Journal #6

Certain motifs, or recurring ideas, such as the journey, exile, and fate, appear frequently in many Anglo-Saxon works. What recurrent motifs have you found in the three works? Cite evidence in the text to support your answers.

            Most Anglo-Saxon works, especially poetry, contain similar motifs.  These motifs characterize the people, the culture, and the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon time period.  The epic poem Beowulf is about a brave and undefeated hero who travels to another land to slay the beast which has been bothering the area for years.  The poems The Seafarer and The Wanderer are slightly different.  The Seafarer tells the story of a lonely traveler who has set out to sea in an effort to find his fate and something more than materialistic treasures in the world.  Similarly, in The Wanderer, the narrator sets out to sea to find his new life after losing his lord and his loved ones.  All three Anglo-Saxon poems share the same motifs of journey, exile, and fate as the main characters of the poem go out alone to find their purpose in life.

            One of the important motifs of Anglo-Saxon literature is the journey, or the traveling to an unknown, foreign place to find one’s purpose.  In Beowulf, this idea is seen as Beowulf ventures from his land on his way to Hrothgar’s kingdom to help them battle Grendel.  Beowulf left his homeland for a new kingdom in his quest to prove himself.  On a similar note, the narrator of The Seafarer describes his endless journey on sea where he realizes that the material attractions on earth cannot compare to the sea.  He reflects upon how when he first ventured out, he knew that “the time for journeys would come and my soul/Called me eagerly out,/” (lines36-37).  The journey motif is also evident in The Wanderer when the speaker journeys out at sea to find himself and his meaning in life after he had lost his lord, family, and friends.  In the poem, the narrator remembers when his lord died, he considered himself a “lonely traveler long[ing] for grace” (line 1) who was “Lost and homeless,/Forced to flee” (lines 20-21).  Through the numerous references to travel and quests throughout these Anglo-Saxon poems, one can see that journey was important to the people of that time and had therefore become a key motif.

            Another key motif often expressed in literature of that time period would be the exile of the main characters away from the rest of their society.  In Beowulf, for example, Beowulf was a strong and mighty hero who was considered to be stronger and braver the rest of his peers.  This set him apart from the rest of his thanes and he became independent, fighting all of his battles in solidarity.  In The Seafarer, the speaker chooses to set off by himself, hoping that through exile on the sea he will be able to find his true purpose in life.  The narrator feels more at home and more in touch with himself out on the water which he expresses when he notes that his “heart wanders away,/[His] soul roams with the sea” (lines 58-59).  The narrator in The Wanderer achieves his exile through self-outcast resulting from political loyalty.  After his lord dies, the narrator grievingly sets out in hopes to find someone to replace the lord in his life.  His isolation is recognized when the author notes that “[h]e cuts in the sea, sailing endlessly,/Aimlessly, in exile” (lines 4-5).  Through the poems, it is evident that Anglo-Saxons valued solidarity and isolation of heroes through exile.

            The third, and possibly most important, motif of the time is fate, or the idea that one’s purpose in life is predetermined and inevitable.  This belief can be seen in Beowulf as the heroic Beowulf had been fated to beat Grendel and his mother yet lose in a battle with the dragon.  Although he seemed to have made his choices all along, as the dragon in Grendel noted, he had no true control over his destiny and everything was simply meant to happen.  In The Seafarer, the narrator refers to God and accepts the idea that his fate might be a life out at sea.  The speaker succumbs to his destiny when he states that “Fate is stronger/And God mightier than any man’s mind” (lines 115-116).  The narrator in The Wanderer feels fated to have lost his lord and now he is in search of something possibly better to replace the ones he lost.  He acknowledges this idea when he says that “Fate has opened/A single port: memory” (lines 5-6).  Therefore, the mention of fate in the Anglo-Saxon poems promotes the idea that the acceptance of fate leads to success.

            In conclusion, the ideas of journey, exile, and fate were key beliefs in Anglo-Saxon times and were therefore often found in their literature.  Heroes were often noted to go on journeys or quests in order to protect or honor their people.  Main characters in stories were usually seen isolated in exile, since they were portrayed as different from their peers in one way or another.  Furthermore, one’s fate was often thought to be predetermined and someone of that time focused on living up to his or her destiny.  These main ideas show the significance of such beliefs to the Anglo-Saxon people and how it shaped their culture.

