...around a malicious and self-centered motive. The shadow-self of a character is often portrayed as the villain, or monster, but it has a much greater importance. The shadow-self illustrates the two extremes of a personality. Since the shadow-self is the complete opposite of a character, the good and bad qualities of that character are shown, the shadow self of a character can have both good and bad aspects. When someone is able to control the good aspects of both characters, the individual is able to grow and learn from themselves. The shadow-self is often used in literature, because it is seen as the perfect challenge for the protagonist. An example in literature would be Beowulf and Grendel. Beowulf is a great hero driven by good morals and intentions, while Grendel is a soulless monster living only to cause pain and death. Another example would be Sigurd and Regin. Sigurd is somewhat naive and...
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...progression and growth that the old English bards developed Beowulf’s ultimate goal of eternal glory. From impressively defeating Grendel and liberating the Danes, to the revenge killing of Grendel’s mom, and even later by saving his nation through self-sacrifice, Beowulf captures the heart of those of the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian world to ultimately go down in history forever. Firstly; however, Beowulf had to start as the equivalent of a nobody to us, (the reader), and the world. All that is known is his quest to slay Grendel on accounts of its attacks on the Danish mead-hall, Heorot. “ ‘I come...
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...ideals reflect themselves in a variety of ways. Things like companions and quest are still important to the people, but their ideals change. The ideals of the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe drastically change as Christianity moves across the region, and their archetypes reflect this change of character in the culture. In Beowulf, Beowulf and his companions express the heritage based Germanic Ideal of Comitatus or "loyalty to king and companions". Before fighting...
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...As Beowulf enters the last battle of his heroic career, he “addresses each companion” and submitting to his destiny he informs his loyal men that he will fight alongside them, “one final time” (Haney.7642). When the Geat hero Beowulf is about to finally meet his match, he considers the great Thanes above himself and realizes there would have been no success without them. Beowulf evidently illustrates why he is the ideal German because even after all the things he has achieved in his lifetime, he looks back and humbly says the Thanes are greater than him. His reward for all his loyalty to the Camitatus is the acknowledgement from them that his heroic work will never be forgotten. Another example occurs before Beowulf’s battle against Grendel the great dragon as he recognizes that it was different to see the “other rigged out in his gear” and “ready for battle” (1470). As Beowulf is about to fight an underwater battle, he valorously reassures his Camitatus that no matter what happens in this battle, it will be alright. Being the leader of the Geats, Beowulf personally feels responsible for assuring the people and his comrades are safe and by stating it will be alright gives his people hope, just as the whole story of Beowulf tried to provide hope for the ordinary German tribes of the Middle Ages. Twice proving his loyalty to the Camitatus, Beowulf is considered the ideal man and a hero. On the other hand, in the Arthurian Legend just after watching...
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...Beowulf portrays many characteristics that are shown throughout his actions in the story. There are many different archetypes that can be used to represent Beowulf, but hero is by far the most prevalent archetype he shows. He endures many daring quests which back up the hero archetype, such as when he left his own land to protect the Danes and kill Grendel or when he slayed Grendel’s mother. Grendel was an evil monster who was hated by all of the people under king Hrothgar. Slowly Grendel started killing the common people of the Danes because of the rage he felt toward them for refusing to accept him into their community. They feared Grendel because he was a fiend out of hell (line 99-101). Eventually, Grendel started to construct his own types of raids on the mead...
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...Beowulf is an epic poem passed down and told orally for many centuries. This epic poem took place during the Anglo Saxon time period. This story tells of a heroic man by the name Beowulf who took on extraordinary quests to protect the kingdom of Hrothgar. This epic poem was partially based on Christianity, which is believed, due to its time period it took to have taken place. Therefore, the poem had several comparisons of the incredible leader of the geats, Beowulf, to the savor of the Jews, Christ. Beowulf displayed traits of leadership to the Geats, like an epic hero would to show them and safety. For example, “Then he said farewell to his followers” ( ln 611 pg). Therefore, interpreting Beowulf , he was seen as a king to the people who seeked...
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...Grendel is strong enough to be able to crush thirty men at once, and hence, can only be defeated by someone who possesses superhuman strength. Beowulf also swims the freezing sea for seven nights, wearing his chainmail coat, and carrying his sword in hand, which serves as an example of his strength. He is almost defeated while fighting Grendel’s mother, but is provided with help by God- “and Holy God, who sent him victory, gave judgement for truth and right”. Likewise, Percy Jackson is viewed as a leader by his fellow demigods at Camp Half-Blood, and he fights powerful monsters such as Medusa and Kronos to save Mount Olympus and his people. He is the son of Poseidon, the Greek God of the sea, and he therefore possesses God-like strength and is often assisted by his father during his quests. Percy Jackson and Beowulf are assisted and favored by supernatural beings in their respective journeys which is an element of heroism. The two stories have a parallel plotline- The stolen treasure of the dragon in Beowulf and the...
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...Over the duration of the story, it is made known that Beowulf lives with a fatalistic mindset that everyone is going to eventually die. Having these beliefs helps Beowulf to approach his life and death situations with less fear; however, this also leads to Him making decisions that normal people would not make. Beowulf’s over willingness to do whatever it takes to defend his people, leads him in a tough predicament when the fight with the dragon comes about. Having so much courage and loyalty for his tribe, Beowulf decides to fight the dragon. Having arrived and realizing how outmatched they were, the nine men who came along had quickly vanished and it was all up to Beowulf and Wiglaf. The true heroism of Beowulf comes out in this moment, although he realizes he may die, he knows he is fighting for the whole tribe and is willing to sacrifice himself for the better of others (Beowulf 2510-2910). This is the sign of a true epic hero, one who is willing to stand up for his people and protect those who are...
