Thursday, January 29, 2009
OBAMA!!!!
As you all know Obama was inaugurated just this last Tuesday. I personally am super excited to see how he deals with all the issue going on in America today. Especially with issues involving the environment. there is a lot that needs to be changed, regarding recycling and overall conservation of the environment.
Monday, December 8, 2008
LRJ # 3
Values-
In this Selection of Beowulf it is clear that honor was highly valued in their culture; especially an honorable death. Beowulf receives his honorable death, being nearly cut down in battle. Yet knowing of his honor he looks death in the face with pride. " I thank the Wonder-King,the Ruler of All,that I could win this for my people before my death-day. I have traded my old life for the people's needs" (online, episode 12). Along with honor, family or kinship is also valued in this selection. When beowulf is on the verge of death he hands over his helmit, a ring and chain mail to Wiglaf. "He unfastened from his neck,his golden necklace, gave itto the brave young warrior,and a gold-trimmed helmet,a ring, and mail.He bid him use them well."You are the lastremnant of our kin," (omline, episode 12). He says to wiglaf that he is the last of their kin and needs to continue the blood line of Waegmundings.
Difference-
In previous sections of beowulf the plot and characters intentions were come to much slower. this selection moves much faster; the plot is along a much shorter space and the conclusion of Beowulfs death is come to much faster.
Honorable?-
The circumstances of Beowulfs death are considerd to be honorable. An honorable death for a hero is to die victorius, the winner particularly in battle. This is precisely what Beowulf did.
In this Selection of Beowulf it is clear that honor was highly valued in their culture; especially an honorable death. Beowulf receives his honorable death, being nearly cut down in battle. Yet knowing of his honor he looks death in the face with pride. " I thank the Wonder-King,the Ruler of All,that I could win this for my people before my death-day. I have traded my old life for the people's needs" (online, episode 12). Along with honor, family or kinship is also valued in this selection. When beowulf is on the verge of death he hands over his helmit, a ring and chain mail to Wiglaf. "He unfastened from his neck,his golden necklace, gave itto the brave young warrior,and a gold-trimmed helmet,a ring, and mail.He bid him use them well."You are the lastremnant of our kin," (omline, episode 12). He says to wiglaf that he is the last of their kin and needs to continue the blood line of Waegmundings.
Difference-
In previous sections of beowulf the plot and characters intentions were come to much slower. this selection moves much faster; the plot is along a much shorter space and the conclusion of Beowulfs death is come to much faster.
Honorable?-
The circumstances of Beowulfs death are considerd to be honorable. An honorable death for a hero is to die victorius, the winner particularly in battle. This is precisely what Beowulf did.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
LRJ # 1
Values-
In the culture of Beowulf it is clearly implied that courage and strength are highly valued. In one of the story scene Beowulf takes on Grendel (a monster whom had been feasting on men for decades) and does so fearlessly/courageously. In defeating Grendel his men's swords are useless against the monster, so Beowulf takes him down with his strength alone, by completely tearing of Grendel's arm. Soon after this scene the warriors are reflecting on the battle. They claim the Beowulf of any man in the whole world, is most deserving to rule a kingdom. "They spoke of Beowulf's glorious deed, often saying that no man under the sky's expanse, North nor South between the seas, no man who bore a shield, was more worthy of a kingdom" (episode 4).
Alliterations-
In episode four of the online translation of Beowulf the author describes what Grendel wanted to do as Beowulf held him- "to get away, to flee to his hiding place, flee to the devils he kept". The author uses this repetition of "to" to put emphasis on the fact that Grendel's was afraid and wanted to leave/ to go away. Also in the fourth episode the author explains the wine hall and how amazing it was that it was still intact after the battle- "But it was made fast,within and without, with iron bands ". the author uses the repetition "with" to put emphasis the hall's structure itself.
Kennings-
Kennings are a way for the author to describe a character, place or thing with out actually stating it. In episode four of the online translation of Beowulf the author uses the kennings-"Hell's friend, God's enemy". this kenning implies the Grendel is an evil monster.
Also in episode four the author uses another kenning to describe Grendel. "walker of darkness" this implies that Grendel's is only/usually seen at night.
In the culture of Beowulf it is clearly implied that courage and strength are highly valued. In one of the story scene Beowulf takes on Grendel (a monster whom had been feasting on men for decades) and does so fearlessly/courageously. In defeating Grendel his men's swords are useless against the monster, so Beowulf takes him down with his strength alone, by completely tearing of Grendel's arm. Soon after this scene the warriors are reflecting on the battle. They claim the Beowulf of any man in the whole world, is most deserving to rule a kingdom. "They spoke of Beowulf's glorious deed, often saying that no man under the sky's expanse, North nor South between the seas, no man who bore a shield, was more worthy of a kingdom" (episode 4).