Journal #5

What is Grendel’s attitude toward language? How does it change throughout the novel?  [This cannot be completed until Gardner’s book is finished. Reminder: Keep up with the chart I gave you on Grendel’s language development.]

Throughout the novel Grendel, John Gardner relates the other side to the story of Grendel, the beast from the epic poem Beowulf.  In the story, Grendel’s language evolves and becomes more and more sophisticated as he gains knowledge and contact with the human world.  As Grendel spends more time observing and interacting with the humans, he picked up on their linguistic techniques and developed the skills and structure of the human language, incorporating it into his everyday speech.  In the beginning of the novel, Grendel has no linguistic structure at all, using only simple noises and gestures to communicate.  However, once Grendel is introduced to the Shaper, he develops a respect for the poetic nature of the human language.  Grendel sees the shaper as an “artist,” molding his people’s history with beautiful, intricate words.  Grendel also finds linguistic inspiration in Unferth, who uses his words to convince and persuade his thanes and followers.  Similarly to the Shaper, Unferth changes truth and mood with his language at the funeral, shifting the atmosphere from grieving to celebrating.

Throughout the course of Grendel’s encounters with the humans, the reader comes to know that Grendel can understand and speak the human language, although one does not witness him actually conversing with humans.  While observing the humans, Grendel often admires and despises the Shaper’s languages, realizing the power he possesses to spin lies and change history through his eloquent words.  Despite his comments on the Shaper and even Unferth at times, Grendel does not acknowledge his own advancement in language.  The reader becomes aware of Grendel’s linguistic developments only through the change in his syntax and writing style and he continues his story.  However, the reader also gains insight when Grendel implies that, even though he despises the Shaper at times, he envies his linguistic skills and wants to have that kind of power and influence.  He also starts to show off his language in chapter six when he refers to himself in poetic third term names such as “Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings!”  This is one of the first examples the reader sees of Grendel actually speaking with humans.

Towards the end of the novel, Grendel’s language becomes even more advanced.  One major example of this is when Grendel writes an entire chapter in the form of a play.  He also demonstrates his linguistic skills by setting up characters’ speeches and monologues.  In addition, Grendel starts to write in poetry.  His poetic skills are seen when he writes about Hrothgar in phrases such as “Grendel is crazy O, O, O! Thinks old Hrothger makes it snow!” and “Grendel is crazy O, O, O! Thinks old Hrothger makes it snow!”  However, the ultimate display of Grendel’s improvement of language is when he speaks with Unferth, who actually understands and carries on a conversation.  This event proves that Grendel has so evolved that he could communicate with the humans, no longer being isolated in his world of silence. 

Journal #4

Epic poetry usually embodies the attitudes and ideals of an entire culture. What values of Anglo-Saxon society does Beowulf reveal? What universal themes does it also reveal? Use specific examples from the poem to support your answer [300-350 words].

In most epics, the plot and the characters reveal underlying themes and beliefs of a particular culture throughout the story.  This holds true in the story of Beowulf since the characters’ actions, notions, and reactions display their ideas and customs.  One of the major ideals of Beowulf’s people was the idea that one could gain immortality through a death in battle.  The people thought that the only noble way to die was in duel that was fought to the death for one’s honor.  This is shown in the epic when Beowulf states “my lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to” (Raffel 25).  Here, Beowulf demonstrates how bravery and courage were highly esteemed by the Anglo-Saxon society.  Most people of the time believed that it was dignified to engage in battle in order to defend oneself or one’s country.  Moreover, another common belief was that every citizen, especially the king, should always defend and try to give back to his country.  This idea is evident in Beowulf since Beowulf continues to fight the dragon to his death, despite his old age, just to earn the treasure for his thanes.  In addition, Beowulf displays his lordly generosity as he travels to Hrothgar’s kingdom to battle Grendel, not even knowing the people of the kingdom.  This shows how Beowulf felt it his duty to fight for his people, or any people for that matter.  However, the main ideal shown in Beowulf is the idea that glory can be gained through battle and courage.  This idea is emphasized through the constant boasts of the thanes in the mead-hall.  The men feel that if they declare their winnings in battle, the other men will be awestruck and pay more respect.  Consequently, all of the actions and ideas of Beowulf and his thanes in the classic epic demonstrate the ideals and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon people of Beowulf’s time. 

