Beowulf Part 2 PDF - English 4 Honors

Name, date, period: English 4 Honors Mr. Rutherford Answer the embedded questions on lined paper, which you will upload to Canvas. All questions refer to the passages immediately above them. 50% of your grade will be for the content of your responses; the other 50% will be for following the stylis...

Name, date, period: English 4 Honors Mr. Rutherford Answer the embedded questions on lined paper, which you will upload to Canvas. All questions refer to the passages immediately above them. 50% of your grade will be for the content of your responses; the other 50% will be for following the stylistic guidelines. Chapter 4 Their leader answered him, Beowulf unlocking Words from deep in his breast: “We are Geats, 260 Men who follow Higlac. My father Was a famous soldier, known far and wide As a leader of men. His name was Edgetho. His life lasted many winters; Wise men all over the earth surely 265 Remember him still. And we have come seeking Your prince, Healfdane’s son, protector Of this people, only in friendship: instruct us, Watchman, help us with your words! Our errand Is a great one, our business with the glorious king 270 Of the Danes no secret; there’s nothing dark Or hidden in our coming. You know (if we’ve heard The truth, and been told honestly) that your country Is cursed with some strange, vicious creature That hunts only at night and that no one 275 Has seen. It’s said, watchman, that he has slaughtered Your people, brought terror to the darkness. Perhaps Hrothgar can hunt, here in my heart, For some way to drive this devil out— If anything will ever end the evils 280 Afflicting your wise and famous lord. Here he can cool his burning sorrow. Or else he may see his suffering go on Forever, for as long as Herot towers High on your hills.” 285 The mounted officer Answered him bluntly, the brave watchman: “A soldier should know the difference between words And deeds, and keep that knowledge clear In his brain. I believe your words, I trust in 290 Your friendship. Go forward, weapons and armor And all, on into Denmark. I’ll guide you Myself—and my men will guard your ship, Keep it safe here on our shores, Your fresh-tarred boat, watch it well, 295 Until that curving prow carries Across the sea to Geatland a chosen Warrior who bravely does battle with the creature Haunting our people, who survives that horror Unhurt, and goes home bearing our love.” 300 1.​ The watchman is, as the text says, “blunt,” or direct. But what about Beowulf? How fully did he answer the watchman’s questions? What is left out of his account? In an I, ccI; ca, I sentence and using a vocabulary word concerning non-direct speech, describe Beowulf’s style of speaking. Then they moved on. Their boat lay moored, Tied tight to its anchor. Glittering at the top Of their golden helmets wild boar heads gleamed, Shining decorations, swinging as they marched, Erect like guards, like sentinels, as though ready 305 To fight. They marched, Beowulf and his men And their guide, until they could see the gables Of Herot, covered with hammered gold And glowing in the sun—that most famous of all dwellings, Towering majestic, its glittering roofs 310 Visible far across the land. Their guide reined in his horse, pointing To that hall, built by Hrothgar for the best And bravest of his men; the path was plain, They could see their way. Chapter 6: The Arrival of a Hero Then Wulfgar went to the door and addressed The waiting seafarers with soldier’s words: 390 “My lord, the great king of the Danes, commands me To tell you that he knows of your noble birth And that having come to him from over the open Sea you have come bravely and are welcome. Now go to him as you are, in your armor and helmets, 395 But leave your battle-shields here, and your spears, Let them lie waiting for the promises your words May make.” Beowulf arose, with his men Around him, ordering a few to remain 400 With their weapons, leading the others quickly Along under Herot’s steep roof into Hrothgar’s Presence. Standing on that prince’s own hearth, Helmeted, the silvery metal of his mail shirt Gleaming with a smith’s high art, he greeted 405 The Danes’ great lord: “Hail, Hrothgar! Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days Of my youth have been filled with glory. Now Grendel’s Name has echoed in our land: Sailors 410 Have brought us stories of Herot, the best Of all mead-halls, deserted and useless when the moon Hangs in skies the sun had lit, Light and life fleeing together. My people have said, the wisest, most knowing 415 And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’ Great king. They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, Dripping with my enemies’ blood. I drove Five great giants into chains, chased 420 All of that race from the earth. I swam In the blackness of night, hunting monsters Out of the ocean, and killing them one By one; death was my errand and the fate They had earned. Now Grendel and I are called 425 Together, and I’ve come. Grant me, then, Lord and protector of this noble place, A single request! I have come so far, Oh shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend, That this one favor you should not refuse me— 430 2.