Lynn Hodnett
Ms. Peifer
10IB Hr. 5
December 9, 2008
"Yet the prince of the rings was too proud/ to line up with a large army/ against the sky-plague." (Heaney 2345). These lines show the characteristic that men are expected to prove that they are the strongest and don't need any assistance from anyone else. Another value shown in Beowulf is that the king was expected to protect his people from any dangers, even if it means that he has to sacrifice himself to do so. Obviously, the Dane culture impresses that the leader does what is best for his people rather than for himself. Also, the value of loyalty is shown when the young man Wiglaf sees Beowulf in danger and comes to his rescue. "When he saw his lord/ tormented by the heat of the scalding helmet,/ he remembered the bountiful gifts bestowed on him,/... He could not hold back" (2604). Well, there is another interpretation of the value shown in these lines. Other than loyalty, Wiglaf was also keeping his promise. He remembered that Beowulf gave him great gifts and so, in turn, he must give something back to Beowulf.
The last section of Beowulf is phrased quite differently than from the previous sections. It diminishes the height of Beowulf's hero pedestal. Instead of being constantly characterized as this great, invincible, perfect hero, Beowulf is shown as more of a normal man (even if he's a king) with no super powers. One example is that Beowulf is more human than half-god is that he fears God, like any other Christian: "the wise man thought he must have thwarted/ ancient ordinance of the eternal Lord,/ broken his commandment." (2329). This quote gives the very human flaw of having fear. In the other sections, Beowulf doesn't show any emotion at all, including when his men are being eaten by Grendel or when he has to face Grendel and Grendel's mother. "to have to give ground like that and go/ unwillingly to inhabit another home/ in a place beyond; so every man must yield/ the leasehold of his days." (2587). The talk of Beowulf dying also has the same effect in humanizing him, making him seem less like the hero and more of a has-been celebrity.
Beowulf's death would be considered honorable in his time because the Dane men prized themselves on being terrific warriors. The best way to die is to die fighting for one's people and one's king, and this is how they could attain 'invincibility'. To be remembered for one's strength, bravery, and triumph in battle through stories and songs was the only way to become everlasting in everybody's memories. Beowulf obviously achieved this because people still read this story and remember his tale of bravery and victory over the evil Grendel and Grendel's mother.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Beowulf LRJ #2
Lynn Hodnett
Ms. Peifer
10IB Hr. 5
December 4, 2008
One of the values featured in Beowulf is pride in ones' own achievments, as shown in this quote: "the hero displayed/ high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel's/ shoulder and arm" (Heaney 833). It's a sick kind of trophy that shows off how much stronger and more powerful Beowulf is compared to Grendel. The Danes obviously impressed the characteristic of strength in their men: "Endure your troubles to-day. Bear up/ and be the man I expect you to be." (1395). Beowulf's very existence exaggerates this quality. However, strength isn't really encouraged in women because of Grendel's mother: "But now his mother/ had sallied forth on a savage journey,/ grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge." (1276). This part of the story also casts revenge in a bad light, implying that if one goes out to seek revenge, the plan will backfire. Since Beowulf is a hero and has quite a few super-human qualities, there is bound to be at least a couple unrealistic actions taking place. One of these actions is when Beowulf rips off Grendel's arm: "Clear proof of this/ could be seen in the hand the hero displayed/ high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel's/ shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp." (832) Nobody is ever going to rip someone else's arm and shoulder off with thier bare hands. Even if they did, they would most likely be sent to jail and instantly put into therapy for anger management problems. Another extodinary task Beowulf performed was when he went down to Grendel's lair: "he dived into the heaving/ depths of the lake. It was the best part of a day/ before he could see the solid bottom." (1494). It is generally known that humans cannot breathe underwater without help from diving equipment and so can't be underwater for 'the best part of a day' without drowning. Beowulf contains several wonderfully decriptive lines. However, most of them refer to battle, fighting or some kind of weapon. One of the best ones is this: "But he soon found/ his battle-torch extinguished: the shining blade/ refused to bite." (1522). Not entirely sure what a battle-torch is, but the personification of Beowulf's sword really gives a good image of how the weapon was useless against Grendel's mother. Another quote that was chosen as a favorite also describes a sword: "sharp-honed, wave-sheened wonder blade" (1490). These descriptive words just make the sword almost as magical and super as Beowulf himself. "Meanwhile; the sword/ began to wilt into glory icicles/ to slather and thaw." (1605). This last line has terrific diction because it uses 'slather'. That word just makes one hear the blood seeping down the steel blade of the sword and see it stained deep red with Grendel's mothers' blood. It's sickening, but great imagery.
