Beowulf: Dialectical Journal 4

(90-93) “And a clear song of a skilled poet telling with mastery of man’s beginnings how the Almighty had made the earth a gleaming plain girdled with waters.”

This is describing the songs coming from the halls of Heorot. They are about God’s creation of the earth and of man and people living happily under the power, protection and guidance of God. Since Grendel was exiled just far enough from the halls where he couldn’t take any part in the gatherings going on there, but close enough that he is forced to listen to the songs, they slowly torture him and exploit his yearning to be accepted through God’s eyes just like everyone else. After a certain point of torture his desire to be accepted changes to just wanting to get back at God, which is why, I believe, he goes on a killing spree.

Beowulf: Dialectical Journal 3

(4-11) “There was Shield Sheafson…his worth was proved…that was one good king.”

Ironically enough about this statement, Sheafson didn’t hold multiple of the qualities that make up a good king. He punished those who needed to be punished and people looked up to him because he got things accomplished. He was able to destroy a lot of people and places which showed he had power, which in turn, made people believe he was a good leader and proved his worthiness for the thrown. In addition to his actually qualities and actions that made him a good candidate for king, his name holds meaning as well. Shield, means a person or thing providing protection. Which is exactly what a kings are supposed to do.

Shield Sheafson was a symbolic character throughout his short presence in the book. He began life as an infant abandoned by his parents but quickly rose to be strong and powerful. When he died, he was honored with an elaborate funeral ceremony. His body was put into a boat, covered with treasures and armor (protection), and cast off to sea. Shield’s life ended as it began, with him cast drifting aimlessly on the water.

Beowulf: Dialectical Journal 2

(102-107) “Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding round the heath and the desolate fens; he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cains clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts”

The character Grendel and his actions correlate with the story of Cain and Able. In short, Cain thought God liked Able’s offerings more and became jealous, so he killed him. Cain was then exiled from God’s mind. Grendel however, was born an exile due to his ancestry to Cain. Where the two stories intertwine is in the desire to be included and loved just as everyone else. Grendel didn’t speak English and was exiled to a swap far from the halls of Hereot, yet not far enough that he couldn’t hear the noise and joy coming from them. This makes him envious, just as Cain had been, so he snatches 30 men and kills them in his lair. And Grendel continues murdering all people who are seen better through God’s eyes (ones who aren’t exiled), just as Cain had done to the one he thought God approved more of; Able. Although his recent acts of violence are extreme and worthy of banishment, has Grendel always been an evil monster or just a threatened outsider looking for a chance to be accepted through God’s eyes?

Beowulf: Dialectical Journal 1

(Line 24-25) “Behavior that’s admired is the path to power among people everywhere.”

This is saying that behaving in a way that pleases people and looks good through other people’s eyes will lead you to a place of high power. So if you are an honorable person who doesn’t get involved in things such as killing your own kin or committing some other un forgivable act, then you will be seen as a worthy leader to your people. This trait and fact of life is still true today, all of our great leaders and “rulers” have been looked up too and admired and selected by the people because of their honorable lifestyles. This is important in the poem because Beowulf kills Grendal and Grendal’s mother, the “monsters”, which greatly pleases all of his people therefore they crown him king.

Branwen Daughter of Llyr; Cauldron connection

Cauldron, a large metal pot used for cooking over an open fire? Or possibly, a gateway to hell. In this short story a cauldron was brought about from the Lake of the Cauldron, or “the underworld,” by a Satan figure and a pregnant woman. Cauldrons symbolized powers of resuscitation, so by bringing it to earth he gave soldiers the power to come back to life. However, they couldn't speak, which in return caused them to be a nuisance, rather then doing any good. Which, to me, indicates that once entering the cauldron, Satan now controlled a part of you, which is how he spread his evil. This rapidly started to ruin the rapport between the community, causing people to turn on each other. The second bomb this Satan figure dropped on the Irish was having him and this pregnant woman, who had a offspring who had been promised to be coated in amour at birth, stay with the people. They slowly started poisoning people against one another until the Irish rose up and tried to burn them to death. The family managed to survive the rapid heat however, which also reinforces the idea that the giant man his family have been sent from hell. They then manage to escape and flee with the cauldron to the Island of the Mighty. The fact that they managed to escape with their lives and remain undefeated correlates with the idea of how Satan is a fallen angle who can’t be defeated. And due to this I have confidence in the fact that Satan brought about these plagues to poison the people on earth and turn them against each other, in hopes of creating war.

HAI

OH MAI GAWD JAYCE!!!! IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU! HOW YA DOIN'?!?!?!?!?! :)Ha

Death of Conchobhar

When Jesus was crucified by pilot, he died for everyone’s sins and he didn’t intend on anyone wanting to avenge him on the Jews and those who crucified him. And I believe when Conchobhar became enraged with fury towards them, it was Jesus who caused Meis-Geghra’s brain to spring out of his head, stopping him from causing harm for others and causing unnecessary death. After his brain popped out of his head, all of his blood started pouring out which began purifying his body, making it possible from him to join Christ in heaven. I believe Christ did this because although Chonchobhar’s thoughts were violent, his intentions to fight for his noble leader Jesus Christ pleased him, so he rewarded him by taking him to heaven.