). I also just really like the words "battle bugle", it makes happy to hear, and interested in the story.

LRJ #3 Battle with the Fire- Breathing Dragon

     This section of Beowulf is the most important the class has read so far. It exemplifies the true character of Beowulf. At this point in the story, Beowulf has become old, but he still has the responsibility to the people to save them from this fire breathing dragon. At the end of the story, Beowulf dies while attempting to maintain his dignity and keep his word.

     This reading was different from other parts of the story in a few ways. Beowulf is no longer the strong, courageous man he once was, but still has his honor and the honor to the people he has worked so hard to protect. Also, the unbeatable sword he had used before hit away by this beast, unlike the others who were put to death by it.

     During this time, in warfare, men had to die honorably. For example, having a mans body be found killed from behind was very bad. Being hit from behind shows that the man was running away the fight, and will forever be marked a coward, along with his family. Beowulf died honorably, he died the way that was respected by the people in this time.

Antigone Paper

                                     2) The Laws of Tradition (Gods)

      In the play Antigone, the Gods play a major role and are constatly affecting the story. Right from the begginning, the reader can tell how much they are relied upon, trusted, and most importantly, never doubted. Creon says in the very beginning of the story, "Sirs, the vessel of our state, after being tossed on wild waves hath once more been safely steadied by the gods." (Line 20). This is a perfect example of how the Gods control everything.
      When the guard comes to Creon to tell him of Antigone's law breaking, he says "And we were ready to take red hot iron in our hands;- to walk through fire;- to make oath by the gods that we had not done the deed." To prove his innocence, the guard uses the Gods as his witness and reason for not breaking the law, for if he had, he would suffer. As Antigone is being punuished, Creon asks her if she's ready to die and she responds "Nevertheless, Hades desires these rights." Even in the most frightening time of her life, Antigone shows strength, and accepts her fate awesomely.
      "Thou dost not respect them when thou dost trample on the Gods." Haemon says this to Creon, his father as Creon is speaking badly of Antigone and her choices. After going through the story, focusing on references to the Gods, the reader is put in amazement. When a character has an argument to prove, every time he or she uses the almighty Gods as their reasoning.

Introductory Post

I would like to take this entry to introduce myself and explain this blog.

My name is Meredith Leung, I am currently fifteen years of age, and attend Central Senior High as a Sophomore in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I made this blog as a homework assignment for my english class. One weird thing about me, is that I have an endless interest in phones, I can't research, play with, or learn enough about them.
You are probably wondering why my website address is elephant ninja.I am soccer player, mainly goalkeeper, and my team nicknamed me elephant ninja because of the ninja-like saves I would make, and heavy hits I had taken. I really like the nickname, and I use it everywhere.
You're also probably wondering why the blog is titled 'a bell jar' which is another good story. I am a girl gamer. I love to spend my evenings and weekends playing Xbox 360. I usually play on my brothers account, with the gamertag 'a bell jar', so its kinda like another nickname of mine. Some guys in school will say, "hey, bell jar" and i respond to it.
There's a little bit about me, me life, and my blog.