Ms. Peifer
10IB Hr. 5
December 4, 2008
One of the values featured in Beowulf is pride in ones' own achievments, as shown in this quote: "the hero displayed/ high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel's/ shoulder and arm" (Heaney 833). It's a sick kind of trophy that shows off how much stronger and more powerful Beowulf is compared to Grendel. The Danes obviously impressed the characteristic of strength in their men: "Endure your troubles to-day. Bear up/ and be the man I expect you to be." (1395). Beowulf's very existence exaggerates this quality. However, strength isn't really encouraged in women because of Grendel's mother: "But now his mother/ had sallied forth on a savage journey,/ grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge." (1276). This part of the story also casts revenge in a bad light, implying that if one goes out to seek revenge, the plan will backfire. Since Beowulf is a hero and has quite a few super-human qualities, there is bound to be at least a couple unrealistic actions taking place. One of these actions is when Beowulf rips off Grendel's arm: "Clear proof of this/ could be seen in the hand the hero displayed/ high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel's/ shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp." (832) Nobody is ever going to rip someone else's arm and shoulder off with thier bare hands. Even if they did, they would most likely be sent to jail and instantly put into therapy for anger management problems. Another extodinary task Beowulf performed was when he went down to Grendel's lair: "he dived into the heaving/ depths of the lake. It was the best part of a day/ before he could see the solid bottom." (1494). It is generally known that humans cannot breathe underwater without help from diving equipment and so can't be underwater for 'the best part of a day' without drowning. Beowulf contains several wonderfully decriptive lines. However, most of them refer to battle, fighting or some kind of weapon. One of the best ones is this: "But he soon found/ his battle-torch extinguished: the shining blade/ refused to bite." (1522). Not entirely sure what a battle-torch is, but the personification of Beowulf's sword really gives a good image of how the weapon was useless against Grendel's mother. Another quote that was chosen as a favorite also describes a sword: "sharp-honed, wave-sheened wonder blade" (1490). These descriptive words just make the sword almost as magical and super as Beowulf himself. "Meanwhile; the sword/ began to wilt into glory icicles/ to slather and thaw." (1605). This last line has terrific diction because it uses 'slather'. That word just makes one hear the blood seeping down the steel blade of the sword and see it stained deep red with Grendel's mothers' blood. It's sickening, but great imagery.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Antigone Paper
Lynn Hodnett
Ms. Peifer
10IB Period 5
November 26, 2008
Ms. Peifer
10IB Period 5
November 26, 2008
Ismene: Guilty As Charged
It is known to every person in the land that the man Polyneices was cast out of Thebes after losing the crown to his brother Eteocles. Instead of leaving permanently, Polyneices returned with an army to defeat Thebes and his brother. Both perished on the other's sword and left behind two grieving sisters and their uncle who became king in Eteocles' place: Creon. The new king announced that Eteocles be buried with distinction and honor, but Polyneices would not because of his actions against Thebes. Antigone, sister to Polyneices, evidently did not agree with this proclamation and completely ignored the law. She proceeded to give her disgraced sibling a burial. Previous to her crime, Antigone informed her sister that she planned on going through with this plot. Ismene did not tell a single soul of what Antigone told her and following the discovery of Antigone's crime, Ismene confessed to being an accomplice. These two pieces of evidence are plenty to prove that Ismene should be prosecuted along with her treacherous sister Antigone.