Journal #3

The epic closes on a somber, elegiac note—a note of mourning. What words or images contribute to this tone? Length:  150-200 words.

 At the end of Beowulf, all of his thanes are sent into a bout of depression when their great King Beowulf has been killed by the dragon.  As a result, the ending of the epic leaves off on a somber, elegiac note, made evident by the phrasing and imagery of the last section.  For example, the author states that the “warriors rode around the tomb…all of them distraught” (lines 829-831).  Here the author emphasizes how much Beowulf meant to the men “as a man and a king” (line 832).  To them, Beowulf was the epitome of heroism and, furthermore, their last hope in life’s continuous journey against evil.  Beowulf had held the Geats together, fighting every battle for their honor and welfare.  The Geats recognized this generosity and, in mourning his death, “said that of all the kings upon the earth/he was the man most gracious and fair-minded,/kindest to his people and keenest to win fame” (lines 840-842).  The Geats realized Beowulf’s greatness and superiority and acknowledged them as the best leader they had ever had.  Therefore, when the epic closes with Beowulf’s death, the author is sure to include many literary techniques and devices that will show the reader how great of a loss it was to the Geats, Beowulf’s thanes. 

Journal #2

Grendel Analysis Essay

Since the beginning of time, wherever there is good, there must also be evil. Consequently, all stories about an epic hero contain a monster of some sort that symbolizes everything bad in the world. This is also true for the epic poem Beowulf, in which Beowulf must slay the horrible creature, Grendel.  Grendel is portrayed as being pure evil, feared and hated by all but loved by none.  Throughout Beowulf, an anonymous author characterizes the monster Grendel through his actions, his motives, and the way he is perceived by the people.

Grendel receives a reputation for being such a horrid monster based on his actions.  His relentless murders and nonchalant raids make him seem like a cold-blooded killer with an unquenchable thirst for blood.  Grendel had a history for such horrendous actions, noted as having “haunted the moors” (Raffel 17) and making “his home in a hell” (Raffel 18).  Hrothgar’s men, along with people from all over the European area, had learned to live in fear of Grendel, never knowing when or where he may strike next.  Everyone knew that Grendel had no sympathy and attacked and murdered whoever was bothering him at the moment.  Grendel’s first astonishing move in Beowulf, however, was the invasion of the mead-hall.  In his foray to Herot, Grendel “snatched up thirty men, smashed them” (Raffel 37) and “ran out with their bodies,/The blood dripping behind him” (Raffel 38-39).  In this venture, Grendel showed no remorse for violently murdering a whole group of men, who lay innocently “sleeping” in the mead-hall.  As a result, Grendel is seen as an unforgiving, relentless murderer.  Even yet, the reader learns more about Grendel’s character in his final battle with Beowulf.  Although Beowulf would win the battle in the end, it was not without a struggle, finding out that Grendel was stronger than any human, for “their points/Could not hurt him, the sharpest and hardest iron/Could not scratch at his skin” (Raffel 481-483).  Here, the reader learns of the almost supernatural powers that Grendel possesses.  This fact makes the people even more afraid since his unworldly strength make him even more dangerous.  Through these actions, the reader can understand how Grendel is a horrendous, uncontrollable fiend with no sympathy or second thoughts for the victims of his wrath.

