1. Pg. 11 - "Sit down to long, somebody will figure out a way to tie them up." Slaves are not free to just sit down and relax. If a slave is not working then white people are going to make them suffer. All humans should be allowed to relax.
2. Pg. 54 - "For a used-to-be-slave woman to love anything that much was dangerous, especially if it was her children she had settle on to love." This quote is stating that slaves have gone through a lot of hard times. For them to love something so much is dangerous because, chances are, it is going to be taken away. In Sethe's case, she didn't want her children to go through as much as she did, so she felt it would be better to kill them.
3. Pg. 195 - "You got two feet, Sethe, not four." Paul D. is stating that Sethe is not an animal. Animals kill there flesh and blood, humans don't. Paul D. wants Sethe to know she had other options. She didn't have to kill her kid. She was finally free and could have found a way to keep her children safe from the hardships white people would give them.
4. Pg. 200 - "Denver needed somebody normal in her life." Irony to the fact that nobody is normal. Her life would never be normal. She grew up with a mother who endured slavery. Her mother is cursed with the memories of her past and will never be set free from them.
5. Pg. 201 - "Deeper and more painful...scorching his soul like a silver dollar in a fool's pocket, was the memory of Baby Suggs..." Baby Suggs made an impact on Paul D.
6. Pg. 208 - "My marrow is tired, he thought." Stamp Paid is tired all the way down to the bone. He is just plain tired.
7. Pg. 208 - "Her authority ... all that had been mocked and rebuked by the bloodspill in her backyard." Baby Suggs had to live with the knowledge of her daughter killing her grandbaby.
8. Pg. 208 - "He believed then that shame put her in the bed." She was sick, tired, and just plain worn out. She was just ready to lay and rest.
9. Pg. 209 - "After years of losing children to the people who chewed up her life and spit it out like a fish bone;..." The white people have felt as though black people owed them their life. The white people took the blacks and used them as animals until there was nothing left to use. They abused them and tormented them.
10. Pg. 209 - "...and then to have the community step back and hold itself at a distance..." The community wanted nothing to do with 124. They were a strange family and nobody wanted to be a part of it. To help them was out of the question. People are scared of the unusual. People like their life to be normal and plain.
11. Pg. 214 - "...if her daughter could come back home from the timeless place..." This is Sethe's first acknowledgment of Beloved's death.
12. Pg. 215 - "hominy" ??? definition is coursely ground corn to make grits.
13. Pg. 215 - "Think on it then lay it down - for good." Let the past be the past. Just let it go.
14. Pg. 219 - "Not me. I'm going to stay riled till somebody gets some sense and leastway act like a Christian." Help fellow people around you.
15. Pg. 237 - "
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Friday, December 11, 2009
Hamlet
1. In Act four Hamlet tricks his father into going to a play put on by the players who come to entertain Hamlet. Hamlet realizes what the ghost told him about his Uncle is true. Claudius killed his dad. Hamlet knows this by the way Claudius acted toward the play.
2.
Exposition:
The exposition is when we hear of Fortinbras and Old King Hamlet and there deal. We are informed about the land. This is the beginning of how Old King Fortinbras died and why Claudius' kingdom is going to be attacked by Young Fortinbras. We also are told how Hamlet feels about his relationship with his mother, his uncle, and even Ophelia. At the castle, with the guards, when the ghost starts appearing is also part of the exposition.
Inciting Event:
The inciting event is when the ghost reveals to Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius. The ghost explains that he is forced to walk in purgatory because of the sin of Claudius. If it weren't for the murder of Old Hamlet, he would have been able to confess his sins and repent.
Rising Action:
Polonius has his servant go to France to spy on Laertes. Ophelia tells Polonius of how Hamlet invaded her room and acted crazy. Polonius tells Ophelia it must have been his love madness. Polonius says that they have to tell King Claudius about Hamlets actions. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet the King and Queen. Hamlet realizes that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are there to spy on him. They tell Hamlet that the players are on there way to entertain him. Hamlet greets the actors.
1. Claudius plans to have Hamlet, Guildenstern, and Rosencrantz killed in England.
2. Polonius is to hide behind the tapestry to make sure the Queen is kept safe against Hamlet and to listen to what Hamlet hopefully reveals.
3.
a) Claudius admits to killing his brother, Old King Hamlet.
b)?
c)?