Alliterations-
In episode four of the online translation of Beowulf the author describes what Grendel wanted to do as Beowulf held him- "to get away, to flee to his hiding place, flee to the devils he kept". The author uses this repetition of "to" to put emphasis on the fact that Grendel's was afraid and wanted to leave/ to go away. Also in the fourth episode the author explains the wine hall and how amazing it was that it was still intact after the battle- "But it was made fast,within and without, with iron bands ". the author uses the repetition "with" to put emphasis the hall's structure itself.
Kennings-
Kennings are a way for the author to describe a character, place or thing with out actually stating it. In episode four of the online translation of Beowulf the author uses the kennings-"Hell's friend, God's enemy". this kenning implies the Grendel is an evil monster.
Also in episode four the author uses another kenning to describe Grendel. "walker of darkness" this implies that Grendel's is only/usually seen at night.
Friday, December 5, 2008
LRJ # 2
Values-
This excerpt from Beowulf display multiple values. For one example it is highly valued that when a man is victorious over his enemy; he severs a body part from his enemy (usually the head) and puts it up for all to see. This is depicted when Beowulf displays the head of Grendel to the town. "Grendel's head was hauled by the hair, dragged across the floor where the people were drinking, a horror for both queen and company to behold" (lines 1647-1649). Another value displayed in Beowulf is revenge. Interestingly this is not only seen in the societies but also in the monsters the people face. For example it is no surprise to the people when Grendel's mother comes violently seeking revenge for her son. "but now his mother had sallied forth on a savage journey, grief racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge" (lines 1276-1278).
Unrealistic-
In many stories characters are sometimes depicted to have unrealistic ablilities. For example a character may have unimaginable levels of strength, fairytale powers or simply performing the impossible. In Beowulf there is a point in which, Beowulf spends hours underwater with out resurfacing. "he dived into the heaving depths of the lake. It was the best part of the day before he could see the solid bottom" (lines 1494-1496). This is a perfect example of unrealistic ablitities or tasks.
Favorite Quote-
My favorite quote from this excerpt of Beowulf was when his sword was described. The image it creats in your mind of a solid metal sword melting like a peice of ice seems intesting to me. "the sword began to wilt into gory icicles, to slather and thaw. it was a wonderful thing, the way it all melted as ice melts when the father eases the fetters off the frost and unravels the water-ropes" (lines 1605-1610).
This excerpt from Beowulf display multiple values. For one example it is highly valued that when a man is victorious over his enemy; he severs a body part from his enemy (usually the head) and puts it up for all to see. This is depicted when Beowulf displays the head of Grendel to the town. "Grendel's head was hauled by the hair, dragged across the floor where the people were drinking, a horror for both queen and company to behold" (lines 1647-1649). Another value displayed in Beowulf is revenge. Interestingly this is not only seen in the societies but also in the monsters the people face. For example it is no surprise to the people when Grendel's mother comes violently seeking revenge for her son. "but now his mother had sallied forth on a savage journey, grief racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge" (lines 1276-1278).
Unrealistic-
In many stories characters are sometimes depicted to have unrealistic ablilities. For example a character may have unimaginable levels of strength, fairytale powers or simply performing the impossible. In Beowulf there is a point in which, Beowulf spends hours underwater with out resurfacing. "he dived into the heaving depths of the lake. It was the best part of the day before he could see the solid bottom" (lines 1494-1496). This is a perfect example of unrealistic ablitities or tasks.
Favorite Quote-
My favorite quote from this excerpt of Beowulf was when his sword was described. The image it creats in your mind of a solid metal sword melting like a peice of ice seems intesting to me. "the sword began to wilt into gory icicles, to slather and thaw. it was a wonderful thing, the way it all melted as ice melts when the father eases the fetters off the frost and unravels the water-ropes" (lines 1605-1610).
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Sisters Devotion
Last weekend we mourned the death of two brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles who sadly died in battle. Eteocles was given a honorable, traditional burial while his brother was left in the field to be scavenged. This was so due to the decree of king Creon: that Eteocles be given a proper burial while Polyneices be disgraced; And as always a king's decrees are never questioned. Yet astonishingly it has been discovered that someone has in fact performed a burial ritual for polyneices, against the king's will! Surely a suicide mission! the culprit was not discovered till later that day when guards spotted Antigone Polyneices's sister performing a burial ritual! Again! She had not only crossed the king once, but twice! The guard es swiftly took her to king Creon who is currently holding her captive. There is even rumor that Creon plans to kill Antigone for her actions. she must have known this was coming?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
New english blog
Technology is like a foreign language to me, no matter how many times I use it, i never quite grasp whats really going on. Right now I think I have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing, which is exciting! I hope that in the future I will be able to use this blog for more then just LRJs, I have no clue as to what I would use it for but I think it can/will come in handy in the future.
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