​ In many legendary tales, ancient and modern, a hero travels to another country to slay a monster and free a people. Usually there is some motivation beyond altruistic feeling. In a I;ca,I compound sentence, speculate about what reward Beowulf might expect for his good deed. What is the “one favor” Beowulf wants? (It is impossible to guess what he actually wants without reading ahead, so just make a good guess.) That I, alone and with the help of my men, May purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, Too, that the monster’s scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord Higlac 435 Might think less of me if I let my sword Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid Behind some broad linden shield: My hands Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life Against the monster. God must decide 440 Who will be given to death’s cold grip. 3.​ And there it is: the “favor” Beowulf asks for. He pleads for permission to hunt down a terrifying monster and kill it. We might have expected as much, of course—but rather more surprising is the specific way he intends to confront the monster. In a I; ca, I compound sentence, explain what is anomalous about Beowulf’s request. Grendel’s plan, I think, will be What it has been before, to invade this hall And gorge his belly with our bodies. If he can, If he can. And I think, if my time will have come, 445 There’ll be nothing to mourn over, no corpse to prepare For its grave: Grendel will carry our bloody Flesh to the moors, crunch on our bones, And smear torn scraps of our skin on the walls Of his den. No, I expect no Danes 450 Will fret about sewing our shrouds, if he wins. And if death does take me, send the hammered Mail of my armor to Higlac, return The inheritance I had from Hrethel,and he From Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!” 455 4.​ In Old English and Old Norse religion and culture, “fate” (Old English “wyrd”) is a fundamental idea. It involves the rather gloomy notion that one’s life will turn out in a certain way no matter what one does. Even the gods of Viking mythology—Thor, Odin, Loki, etc.—could not change dire predictions of their mortal ends. Within later Christianity, there would be fierce debates about whether a person’s life is free or determined by God. What do you think is more important: fate or free will? Explain your views in 2-3 sentences, using at least one vocabulary word. (Out of curiosity, is this the kind of question you ever think about?) Chapter 7 Hrothgar replied, protector of the Danes: “Beowulf, you’ve come to us in friendship, and because Of the reception your father found at our court. Edgetho had begun a bitter feud, Killing Hathlaf, a Wulfing warrior: 460 Your father’s countrymen were afraid of war, If he returned to his home, and they turned him away. Then he traveled across the curving waves To the land of the Danes. I was new to the throne, Then, a young man ruling this wide 465 Kingdom and its golden city: Hergar, My older brother, a far better man Than I, had died and dying made me, Second among Healfdane’s sons, first In this nation. I bought the end of Edgetho’s 470 Quarrel, sent ancient treasures through the ocean’s Furrows to the Wulfings; your father swore He’d keep that peace. My tongue grows heavy, And my heart, when I try to tell you what Grendel Has brought us, the damage he’s done, here 475 In this hall. You see for yourself how much smaller Our ranks have become, and can guess what we’ve lost To his terror. Surely the Lord Almighty Could stop his madness, smother his lust! How many times have my men, glowing 480 With courage drawn from too many cups Of ale, sworn to stay after dark And stem that horror with a sweep of their swords. And then, in the morning, this mead-hall glittering With new light would be drenched with blood, the benches 485 Stained red, the floors, all wet from that fiend’s Savage assault—and my soldiers would be fewer Still, death taking more and more. But to table, Beowulf, a banquet in your honor: Let us toast your victories, and talk of the future.” 490 Then Hrothgar’s men gave places to the Geats, Yielded benches to the brave visitors, And led them to the feast. The keeper of the mead Came carrying out the carved flasks, And poured that bright sweetness. A poet 495 Sang, from time to time, in a clear Pure voice. Danes and visiting Geats Celebrated as one, drank and rejoiced.  5.