4. Hamlet doesn't think that the King is good enough to pray so it is strange. Plus the King said that he couldn't pray, and in fact the King is just pretending to pray.
5. Just as Hamlet was about to kill Claudius, Hamlet realizes that he is "praying". Hamlet knows, by experience, that he can't kill Claudius while he is repenting for his sins. He needs to wait until Claudius is doing some bad deed. This way Claudius will have to spend time in purgatory instead of going straight to Heaven.
Scene IV:
1. Polonius tells Queen Gertrude to be very harsh and not to spare feelings toward Hamlet. Hamlet caused a lot of problems for the King with the play that he asked the players to put on.
2. Polonius is like a rat. All Polonius does is spy on people. He spies on Laertes, Hamlet, Ophelia, and almost everyone else in the play. This is the line Hamlet says as he stabs Polonius from behind the tapestry.
3. Hamlet decides to blame Claudius for killing Old Hamlet instead of dealing with the murder of Polonius. Hamlet doesn't seem to care that he just killed Polonius, he is more concerned with the death and murder of his dad.
4. Gertrude doesn't know that Old Hamlet was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet suspects that she may have helped Claudius but he doesn't know for sure. She is offended that Hamlet, her own son, would accuse her of such acts.
5. Hamlet describes his dad as being blessed by tons of Greek gods and has curly hair. Claudius is described as a rotten piece of corn.
6. Hamlet compares his dad and his uncle. He is saying that Claudius is a bad man and a bad king. He implies many times that Claudius is responsible for killing Old Hamlet. He also says that Old Hamlet was suited for the throne of the castle and Claudius is not at all fitted for the position.
7. It is disturbing because Hamlet is talking about his mother sleeping with his uncle, which is incest and disgusting. Most children will not talk about there own parents sleeping together but Hamlet is talking about his mother and his father's brother. It is just wrong.
8. Hamlet is stopped by his father's ghost. The ghost reminds him that he still needs to get his revenge on Claudius. Also the ghost tells Hamlet to watch over his mothers mind and heart to keep her safe and sane.
9. "...and do not spread the compost on the weeds." Hamlet could mean that he is going to kill Claudius to end the hurt and incest that Claudius has brought into their lives. I think his ideas reflect madness to a certain extent. He is driven to kill his uncle and his king by the ghost of his father.
10. The ghost is a very curious part of Act I, but now in Act III it is more predictable. Not all the way predictable but more so than in Act I. In Act I the ghost was new and scary now the ghost is something that Hamlet waits for an appearance. The ghost, as he appears, has more and more driven Hamlet to the murder of his uncle. The ghost in Act III has pressured Hamlet into hurrying the murder of his uncle. It seem as though the ghost is getting a little impatient. Hamlet is starting to get worried.
2.
Exposition:
The exposition is when we hear of Fortinbras and Old King Hamlet and there deal. We are informed about the land. This is the beginning of how Old King Fortinbras died and why Claudius' kingdom is going to be attacked by Young Fortinbras. We also are told how Hamlet feels about his relationship with his mother, his uncle, and even Ophelia. At the castle, with the guards, when the ghost starts appearing is also part of the exposition.
Inciting Event:
The inciting event is when the ghost reveals to Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius. The ghost explains that he is forced to walk in purgatory because of the sin of Claudius. If it weren't for the murder of Old Hamlet, he would have been able to confess his sins and repent.
Rising Action:
Polonius has his servant go to France to spy on Laertes. Ophelia tells Polonius of how Hamlet invaded her room and acted crazy. Polonius tells Ophelia it must have been his love madness. Polonius says that they have to tell King Claudius about Hamlets actions. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet the King and Queen. Hamlet realizes that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are there to spy on him. They tell Hamlet that the players are on there way to entertain him. Hamlet greets the actors.
1. Claudius plans to have Hamlet, Guildenstern, and Rosencrantz killed in England.
2. Polonius is to hide behind the tapestry to make sure the Queen is kept safe against Hamlet and to listen to what Hamlet hopefully reveals.
3.
a) Claudius admits to killing his brother, Old King Hamlet.
b)?
c)?
4. Hamlet doesn't think that the King is good enough to pray so it is strange. Plus the King said that he couldn't pray, and in fact the King is just pretending to pray.