The very first thought that crossed Ismene's mind when she heard Antigone's plan should have been this: notify King Creon at once. However, Ismene did no such thing. Instead of doing her civic duty and informing Creon, she said this to Antigone: "But no one must hear of this, you must tell no one! I will keep it a secret, I promise!" (Fitts 817). This quote shows that Ismene willfully kept silent on this matter even when Antigone herself told her to speak of her plans to someone. A person who is aware that a crime will be done in the future, stands idly by, and allows it to pass is guilty as well as the doer of the crime. Ismene did this, thus making her an accomplice to Antigone's crime.
A confession to an offense is, of course, sends a very clear message: "I am guilty and I know it." This is what Ismene said directly: "Yes, if she will let me say so. I am guilty." (825). She continued to say, "We are equally guilty." (825). Since Ismene already knows that there were eye-witnesses to prove that Antigone did break the law, she cannot possibly be trying to save Antigone from her fate. Ismene knows that if she confesses her participation in these traitorous actions, she will be severely punished. So why would she confess to a crime that she did not take part in? The answer to that question is this: Ismene would not. She is not a brave soul: "We were born women, as who should not strive with men; next, that we are ruled of the stronger, so that we must obey in these things." (Jebb par. 5). It takes a brave person to confess to a crime that they had nothing to do with and Ismene is not one of those people.
Ismene, sister of betrayer Polyneices and sneaky Antigone, is an accomplice to Antigone's crime of breaking King Creon's law. As such, she needs to be punished for her deeds. Ismene is clearly deserving of suitable discipline because she did not inform King Creon of Antigone's planned actions and she confessed to being a part of Antigone's law breaking. This, certainly, is enough evidence to prove that Ismene is guilty as charged.
Bibliography
Sophocles. "Antigone." The Internet Classics Archive. Trans. R.C. Jebb. 04 Oct 2000 . Classics.mit.edu. 23 Nov 2008 http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/antigone.html
Sophocles. "Antigone." Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001. 814-826.
Antigone LRJ #2
Burial practice imagery is repeated throughout the play. When Antigone talks about her brothers to Ismene she says, "Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he hath laid in the earth, for his honour among the dead below. But the hapless corpse of Polyneices-as rumour saith, it hath been published to the town that none shall entomb him or mourn, but leave unwept, unsepulchred, a welcome store for the birds, as they espy him, to feast on at will" (Sophocles par. 5). In fact, it is such an important tradition that Antigone risks her own life to see that her brother has the proper burial rites. This is, of course, the foundation, the spark that the play is based upon. If Antigone had not gone and buried Polyneices, she would never had disobeyed Creon and thus would not have been sentenced to death. The imagery of burial rites goes hand in hand with another reiterated image: Antigone's love and loyalty to her family. She says to Ismene, "I will do my part,-and thine, if thou wilt not,-to a brother. False to him will I never be found." (par. 11). She says this as well: "I, then, will go to heap the earth above the brother whom I love." (par. 17).
Creon's fatal flaw is his arrogance. Specifically, he doesn't take any one's advice and always thinks he is in the right each and every time he speaks. This is shown when Creon and Haemon are arguing: "Men of my age are we indeed to be schooled, then, by men of his?" (par. 151). Creon also says, "Am I to rule this land by other judgment than mine own?" (par. 159). It is Creon's arrogance that causes his family to kill themselves one by one. His willful blindness to Haemon's love for Antigone resulted in Haemon committing suicide and Haemon's death led up to Creon's wife killing herself. Teiresias warned Creon of this, but, once again, Creon took his place on his high horse and would not dismount.
After Creon discovers that his beloved son is dead, he says, "Woe is me, for the wretched blindness of my counsels!" (par. 260) and "thy spirit hath fled,-not by thy folly, but by mine own!" (par. 260). This is the anagnorisis of "Antigone". The peripeteia comes soon after, when Creon discovers the horrible truth of Eurydice ending her own life because of her grief. Creon realizes that he essentially caused the deaths of his wife and son. The catharsis arrives after Creon delivers these lines: "Lead me away, I pray you; a rash, foolish man; who have slain thee, ah my son, unwittingly, and thee, too, my wife-unhappy that I am! I know not which way I should bend my gaze, or where I should seek support; for all is amiss with that which is in my hands,-and yonder, again, a crushing fate hath leapt upon my head." (par. 179).
