Beowulf- he is the hero of the story. a Geat who comes to Denmark to rid the people of a fericious beast. He also fights Grendals mother, and later on in his life, a dragon. he is the strongest ablest warrior around.
Hrothgar- He is the king of the danes, a great king who leads his people to prosperity. He is a wise and aged ruler.
Grendel- Grendel is a deamon, an ancestor of Cain he is the beast terrorizing Herot.
Grendels mother- she is an unnamed hag who posesses even ess human qualities than grendel himself.
Dragon- the dragon is a beast who gaurdes the treasure and is eventually killed by Beowulf.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Plot Overview
A monster, Grendal is terrorizing the Daneish inhabbitance of Herot. Whenever they sing and celebrate it causes the monster to kinda freak out and kill anyone he comes in contact with. Anyway, pretty soon king Hrothgar gets sick of all his men and women dying. Soon Belwulf comes along, proclaiming that he will save the day. Some doubt him but he is strong and brave so they give him a chance. He stays all night in the mead hall and when Grendal comes, he kills him, using no weapons or armour, only his natural strength. It seems like everything is better, right? Monster dead, no more proble. Wrong. Now Beowulf has Grendals mother to deal with Grendals mother. He kills her in her under water lair with a sword meant fr a giant. He also finds the head of Grendel which he cuts off and brings back to Hrothgar. There is great Celebration. Bewulf then returns back to Geatland where he rules as king until he s disturbed by a dragon, the gaurdian of treasure. Luckily, Beowulf is able to kill him as well, but not before revieving a wound to his neck. The wound is poisionous, and soon after killing the beast, beowulf begins to die. He has done a great deal for his kingdom though and dies honorably.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Beowulf- Key facts
Protaginist- Beowulf
Major Conflict- Grendals attack on the mead hall, Vengence of Grendals mother following his death. Rage of the dragon due to the loss of treasure.
Climax- Beowulfs encounter with Grendals mother.
Themes- importance of establishing identity, tensions between heroic code and other value systems, difference between a good warrior and a good king.
Motifs- Monsters, Mead hall, rings
Major Conflict- Grendals attack on the mead hall, Vengence of Grendals mother following his death. Rage of the dragon due to the loss of treasure.
Climax- Beowulfs encounter with Grendals mother.
Themes- importance of establishing identity, tensions between heroic code and other value systems, difference between a good warrior and a good king.
Motifs- Monsters, Mead hall, rings
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Archtypes
Hero-Gilgamesh is the obvious hero of this story. He is a strong and powerful leader who is not afraid of facing death for something that he believes in. When he and Enkidu go to kill Humbaba he stays strong and keeps his wits, even though he is facing a power much greater than himself. He is also very persistant. He refuses to give up his quest for immortality even when he is all alone and the journey is long and difficult. In addition to all of these qualities he is also very loyal. He is extremely loyal to Enkidu and goes to great lengths to try and bring him back from the dead. Even though it is not the best idea to temper with immortality, the thought behind his actions was good.
Antihero- I think that the antihero is also Gilgamesh. Although he does have many of the qualities of a hero, he also has many of the antihero. Once when he and Enkidu are on their way to kill Humbaba he loses his courage and is frightened. Luckily for him he had Enkidu there to keep things together and keep him from panicking until he has recovered. He also has a great pride. He has his people do great labor and work for o apparent reason and demands to sleep with brides before their husbands simply because it is his right as king. He also goes to kill Humbaba for no other reason than because he is more powerful than Gilgamesh and he has to show his superiority.
Wise Fool- Utnapishtim is the wise fool. He is regarded as stupid or ignorant by Gilgamesh because he does not prize his immortality, something that Gilgamesh strives for with great zeal. He thinks that he is a fool for taking something so great for granted, however Utnapishtim turns out to be very wise as he realizes that living forever is not in fact a gift at all but a burden.
Devil Figure- Ishtar is the most fitting devil figure. She seems to wreak havoc wherever she goes. Gilgaesh even says in part two that her love brings only war. When Gilgamesh refuses her marriage proposal she gets very angry and seeks revenge by asking her father to send down a drought in the form of a Bull of Heaven to kill Gilgamesh, and his people. Her evil side is shown again when she sends a flood to punish her people. The flood is extreme and has horrible, drastic effects. Even Ishtar realizes her mistake and that she was wrong to punish her people in such a way.