5. Just as Hamlet was about to kill Claudius, Hamlet realizes that he is "praying". Hamlet knows, by experience, that he can't kill Claudius while he is repenting for his sins. He needs to wait until Claudius is doing some bad deed. This way Claudius will have to spend time in purgatory instead of going straight to Heaven.
Scene IV:
1. Polonius tells Queen Gertrude to be very harsh and not to spare feelings toward Hamlet. Hamlet caused a lot of problems for the King with the play that he asked the players to put on.
2. Polonius is like a rat. All Polonius does is spy on people. He spies on Laertes, Hamlet, Ophelia, and almost everyone else in the play. This is the line Hamlet says as he stabs Polonius from behind the tapestry.
3. Hamlet decides to blame Claudius for killing Old Hamlet instead of dealing with the murder of Polonius. Hamlet doesn't seem to care that he just killed Polonius, he is more concerned with the death and murder of his dad.
4. Gertrude doesn't know that Old Hamlet was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet suspects that she may have helped Claudius but he doesn't know for sure. She is offended that Hamlet, her own son, would accuse her of such acts.
5. Hamlet describes his dad as being blessed by tons of Greek gods and has curly hair. Claudius is described as a rotten piece of corn.
6. Hamlet compares his dad and his uncle. He is saying that Claudius is a bad man and a bad king. He implies many times that Claudius is responsible for killing Old Hamlet. He also says that Old Hamlet was suited for the throne of the castle and Claudius is not at all fitted for the position.
7. It is disturbing because Hamlet is talking about his mother sleeping with his uncle, which is incest and disgusting. Most children will not talk about there own parents sleeping together but Hamlet is talking about his mother and his father's brother. It is just wrong.
8. Hamlet is stopped by his father's ghost. The ghost reminds him that he still needs to get his revenge on Claudius. Also the ghost tells Hamlet to watch over his mothers mind and heart to keep her safe and sane.
9. "...and do not spread the compost on the weeds." Hamlet could mean that he is going to kill Claudius to end the hurt and incest that Claudius has brought into their lives. I think his ideas reflect madness to a certain extent. He is driven to kill his uncle and his king by the ghost of his father.
10. The ghost is a very curious part of Act I, but now in Act III it is more predictable. Not all the way predictable but more so than in Act I. In Act I the ghost was new and scary now the ghost is something that Hamlet waits for an appearance. The ghost, as he appears, has more and more driven Hamlet to the murder of his uncle. The ghost in Act III has pressured Hamlet into hurrying the murder of his uncle. It seem as though the ghost is getting a little impatient. Hamlet is starting to get worried.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hamlet's Soliloquy
I am so angry. My father just died. What is she thinking. My mother is going to marry my uncle. He is nothing like my father. He just wants to be King and take the place of my father. My mother is marrying into incest. This is an impure act of sin. I wish my mother would deal with my father's death in a different way. She is just rushing into this marriage to escape the emotions of my father's death. This marriage is not a good thing and I know it is going to end badly. I do not have a very good feeling about this. I have no choice but to let my mother do what she wishes, however I do not agree with what she is doing. I will just let her decide how to handle things.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1. Gawain starts out at the beginning of his journey from Camelot. He travels through the wilderness and is away from all things living. His journey is into the unknown. He is unaware of what is going to happen on his journey. He gets to the castle of temptation. Where he undergoes a challenge. He dies when the Green Knight nicks him with his axe. This is when Gawain realizes that he has lied and done wrong to the King who voluntary let him stay at the castle. Sir Gawain is reborn when he starts his journey back to Camelot. It is kind of like Sir Gawain went in a circle on his journey. He starts at Camelot, goes through the wilderness, gets to the castle, meets the Green Knight, and travels back through the wilderness, back to Camelot.
2. The physical death is when Gawain gets hit by the axe. Sir Gawain realizes that he has been hit and is still alive. Sir Gawain dies spiritually when he realizes the whole thing was a game. He realizes, as a Knight he should have been more honest.
3. This story is mostly written in Sir Gawain's point of view. We follow Sir Gawain through all of his struggles. We see into all the faults of Sir Gawain. Through the story we follow Sir Gawain and see how he struggles with the temptations of the Lady. Sir Gawain is to conform to the Lady and do what she is asking, but he knows that is wrong for she is married. We get to see the thoughts and feelings of Sir Gawain. We know that he is tempted to sleep with the Lady but we also know he knows it is wrong.