The manner in which women are characterized in the play "Antigone" is a combination of weakness and strength. Ismene is pictured as timid and ruled by her fears and emotions, as was commonly thought of women in those days: "Nay, we must remember, first, that we were born women, as who should not strive with men; next, that we are ruled of the stronger, so that we must obey in these things" (par. 14). On the other hand, Antigone is the very essence of loyalty, and love. She is ruled by her moral compass as shown here: "I will bury him: well for me to die in doing that" (par. 15). A piece of Creon's dialogue also reveals what was thought of women back then when he says, "Better to fall from power, if we must, by a man's hand; then we should not be called weaker than a woman" (par. 147). This one statement packs a huge punch and sums up the general characterization of women.
Creon's fatal flaw is his arrogance. Specifically, he doesn't take any one's advice and always thinks he is in the right each and every time he speaks. This is shown when Creon and Haemon are arguing: "Men of my age are we indeed to be schooled, then, by men of his?" (par. 151). Creon also says, "Am I to rule this land by other judgment than mine own?" (par. 159). It is Creon's arrogance that causes his family to kill themselves one by one. His willful blindness to Haemon's love for Antigone resulted in Haemon committing suicide and Haemon's death led up to Creon's wife killing herself. Teiresias warned Creon of this, but, once again, Creon took his place on his high horse and would not dismount.
After Creon discovers that his beloved son is dead, he says, "Woe is me, for the wretched blindness of my counsels!" (par. 260) and "thy spirit hath fled,-not by thy folly, but by mine own!" (par. 260). This is the anagnorisis of "Antigone". The peripeteia comes soon after, when Creon discovers the horrible truth of Eurydice ending her own life because of her grief. Creon realizes that he essentially caused the deaths of his wife and son. The catharsis arrives after Creon delivers these lines: "Lead me away, I pray you; a rash, foolish man; who have slain thee, ah my son, unwittingly, and thee, too, my wife-unhappy that I am! I know not which way I should bend my gaze, or where I should seek support; for all is amiss with that which is in my hands,-and yonder, again, a crushing fate hath leapt upon my head." (par. 179).
The manner in which women are characterized in the play "Antigone" is a combination of weakness and strength. Ismene is pictured as timid and ruled by her fears and emotions, as was commonly thought of women in those days: "Nay, we must remember, first, that we were born women, as who should not strive with men; next, that we are ruled of the stronger, so that we must obey in these things" (par. 14). On the other hand, Antigone is the very essence of loyalty, and love. She is ruled by her moral compass as shown here: "I will bury him: well for me to die in doing that" (par. 15). A piece of Creon's dialogue also reveals what was thought of women back then when he says, "Better to fall from power, if we must, by a man's hand; then we should not be called weaker than a woman" (par. 147). This one statement packs a huge punch and sums up the general characterization of women.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
My Two Lazy, Wonderful, Fat, Hilarious, Somewhat Dumb Witted Cats
I would just like to brag about my cats. They are orange tabbies named Tyler and Stripe (I know, I know, Stripe is about the most unoriginal name anyone could have come up with. But hey, I was 8.). Ever since I can remember, (February 23rd, 1994) I have wanted a pet.
"What kind of pet?" you may ask. "Not just any pet" I would answer. "A cat! Two of them, actually."
And this is what happened on the 23rd of July in the year of our Lord 2001. Wait, that might not be the exact date, but who really cares? Anyway, back to our heroes who were in the midst of the greatest peril imaginable! Oh, sorry to get your hopes up, but that's a very different story than from the boring blog you're reading. You have my deepest apologies, sir or madam, for it is most impolite of me to do such a thing to a dear creature such as yourself.
And so my dream became real. Now my furry children are 7 years of age and are all of the adjectives that are in the title of this blog. In spite of this, I love them tenderly with all my heart. All right, I admit, that was a little cheesy at the end, however true.
I also own a ball python named Amduat. He's a cutie.
"What kind of pet?" you may ask. "Not just any pet" I would answer. "A cat! Two of them, actually."