Outcast-Enkidu is the Outcast all throughout the book. At the beginning he is and outcast from humans because he is part animal part man. Frowned upon because he is not as good as a person. Then when the prostitute comes and sleeps with him and he is 'humanized' so to speak, his animal friends desert him. They are ashamed of him and he is then an outcast in the eyes of the animals, where he remains until his death.
Double-I think that the best choice for the double is Ishtar. She seems to have this great internal conflict throughout the book. It is almost as if she cannot decide whether or she wants to help, or hurt those around her. She decides to punish her people for their sins, but then realizes that she was wrong and that she was too harsh on her people. “Ishtar cried out like a woman at the height of labor: O how could I have wanted to do this to my people! They were hers, notice. Even her sorrow was posessive. Even though Ishtar obviously has a temper issue and could be considered evil, she still realizes her mistakes. She seems to act like an impulsive child. She lashes out in the heat of the moment when she gets angry, without pausing to consider the repercussions of her acts.
Scapegoat- The scapegoat is Enkidu. Either Gilgamesh or Enkidu must die as punishment for killing Humbaba and the Bull of heaven. Enkidu is chosen to be the punished simply because Gilgamesh is part god and part man, thus excluding him from the wrath of the Gods. Since Enkidu is just half man and half animal, he is the obvious choice for the punishment. He is the offering that the gods take themselves to make up for the loss of the Bull and Humbaba.
Temptress- I think that the thing that best fits the temptress is immortality. It is seen as this beautiful, wonderous thing. Everyone is longing for it, yet it 'destroys those who obtain it. Utnapishtim was given immortality by the gods after he followed their command and build a boat that would last the flood that they sent out to wipe out the city of Shurrupak, because it's inhabitance were defying the Gods, trying to be equal to them by searching for immortality. Utnaishtim was the only man who did not seek for this forbiddion trait, and so was in the end 'rewarded' with it. He didn't think of it as much of a reward because he knew the destructive repercussions that come with being immortal. When he is speaking to Gilgamesh about immortality and mortality he says, “I envy your freedom.” (page 80) As beautiful and tempting as the idea of immortality may seem, it will only bring about destruction and ill fortune.
The Good Mother- The good mother in the the story of Gilgamesh is, in my oppinion, Siduri. Although Ninsun, Gilgamesh's actual birth mother, would have been another good choice, I think that Siduri fits the role a little bit better. Siduri is the barmaid who takes Gilgamesh in and consols him after Enkidu dies. She gives him a place to stay and does every possible thing she can to make him feel better. The book says, “Then she took pity on him and let him enter and lie down and rest. She gave him her bed to fall into and sleep and rubbed his back and neck and legs and arms.” (Page 63)
Antihero- I think that the antihero is also Gilgamesh. Although he does have many of the qualities of a hero, he also has many of the antihero. Once when he and Enkidu are on their way to kill Humbaba he loses his courage and is frightened. Luckily for him he had Enkidu there to keep things together and keep him from panicking until he has recovered. He also has a great pride. He has his people do great labor and work for o apparent reason and demands to sleep with brides before their husbands simply because it is his right as king. He also goes to kill Humbaba for no other reason than because he is more powerful than Gilgamesh and he has to show his superiority.
Wise Fool- Utnapishtim is the wise fool. He is regarded as stupid or ignorant by Gilgamesh because he does not prize his immortality, something that Gilgamesh strives for with great zeal. He thinks that he is a fool for taking something so great for granted, however Utnapishtim turns out to be very wise as he realizes that living forever is not in fact a gift at all but a burden.
Devil Figure- Ishtar is the most fitting devil figure. She seems to wreak havoc wherever she goes. Gilgaesh even says in part two that her love brings only war. When Gilgamesh refuses her marriage proposal she gets very angry and seeks revenge by asking her father to send down a drought in the form of a Bull of Heaven to kill Gilgamesh, and his people. Her evil side is shown again when she sends a flood to punish her people. The flood is extreme and has horrible, drastic effects. Even Ishtar realizes her mistake and that she was wrong to punish her people in such a way.
Outcast-Enkidu is the Outcast all throughout the book. At the beginning he is and outcast from humans because he is part animal part man. Frowned upon because he is not as good as a person. Then when the prostitute comes and sleeps with him and he is 'humanized' so to speak, his animal friends desert him. They are ashamed of him and he is then an outcast in the eyes of the animals, where he remains until his death.