4. I feel, for the time being, Sir Gawain is ruined as a Knight. I think that eventually he will slowly get over the fact that he was dishonest. Sir Gawain is continuously reminded of his fault by the girdle. For right now Gawain is going to go back to Camelot and see if he can't mend what he has done. The Green Knight forgave him for his dishonor but now Sir Gawain needs to learn to forgive himself for that. This is something Sir Gawain is going to have to learn to deal with. Eventually, I believe, he will get over it and return to the knight he once was.
5. The King is being used by Morgan le Fay. The King then, to fulfill his responsibilities, uses the Lady to try and have Gawain falter. They were testing the abilities of Sir Gawain to help see if he is a great knight. The Lady, using her wiles, got Gawain to give up on his faith and become dishonest. Then Sir Gawain has to pay for his mistake. I feel the most likely response to this question is the Lady. I feel that if the Lady wanted to, she could have decided not to go through with the plan. She is the most important role in the game because without her Sir Gawain would not have faltered.
2. The physical death is when Gawain gets hit by the axe. Sir Gawain realizes that he has been hit and is still alive. Sir Gawain dies spiritually when he realizes the whole thing was a game. He realizes, as a Knight he should have been more honest.
3. This story is mostly written in Sir Gawain's point of view. We follow Sir Gawain through all of his struggles. We see into all the faults of Sir Gawain. Through the story we follow Sir Gawain and see how he struggles with the temptations of the Lady. Sir Gawain is to conform to the Lady and do what she is asking, but he knows that is wrong for she is married. We get to see the thoughts and feelings of Sir Gawain. We know that he is tempted to sleep with the Lady but we also know he knows it is wrong.
4. I feel, for the time being, Sir Gawain is ruined as a Knight. I think that eventually he will slowly get over the fact that he was dishonest. Sir Gawain is continuously reminded of his fault by the girdle. For right now Gawain is going to go back to Camelot and see if he can't mend what he has done. The Green Knight forgave him for his dishonor but now Sir Gawain needs to learn to forgive himself for that. This is something Sir Gawain is going to have to learn to deal with. Eventually, I believe, he will get over it and return to the knight he once was.
5. The King is being used by Morgan le Fay. The King then, to fulfill his responsibilities, uses the Lady to try and have Gawain falter. They were testing the abilities of Sir Gawain to help see if he is a great knight. The Lady, using her wiles, got Gawain to give up on his faith and become dishonest. Then Sir Gawain has to pay for his mistake. I feel the most likely response to this question is the Lady. I feel that if the Lady wanted to, she could have decided not to go through with the plan. She is the most important role in the game because without her Sir Gawain would not have faltered.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1. The hunting scenes are very closely connected to the bedroom scenes. The hunting and bedroom scenes reinforce the themes of games and the role of woman. Every-time the hunting becomes more difficult, so does seducing Gawain. The animals represent the difficulty levels of trapping Gawain.
The first hunt is a young female deer. The King is very sure that he is going to trap the young deer for he feels it is an easy hunt. The Lady, the same. She is in Gawain's room, thinking that it will be so easy to persuade him with her wiles. She thinks that she is so effective in her tactics that she is sure that she will get him.
The second hunt is a little harder. The King is chasing a boar. This boar is a little more wise then the deer. The hunters are more threatened by the boar. He is trying to fight back because he feels intimidated by the hunters. Like the boar, Gawain starts to fight back, but still allows the woman to persuade him a little more than the day before.
The third hunt was a fox. The fox is much harder to kill. It is extremely fast and its a lot smaller than the boar. With its fast speed and its small body it is harder to aim and hit. The Lady continues to try and convince Gawain. Although she gets further with him, he is still very hard to trap. She gets him, just as the King got the fox, with the girdle. He takes the girdle to protect him, for he is scared. She gives him the girdle knowing he won't tell the King and therefore, the plan is working to a little extent.
2. I feel as though Gawain, though trying to avoid temptation, fails to an extent. Gawain is thrown into hard circumstances. Although he wants to have the woman and is being seduced by her, he made a promise to the King. He is trying, in his actions, not to dishonor his trust of the King, nor hurt the Lady. Gawain feels he has lost all his honor. He feels as though he failed to be a good knight.