            In addition to his spiteful actions, Grendel’s evil character can be explained by his motives for such awful doings.  Grendel’s first excuse for his behavior is his natural disposition to be evil.  The author claims that Grendel “was spawned in that slime” (Raffel 19), implying that it was purely instinct for Grendel to do such evil things.  This reason insists that, since it was Grendel’s nature to kill and attack, it had become his way of life; he knew nothing else.  He never knew what it was to love or to be loved, not even by God himself.  Therefore, it seemed as if Grendel could have been born without a heart or a conscience at all.  Furthermore, the author points out that Grendel was “conceived by a pair of those monsters born/Of Cain” (Raffel 20-21).  Grendel’s background hints that it was simply in Grendel’s blood to be a killer and it was a natural inclination for Grendel to be evil.  Moreover, this biblical allusion connects the evil in Beowulf’s society to the original evil in the beginning of time.  However, probably the most logical explanation for Grendel’s actions is his resentment towards society.  As stated, Grendel was “banished/by God” (Raffel 21-22) and the “exile was bitter” (Raffel 24) since he was “shut away from men” (Raffel 25).  Since the beginning of his life, Grendel was forced to live away from the rest of society, simply because of his origins.  This continuously growing resentment towards Hrothgar’s people in particular fuels Grendel’s hatred and evil actions.  In these typical explanations, the author attempts to explain reasons for evil in the world through Grendel's own motives.

Finally, and probably most important, the people's reactions towards Grendel demonstrate the role he plays in his society.  The people’s initial reaction to Grendel was to be completely fearful of this supernatural and unforgiving monster.  “Hrothgar’s men lived happy” (Raffel 15) until they were aware that Grendel was on his way to destroy their peace.  In addition, no other warrior was brave enough to battle Grendel except for Beowulf, who is noted as being stronger than his peers.  But although the people generally feared Grendel, there was also a sense of respect for such a “powerful monster”(Raffel 1).  With his supernatural strength and abilities, Grendel is esteemed for being such a worthy opponent in battle.  He is undefeatable at first, which makes him all the more dangerous and threatening, but respected at the same time.  Above all else, however, the people rejoice at Grendel’s death.  When Beowulf had finally defeated Grendel, he had “ended the grief, the sorrow, and the suffering” (Raffel 512) of the Geats.  With Grendel gone, society finally felt a sense of safety and happiness.  Grendel fits the archetype of the evil monster, especially because of the way he is perceived and rejected by the general public of his society.

In the epic poem Beowulf, Grendel, an undeniably horrendous monster, is characterized through what he does, why he does these things, and how society reacts to his doings.  Grendel commits many murderous actions that reveal his blood-thirsty nature.  In addition, the author includes information about his motives, possibly a natural inclination or a growing resentment.  Finally, the people’s reactions to the creature ultimately decide what role Grendel plays in his society.  By creating such a scary creature of evil, the author of Beowulf attempts to explain the evil in the world and the reasons for it.

Journal #1

Beowulf is the archetype of the dragon slayer, the hero who faces death in order to save a threatened community. Does Beowulf remind you of any heroes in real life, in fiction, or in the movies today? What characteristics do the heroes share?

Over a thousand years later, many of today’s heroes fit the mold of Beowulf’s archetypical hero.  Batman, an important fictional hero in today’s time, is especially similar to Beowulf.  First of all, Batman and Beowulf have the same motives for fighting or provoking battle.  Even though Beowulf was seeking fame and fortune in his epic battle, his primary motivation was the safety and prosperity of his people.  Likewise, Batman originally starts to fight crime in hopes of saving Gotham City and protecting the citizens from evil.  Another major similarity is the heroes’ strengths and weaknesses.  Beowulf is stronger than all of his peers, but he is still simply a human, nothing compared to Grendel’s supernatural strengths and powers.   Similarly, Batman is just an ordinary man, despite his money, who has no previous training or natural skills in combat.  As a result, it always comes as a surprise when he defeats such skilled enemies, just like Grendel for Beowulf.  However, Beowulf and Batman each seem to have one advantage – their weapons.  Although he does not use it to fight Grendel, Beowulf is known for always carrying his sword Hrunting.  Beowulf trusted his sword to protect him from dangers that his own physical strength could not handle.  Furthermore, when Hrunting failed him in the battle against Grendel’s mother, Beowulf came upon a magical sword, or a more advanced weapon, which helped him win the fight.  Batman has a similar reliance upon his weapons.  Since Batman was not blessed with such super-human strength, he purchases and creates countless gadgets to aid him in his fights against crime.  Batman and Beowulf’s dependence on their weapons unite their fighting techniques.  These similarities and many more prove that Beowulf’s archetypical epic hero can be found in heroes today, such as Batman.