And this is what happened on the 23rd of July in the year of our Lord 2001. Wait, that might not be the exact date, but who really cares? Anyway, back to our heroes who were in the midst of the greatest peril imaginable! Oh, sorry to get your hopes up, but that's a very different story than from the boring blog you're reading. You have my deepest apologies, sir or madam, for it is most impolite of me to do such a thing to a dear creature such as yourself.
And so my dream became real. Now my furry children are 7 years of age and are all of the adjectives that are in the title of this blog. In spite of this, I love them tenderly with all my heart. All right, I admit, that was a little cheesy at the end, however true.
I also own a ball python named Amduat. He's a cutie.
Antigone: Dutiful Princess or Horrendous Traitor?
It was yesterday that a most astounding action occurred: Polyneices, nephew of King Creon and known traitor, was discovered buried. A palace sentry reported the news hours after the body was found. King Creon had just the previous day declared that no one should give the estranged prince a proper burial due to his great betrayal of Thebes. Polyneices had been exiled to Argos after losing the battle for the crown with his brother Ecolycles, but came back with a vengeance, not to mention an army of five thousand strong. A one on one battle between the two princes resulted on both perishing on the other's sword.
To catch the perpetrator of this crime, the palace sentries set a trap. Lo and behold, this scheme worked like a charm. However, the person caught was someone nobody thought would do such a thing as disobey the king: Antigone, princess of Thebes!
Following her capture at her brother's grave site, Antigone was thrown before the king and accused of her crime. She had no apparent wish to save her own life, but acknowledged the charges and confessed her actions to the entire room. She stated that she thought it was her duty to give her brother post-mortem rights. The king scoffed at her words and bade the guards to bring in Antigone's sister Inmene. She, too, acknowledge the burial of Polyneices and owned that she had been in on the plot to bury him.
Both are awaiting a punishment of death... perhaps worse.
To catch the perpetrator of this crime, the palace sentries set a trap. Lo and behold, this scheme worked like a charm. However, the person caught was someone nobody thought would do such a thing as disobey the king: Antigone, princess of Thebes!
Following her capture at her brother's grave site, Antigone was thrown before the king and accused of her crime. She had no apparent wish to save her own life, but acknowledged the charges and confessed her actions to the entire room. She stated that she thought it was her duty to give her brother post-mortem rights. The king scoffed at her words and bade the guards to bring in Antigone's sister Inmene. She, too, acknowledge the burial of Polyneices and owned that she had been in on the plot to bury him.
Both are awaiting a punishment of death... perhaps worse.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Technology Experiences... Revised!!!
After Ms. Peifer had us look at other people's blogs today, it made me realize just how boring my blog was. Here is what I should have written.
I am not a person who spends a large percentage of my life in front of the glowing screen of a computer. I don't even have a facebook... yet. My iPod (I call him Boris) is the most advanced piece of technology I own. But now he is old and decrepid in the swiftly passing iPod years. If you feel old, imagine how he feels. I hope to give him a quiet, peaceful funeral soon after I get a new iPod (it's going to be orange! ORANGE!!!!!). I'm excited. To be fair, Boris has had a long and prosperous life that an iPod should have. *sigh* I'll miss that iPod. Actually, not really. Have I mentioned that my new iPod is going to be orange?! Orange!
I am not a person who spends a large percentage of my life in front of the glowing screen of a computer. I don't even have a facebook... yet. My iPod (I call him Boris) is the most advanced piece of technology I own. But now he is old and decrepid in the swiftly passing iPod years. If you feel old, imagine how he feels. I hope to give him a quiet, peaceful funeral soon after I get a new iPod (it's going to be orange! ORANGE!!!!!). I'm excited. To be fair, Boris has had a long and prosperous life that an iPod should have. *sigh* I'll miss that iPod. Actually, not really. Have I mentioned that my new iPod is going to be orange?! Orange!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Technology Experiences
I am definately not a technology savvy person at all. All I really know how to do is to buy music off iTunes, use the internet and use word processing. I go on the computer maybe once or twice a week, not everyday. A lot of times, I feel like I'm really missing something when I don't have a facebook or whatever. I don't try to use more technology so I end up not knowing very much about it.
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