3. The climax of the story, as far as Fit 3 goes, is when Gawain does not tell the King about the girdle. This is the first time in the story that Gawain breaks his word. Throughout all the times when he is with the Lady, he keeps his promise to the King. He gives the King exactly what the Lady gave to him, until he is given the girdle that is supposed to keep him alive.
4. The girdle could represent sin and dishonesty. Also it represents Christianity vs. Paganism. When Gawain accepts the girdle he is told that it is going to save whoever wears it. Gawain takes it to protect him from the Green Knight. Instead of taking his shield, which has the Virgin Mary and the pentangle on it, he takes the girdle. At this point he has fallen away from Christ and Christianity. He has chosen to rely on the girdle, that the woman has given him. The woman was dishonest when she gave Gawain the girdle.
5. Sir Gawain knows that it is wrong to be with another mans wife. Sir Gawain tries to maintain some sort of order when it comes to going to far with the Lady. It is part of the Christian religion to be with one man or one woman (of the opposite sex) for the rest of your life. Sir Gawain knows that the Lady is married and knows of it to be wrong if he were to do anything with her. Sir Gawain makes a point to let the woman know they wouldn't do anything but kiss.
Another is, of course, the girdle. Gawain, is now relying on the girdle to protect him, and no longer waiting for God to help him. He has taken his religion and passed it for something material. Gawain, now trusts in the material gift of the Lady.
The first hunt is a young female deer. The King is very sure that he is going to trap the young deer for he feels it is an easy hunt. The Lady, the same. She is in Gawain's room, thinking that it will be so easy to persuade him with her wiles. She thinks that she is so effective in her tactics that she is sure that she will get him.
The second hunt is a little harder. The King is chasing a boar. This boar is a little more wise then the deer. The hunters are more threatened by the boar. He is trying to fight back because he feels intimidated by the hunters. Like the boar, Gawain starts to fight back, but still allows the woman to persuade him a little more than the day before.
The third hunt was a fox. The fox is much harder to kill. It is extremely fast and its a lot smaller than the boar. With its fast speed and its small body it is harder to aim and hit. The Lady continues to try and convince Gawain. Although she gets further with him, he is still very hard to trap. She gets him, just as the King got the fox, with the girdle. He takes the girdle to protect him, for he is scared. She gives him the girdle knowing he won't tell the King and therefore, the plan is working to a little extent.
2. I feel as though Gawain, though trying to avoid temptation, fails to an extent. Gawain is thrown into hard circumstances. Although he wants to have the woman and is being seduced by her, he made a promise to the King. He is trying, in his actions, not to dishonor his trust of the King, nor hurt the Lady. Gawain feels he has lost all his honor. He feels as though he failed to be a good knight.
3. The climax of the story, as far as Fit 3 goes, is when Gawain does not tell the King about the girdle. This is the first time in the story that Gawain breaks his word. Throughout all the times when he is with the Lady, he keeps his promise to the King. He gives the King exactly what the Lady gave to him, until he is given the girdle that is supposed to keep him alive.
4. The girdle could represent sin and dishonesty. Also it represents Christianity vs. Paganism. When Gawain accepts the girdle he is told that it is going to save whoever wears it. Gawain takes it to protect him from the Green Knight. Instead of taking his shield, which has the Virgin Mary and the pentangle on it, he takes the girdle. At this point he has fallen away from Christ and Christianity. He has chosen to rely on the girdle, that the woman has given him. The woman was dishonest when she gave Gawain the girdle.
5. Sir Gawain knows that it is wrong to be with another mans wife. Sir Gawain tries to maintain some sort of order when it comes to going to far with the Lady. It is part of the Christian religion to be with one man or one woman (of the opposite sex) for the rest of your life. Sir Gawain knows that the Lady is married and knows of it to be wrong if he were to do anything with her. Sir Gawain makes a point to let the woman know they wouldn't do anything but kiss.