Double-I think that the best choice for the double is Ishtar. She seems to have this great internal conflict throughout the book. It is almost as if she cannot decide whether or she wants to help, or hurt those around her. She decides to punish her people for their sins, but then realizes that she was wrong and that she was too harsh on her people. “Ishtar cried out like a woman at the height of labor: O how could I have wanted to do this to my people! They were hers, notice. Even her sorrow was posessive. Even though Ishtar obviously has a temper issue and could be considered evil, she still realizes her mistakes. She seems to act like an impulsive child. She lashes out in the heat of the moment when she gets angry, without pausing to consider the repercussions of her acts.
Scapegoat- The scapegoat is Enkidu. Either Gilgamesh or Enkidu must die as punishment for killing Humbaba and the Bull of heaven. Enkidu is chosen to be the punished simply because Gilgamesh is part god and part man, thus excluding him from the wrath of the Gods. Since Enkidu is just half man and half animal, he is the obvious choice for the punishment. He is the offering that the gods take themselves to make up for the loss of the Bull and Humbaba.
Temptress- I think that the thing that best fits the temptress is immortality. It is seen as this beautiful, wonderous thing. Everyone is longing for it, yet it 'destroys those who obtain it. Utnapishtim was given immortality by the gods after he followed their command and build a boat that would last the flood that they sent out to wipe out the city of Shurrupak, because it's inhabitance were defying the Gods, trying to be equal to them by searching for immortality. Utnaishtim was the only man who did not seek for this forbiddion trait, and so was in the end 'rewarded' with it. He didn't think of it as much of a reward because he knew the destructive repercussions that come with being immortal. When he is speaking to Gilgamesh about immortality and mortality he says, “I envy your freedom.” (page 80) As beautiful and tempting as the idea of immortality may seem, it will only bring about destruction and ill fortune.
The Good Mother- The good mother in the the story of Gilgamesh is, in my oppinion, Siduri. Although Ninsun, Gilgamesh's actual birth mother, would have been another good choice, I think that Siduri fits the role a little bit better. Siduri is the barmaid who takes Gilgamesh in and consols him after Enkidu dies. She gives him a place to stay and does every possible thing she can to make him feel better. The book says, “Then she took pity on him and let him enter and lie down and rest. She gave him her bed to fall into and sleep and rubbed his back and neck and legs and arms.” (Page 63)
Gilgamesh-Part Four
Part 4-Finally Gilgamesh recognizes his loss and returns to Uruk. He feared that his people would not share his sorrow. When he enters the city he asks a man if he has ever heard the name Enkidu. When the man has not Gilgamesh is shocked. Then he looks at the walls that his people have built. Those that he intended to keep them safe and all that he has accomplished. And for just a moment, nothing else matters but the greatness that he has done.
Gilgamesh- Part Three
Part 3- This is the part of the book where Gilgamesh mourns the lost of his friend and starts off in his search for immortality. He wanders through the desert and clothes himself in the skins of animals. Then he comes to Siduri a barmaid who takes him in and takes care of him while he is mourning the loss of his friend. She encourages him to move on and stop mourning Enkidu. However Gilgamesh refuses and askes her if she knows where to find immortality. Grudgingly she complies and tells him of the ferrier Urshanabi. Gilgamesh goes and its taken to Utnapishtim, a man who is immortal because he survived a flood sent down by the Gods. The man tries to tell Gilgamesh that immortality is not a gift but a burden, but he will hear nthing of it. He tells him where he can find a palnt that grows on the bottom of the river and has throns like a rose. Gilgamesh goes and finds it and is overcome with joy. He lays down on the bank where he falls asleep. Unfortunatly while he is asleep a snake comes and eats the plant. Leaving Gilgamesh Weeping on the shore.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Gilgamesh Part Two
Gilgamesh and Enkidu decide to go kill the great Humbaba, the gaurdian of the Cedars to prove that they are more powerful and superior to him. Enkidu is scared but masks his fear to give Gigamesh strength. They set off, and after three days, reach the forrest. Suddenly it isn't Enkido who is afraid, but Gilgamesh. Enkidu touches a gate and his hand it instantly wounded, turned numb. Tjey rest for the night and Gilgamesh has a strange dream, which he retells to Enkidu who interperates as meaning that only one of them (Gilgamesh) will survive the fight against Humbaba. The next morning they awake and Gilgamesh begins to cut down a tree with his sword. Aroused by the fact that someone was disturbing his forrest, Humbaba comes to punish the perpatraitor. Humbaba comes and strikes EnkiSarah Day: Enkidu on the back, wounding him badly. Gilgamesh is stunned, unable to do anyhting about it untilhe sees that Enkidu is in desperate need of his help. He then snaps out of his daze and goes to help his friend. Eventually they kill Humbaba. Then Ishtar comes and tries to seduce Gilgamesh. He refuses though and insults her saying that he love brings only war. Ishtar is angry andasks her father to send down a bull of heaven to punish them. The bull is sent and attackes the two. Enkidu grabs the bull by it's horns and kills it. Ishtar is very upset that the punishment did not work, so she shouts intulst at them. Enkidu rips off leg leg of the bull and throws it at ishtar who takes refuge with her prostitutes. That night Enkidu's condition worsens. One of the two must die as puniSarah Day: punished. Gilgamesh consols and tries to help his friend, but sadly, in the end, he dies.