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...different cultures and historical time periods. The study of the development of the English language has been used to represent the specific ideals and notions that pertain to particular cultures throughout history. Anglo-Saxon poetry express its cultural identity and values that underpin Anglo Saxon society, through ancient texts such as Beowulf exploring notions of heroism and servitude. Middle English literature such as The Millers Tale, unmasks the inner feudal system that deciphers the hierarchal structure within Middle England. The Holkam bible through both visual representation and literature highlights the Biblical understanding at the time and cultural barriers that were associated. The Miller’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer is an example of Middle English poetry that represents the societal structure of the time through language. The Miller’s Tale expresses the hierarchal structure in Middle England through denoting each individual characters social standing within society. The Miller’s Tale entails the story of a carpenter who falls in love with a juvenile/adolescent girl (“Of eighteteene yeer she was of age”); a love triangle develops between three men and a woman, further digressing into a story of humor and irony aimed to satisfy the upper class. Geoffrey Chaucer depicts the carpenter as man who acts above...
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...the lord’s wife, among other events in both poems. To begin with, in “Beowulf” these values are defined through the heroic code, which was held in the Anglo-Saxon culture in which this poem takes place. Beowulf himself is the definition of a “hero”, exemplifying values such as courage and strength. For example, one challenge that Beowulf held was the battle with Grendel. He shows exceptional strength when he is able to rip of Grendel’s arm which we see in the text itself, "The monster's whole body was in pain; a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lapping’s burst. Beowulf was granted the glory of winning". The ability to cause so much physical pain to a giant monster shows just how powerful and strong Beowulf is. Strength here is sort of defined as physical power and ability rather than spiritual strength and what not. Courage, for example in Beowulf is also defined in this segment of the poem. Beowulf, shows his fearlessness when he wanders into the cave which is completely dark, and when he fights as he’s pretty much laying on the floor dying. Courage here is interpreted as fearlessness, as daring, as lionhearted, and is one of Beowulf’s (character) most defining characteristics and...
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...English Study Guide E period Beowulf * The Wrath of Grendel Grendel, a murderous, powerful monster lurks outside Hrothgar’s a Danish King’s, extravagant party. God drove out the demons, but they split into many forms of evil spirits, fiends, goblins, monsters, and giants. Grendel is a demonic monster. At night, when the party ended, Grendel ate 30 guests and left blood everywhere. In the morning, the people of Herot and Hrothgar mourned the deaths of Grendel’s victims. However, Grendel came again and ate all of Hrothgar’s soldiers, leaving Herot bare. Hrothgar was incredibly saddened by this. However, God protected him and no help came from the pagan sacrifices. The only protection came from God. * The Coming of Beowulf In the land of the Geats, ruled by Higlac, Beowulf was the greatest and strongest of all the men. He decided to go to see Hrothgar, because he has heard of the horrors Grendel brought. The Geats egged on his adventure, so Beowulf took a crew of the mightiest men he could find and set forth on his journey. They arrived at the Danish shore and were questioned by the guard, who thought they might be raiders or pirates. Beowulf explained they were Geats; his father was Edgetho, a famous soldier and explained why they were there. The guard lets them pass. They enter Herot and are called to see the King. Beowulf is greeted by Hrothgar and explains why he is there. He says he will fight and kill Grendel without fear, and if he looses to...
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...ENGLISH LITERATURE ITS HISTORY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE LIFE OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD A TEXT-BOOK FOR SCHOOLS BY WILLIAM J. LONG, PH.D. (Heidelberg) TO MY FRIEND C H T IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS CONTINUED HELP IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS BOOK CANTERBURY PILGRIMS From Royal MS., 18 D.ii, in the British Museum PREFACE This book, which presents the whole splendid history of English literature from Anglo-Saxon times to the close of the Victorian Era, has three specific aims. The first is to create or to encourage in every student the desire to read the best books, and to know literature itself rather than what has been written about literature. The second is to interpret literature both personally and historically, that is, to show how a great book generally reflects not only the author's life and thought but also the spirit of the age and the ideals of the nation's history. The third aim is to show, by a study of each successive period, how our literature has steadily developed from its first simple songs and stories to its present complexity in prose and poetry. To carry out these aims we have introduced the following features: (1) A brief, accurate summary of historical events and social conditions in each period, and a consideration of the ideals which stirred the whole nation, as in the days of Elizabeth, before they found expression in literature. (2) A study of the various literary epochs in turn, showing what each gained from...
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...Министерство образования и науки Республики Казахстан Кокшетауский государственный университет им. Ш. Уалиханова An Outline of British Literature (from tradition to post modernism) Кокшетау 2011 УДК 802.0 – 5:20 ББК 81:432.1-923 № 39 Рекомендовано к печати кафедрой английского языка и МП КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова, Ученым Советом филологического факультета КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова, УМС КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова. Рецензенты: Баяндина С.Ж. доктор филологических наук, профессор, декан филологического факультета КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова Батаева Ф.А. кандидат филологических наук, доцент кафедры «Переводческое дело» Кокшетауского университета им. А. Мырзахметова Кожанова К.Т. преподаватель английского языка кафедры гуманитарного цикла ИПК и ПРО Акмолинской области An Outline of British Literature from tradition to post modernism (on specialties 050119 – “Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages”, 050205 – “Foreign Philology” and 050207 – “Translation”): Учебное пособие / Сост. Немченко Н.Ф. – Кокшетау: Типография КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова, 2010 – 170 с. ISBN 9965-19-350-9 Пособие представляет собой краткие очерки, характеризующие английскую литературу Великобритании, ее основные направления и тенденции. Все известные направления в литературе иллюстрированы примерами жизни и творчества авторов, вошедших в мировую литературу благодаря...
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