Another is, of course, the girdle. Gawain, is now relying on the girdle to protect him, and no longer waiting for God to help him. He has taken his religion and passed it for something material. Gawain, now trusts in the material gift of the Lady.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Fit 2
1. Progressions:
The games are a symbol of social behavior; the way they conduct themselves during the Christmas festivities. The festival games are used to show joy and being merry. Sir Gawain knows that he is going to die, or at least thinks that he is going to die. Sir Gawain feels that if he is going to die anyway he might as well enjoy himself. The Lord also makes a deal with Gawain. This could be interpreted as a game. The Lord is wanting to share his hunting game with Sir Gawain in exchange for what Sir Gawain receives at the castle. I think the point of the game is to help Sir Gawin become a truthful and trustworthy person. I think the Lord knows of what the Lady is doing and decides to go through with the game anyway. It is kind of funny he would share her like he is. I feel as though he might have had some knowledge that Gawain wouldn’t do anything with her. He exchanges his wife for meat.
3. Symbol and relate it to a theme:
Sir Gawain asked for a holy place to observe the Christmas tradition. He is almost immediately brought to the castle where he is taken in and allowed to spend Christmas. This fits into the theme of the Christian religion. He has faith in his religion and in God. He wants o survive through Christmas and spend it in an appropriate manor, which to him, would be serving and honoring God.
4. How is Gawain different in Fit 2 versus Fit 1:
He is presented stronger in Fit 2. He is very respected and considered one of the Great Knights of the Round Table. In Fit 1 Sir Gawain is describing himself as not much. He is being very humble. “You’re welcome to lodge here as long as you like.” The castle feels so honored to have Sir Gawain resting in its walls.
5. Setting:
The travels of Sir Gawain lead him to the castle. The land that he travels is called the realm of Logres. It leads him through lifeless pathways and dark hills. Often he got lead to opponents. Sometimes he fought dragons, wolves, bears, and many others. It was winter and really cold. It continued to rain cold rain. He hits cliffs and rocky mountains, dark woods and cold streams. His travels are brutal and almost kill him. The setting is used to show hard times for Sir Gawain.
1. Progressions:
• Stanza 1 and 2 – The year passes
• Stanza 3 – Another party and introduction to the knights at the round table
• Stanza 4 and 5 – Sir Gawain’s armor
• Stanza 6 – Sir Gawain’s shield
• Stanza 7 – Sir Gawain’s specific characteristics
• Stanza 8 – 11 – Sir Gawain’s travels
• Stanza 12 and 13 – Sir Gawain gets to the castle
• Stanza 13 – Sir Gawain gets into the castle
• Stanza 14 – Definition of the castle
• Stanza 15 and 16 – Definition of the feast
• Stanza 17 – Everyone disperses from the table and the description of the Lady
• Stanza 18 – Sir Gawain talks with the lord
• Stanza 19 – Christmas Feast and word play
• Stanza 20 – Celebration of St. John’s Day
• Stanza 21 – Sir Gawain talks with the Lord about staying until New Year’s Day
• Stanza 22 and 23 – Sir Gawain decides to stay until New Year’s and he promises to share what he gains just as the Lord has promised to do.
2. Games:• Stanza 3 – Another party and introduction to the knights at the round table
• Stanza 4 and 5 – Sir Gawain’s armor
• Stanza 6 – Sir Gawain’s shield
• Stanza 7 – Sir Gawain’s specific characteristics
• Stanza 8 – 11 – Sir Gawain’s travels
• Stanza 12 and 13 – Sir Gawain gets to the castle
• Stanza 13 – Sir Gawain gets into the castle
• Stanza 14 – Definition of the castle
• Stanza 15 and 16 – Definition of the feast
• Stanza 17 – Everyone disperses from the table and the description of the Lady
• Stanza 18 – Sir Gawain talks with the lord
• Stanza 19 – Christmas Feast and word play
• Stanza 20 – Celebration of St. John’s Day
• Stanza 21 – Sir Gawain talks with the Lord about staying until New Year’s Day
• Stanza 22 and 23 – Sir Gawain decides to stay until New Year’s and he promises to share what he gains just as the Lord has promised to do.
The games are a symbol of social behavior; the way they conduct themselves during the Christmas festivities. The festival games are used to show joy and being merry. Sir Gawain knows that he is going to die, or at least thinks that he is going to die. Sir Gawain feels that if he is going to die anyway he might as well enjoy himself. The Lord also makes a deal with Gawain. This could be interpreted as a game. The Lord is wanting to share his hunting game with Sir Gawain in exchange for what Sir Gawain receives at the castle. I think the point of the game is to help Sir Gawin become a truthful and trustworthy person. I think the Lord knows of what the Lady is doing and decides to go through with the game anyway. It is kind of funny he would share her like he is. I feel as though he might have had some knowledge that Gawain wouldn’t do anything with her. He exchanges his wife for meat.