Gilgamesh - Part one
In part one we are introduced to Gilgamesh, the king of a city called Uruk which sits between the Tirgis and Euphrates river. Gilgamesh is part God, and part man . We also learn about Enkidu, part man part animal. He was bonr on a steppe where he grew up among animals.
Gilgamesh is a tyrant king to his people. He demands his right to deflowed all the brides and works his people half to death, without giving a reason for their labour.
Enkidu is ignorant and Innocent, he ran with the naimals and drank with them. He knew nothing of fear or intelegence & released animals from the traps set by hunters. One a day a hunters son saw Enkidu releasing an antilope from a trap, the boy oculdn't figure out what the thing was as it was hairy like an animal yes wrked like a man. When he freed the gazel he ran beside it, seeming to be a friend f the animals. When the hunters son told his father what he had seen, it angered and scared him. He ordered his son to go to Uruk and tell Gilgamesh to see a prostitute so that he will be humanized and the animals will be ashamed of him. He knows that Gilgamesh will comply becuase he is king. The son obeyed his father and told Gilgamesh what he had seen. Giving great detail about how the creature had worked with great swiftness. Gilgamesh listens but is uninterested as he has heard many stories. He sends the prostitute and then forgets what he heard. The prostitute is left a thte spring to wait for Enkidu. When he sees her, she is unlike anyhting he has ever seen before. When Enkidu wakes up after sleeping with the prostitute, he is exausted, and feels as if life had left his body. His friends have all left him and he is all alone. One day he awakes and the prostitute tells him that she will take him to Uruk to meet Gilgamesh and becme a man. All the hair is shaved from his body an dhe is given clothes. When he arrives, the people treat his as the equal of their king. When Gilgamesh sees Enkidu, and hears peope cheering for someone other than him, he lunges at Enkidu. They fight and wrestle in the streets. When they stop they look at each other and see themselves in each others eyes. They they laugh and embrace as companions.
Gilgamesh is a tyrant king to his people. He demands his right to deflowed all the brides and works his people half to death, without giving a reason for their labour.
Enkidu is ignorant and Innocent, he ran with the naimals and drank with them. He knew nothing of fear or intelegence & released animals from the traps set by hunters. One a day a hunters son saw Enkidu releasing an antilope from a trap, the boy oculdn't figure out what the thing was as it was hairy like an animal yes wrked like a man. When he freed the gazel he ran beside it, seeming to be a friend f the animals. When the hunters son told his father what he had seen, it angered and scared him. He ordered his son to go to Uruk and tell Gilgamesh to see a prostitute so that he will be humanized and the animals will be ashamed of him. He knows that Gilgamesh will comply becuase he is king. The son obeyed his father and told Gilgamesh what he had seen. Giving great detail about how the creature had worked with great swiftness. Gilgamesh listens but is uninterested as he has heard many stories. He sends the prostitute and then forgets what he heard. The prostitute is left a thte spring to wait for Enkidu. When he sees her, she is unlike anyhting he has ever seen before. When Enkidu wakes up after sleeping with the prostitute, he is exausted, and feels as if life had left his body. His friends have all left him and he is all alone. One day he awakes and the prostitute tells him that she will take him to Uruk to meet Gilgamesh and becme a man. All the hair is shaved from his body an dhe is given clothes. When he arrives, the people treat his as the equal of their king. When Gilgamesh sees Enkidu, and hears peope cheering for someone other than him, he lunges at Enkidu. They fight and wrestle in the streets. When they stop they look at each other and see themselves in each others eyes. They they laugh and embrace as companions.
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