3. Symbol and relate it to a theme:
Sir Gawain asked for a holy place to observe the Christmas tradition. He is almost immediately brought to the castle where he is taken in and allowed to spend Christmas. This fits into the theme of the Christian religion. He has faith in his religion and in God. He wants o survive through Christmas and spend it in an appropriate manor, which to him, would be serving and honoring God.
4. How is Gawain different in Fit 2 versus Fit 1:
He is presented stronger in Fit 2. He is very respected and considered one of the Great Knights of the Round Table. In Fit 1 Sir Gawain is describing himself as not much. He is being very humble. “You’re welcome to lodge here as long as you like.” The castle feels so honored to have Sir Gawain resting in its walls.
5. Setting:
The travels of Sir Gawain lead him to the castle. The land that he travels is called the realm of Logres. It leads him through lifeless pathways and dark hills. Often he got lead to opponents. Sometimes he fought dragons, wolves, bears, and many others. It was winter and really cold. It continued to rain cold rain. He hits cliffs and rocky mountains, dark woods and cold streams. His travels are brutal and almost kill him. The setting is used to show hard times for Sir Gawain.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Finnesburh Fragment, Widsith, and The Saga of Grettir the Strong
The Finnesburh Fragment:
Alike Beowulf, Hnaefs men are attacked in the hall by Finn's retainers, real early in the morning. Beowulf's men were also attacked in the hall at night while they were sleeping. There was a feud and Finn ended up marrying Hnaef's sister, who was given to him as a peace pledge. Hrothgar's wife was also given to him as a peace pledge. Hnaef is visiting Finn and Beowulf was also visiting Hrothgar when they were both attacked. Hnaef's men were attacked by Finn's men because of the feud that had been on before. Finn, however, may not have been aware of the attack. The story of Finn and his wife and men is in Beowulf. It is that short poem inside of Beowulf.
Widsith:
Beowulf is almost not a book we read today, for it was almost lost in a fire. Someone found it and translated it and now we have the poem today. The only text of Widsith
is in the Exeter Book. Offa was the youngest of all the warriors who won in such a great battle. He achieved more glory than anyone else his age. Beowulf and Widsith are both great warriors and the both travel. They both like to brag about themselves and be the best.
The Saga of Grettir the Stong:
Evil beings have struck them and no one knew quite what was happening. Grendel also kept appearing, attacking the men in there sleep, however the men knew it was he, who kept coming back for them. Grettir was strong and brave. He went to Sandhaugar on Christmas Eve to take care of the ghost and hauntings that were occurring. He was very full of himself and knew he was strong. So he stayed with them and Steinvor went to Mass. Grettir cut the trollwomen's arm off, just as Beowulf pulled Grendel's arm.
Alike Beowulf, Hnaefs men are attacked in the hall by Finn's retainers, real early in the morning. Beowulf's men were also attacked in the hall at night while they were sleeping. There was a feud and Finn ended up marrying Hnaef's sister, who was given to him as a peace pledge. Hrothgar's wife was also given to him as a peace pledge. Hnaef is visiting Finn and Beowulf was also visiting Hrothgar when they were both attacked. Hnaef's men were attacked by Finn's men because of the feud that had been on before. Finn, however, may not have been aware of the attack. The story of Finn and his wife and men is in Beowulf. It is that short poem inside of Beowulf.
Widsith:
Beowulf is almost not a book we read today, for it was almost lost in a fire. Someone found it and translated it and now we have the poem today. The only text of Widsith
is in the Exeter Book. Offa was the youngest of all the warriors who won in such a great battle. He achieved more glory than anyone else his age. Beowulf and Widsith are both great warriors and the both travel. They both like to brag about themselves and be the best.
The Saga of Grettir the Stong:
Evil beings have struck them and no one knew quite what was happening. Grendel also kept appearing, attacking the men in there sleep, however the men knew it was he, who kept coming back for them. Grettir was strong and brave. He went to Sandhaugar on Christmas Eve to take care of the ghost and hauntings that were occurring. He was very full of himself and knew he was strong. So he stayed with them and Steinvor went to Mass. Grettir cut the trollwomen's arm off, just as Beowulf pulled Grendel's arm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)