​ This passage alludes to the perennial “problem of evil,” which in religious contexts could be formulated in the following way: why does God—who is asserted to be omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent—permit evil to happen? In this case, one could wonder, as Hrothgar does, why God doesn’t stop Grendel’s violence—or even why God rejected Cain’s gift, thereby in effect beginning a historical cycle of homicide. In two compound sentences—one I,ccI with “yet” or “for”; one I;ca,I with “nevertheless” or “indeed”—describe how an ostensible calamity made you better off in the end. Chapter 8: Unferth’s Challenge Unferth spoke, Ecglaf’s son, Who sat at Hrothgar’s feet, spoke harshly 500 And sharp (vexed by Beowulf’s adventure, By their visitor’s courage, and angry that anyone In Denmark or anywhere on earth had ever Acquired glory and fame greater Than his own): 505 “You’re Beowulf, are you—the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring And young and proud, exploring the deepest Seas, risking your lives for no reason 510 But the danger? All older and wiser heads warned you Not to, but no one could check such pride. With Brecca at your side you swam along The sea-paths, your swift-moving hands pulling you Over the ocean’s face. Then winter 515 Churned through the water, the waves ran you As they willed, and you struggled seven long nights To survive. And at the end victory was his, Not yours. The sea carried him close To his home, to southern Norway, near 520 The land of the Brondings, where he ruled and was loved, Where his treasure was piled and his strength protected His towns and his people. He’d promised to outswim you: Bonstan’s son made that boast ring true. You’ve been lucky in your battles, Beowulf, but I think 525 Your luck may change if you challenge Grendel, Staying a whole night through in this hall, Waiting where that fiercest of demons can find you.”  6.​ And so we have the first half of a duel in words. Beowulf’s treatment here is reminiscent of the kind of jealous challenge Odysseus receives in the hall of the Phaeacians. Though scholars discuss how “we can’t relate to the boastfulness of this encounter” and talk about cultural differences we need to learn and understand, I’m sure most of us can think of celebrity “beefs” resulting in wars of words. In 2-3 sentences and using two vocabulary words that have not previously appeared in your writing in this doc, summarize one such example of verbal sparring. Beowulf answered, Edgetho’s great son: “Ah! Unferth, my friend, your face 530 Is hot with ale, and your tongue has tried To tell us about Brecca’s doings. But the truth Is simple: No man swims in the sea As I can, no strength is a match for mine. As boys, Brecca and I had boasted— 535 We were both too young to know better—that we’d risk Our lives far out at sea, and so We did. Each of us carried a naked Sword, prepared for whales or the swift Sharp teeth and beaks of needlefish. 540 He could never leave me behind, swim faster Across the waves than I could, and I Had chosen to remain close to his side. I remained near him for five long nights, Until a flood swept us apart; 545 The frozen sea surged around me, It grew dark, the wind turned bitter, blowing From the north, and the waves were savage. Creatures Who sleep deep in the sea were stirred Into life—and the iron hammered links 550 Of my mail shirt, these shining bits of metal Woven across my breast, saved me From death. A monster seized me, drew me Swiftly toward the bottom, swimming with its claws Tight in my flesh. But fate let me 555 Find its heart with my sword, hack myself Free; I fought that beast’s last battle, Left it floating lifeless in the sea. Chapter 9 “Other monsters crowded around me, Continually attacking. I treated them politely, 560 Offering the edge of my razor-sharp sword. But the feast, I think, did not please them, filled Their evil bellies with no banquet-rich food, Thrashing there at the bottom of the sea; By morning they’d decided to sleep on the shore, 565 Lying on their backs, their blood spilled out On the sand. Afterwards, sailors could cross That sea-road and feel no fear; nothing Would stop their passing. Then God’s bright beacon Appeared in the east, the water lay still, 570 And at last I could see the land, wind-swept Cliff-walls at the edge of the coast. Fate saves The living when they drive away death by themselves! Lucky or not, nine was the number Of sea-huge monsters I killed. What man, 575 Anywhere under Heaven’s high arch, has fought In such darkness, endured more misery, or been harder Pressed? Yet I survived the sea, smashed The monsters’ hot jaws, swam home from my journey. The swift-flowing waters swept me along 580 And I landed on Finnish soil. I’ve heard No tales of you, Unferth, telling Of such clashing terror, such contests in the night! Brecca’s battles were never so bold; Neither he nor you can match me—and I mean 585 No boast, have announced no more than I know To be true. And there’s more: You murdered your brothers, Your own close kin. Words and bright wit Won’t help your soul; you’ll suffer hell’s fires, Unferth, forever tormented. Ecglaf’s 590 Proud son, if your hands were as hard, your heart As fierce as you think it, no fool would dare To raid your hall, ruin Herot And oppress its prince, as Grendel has done. But he’s learned that terror is his alone, 595 Discovered he can come for your people with no fear Of reprisal; he’s found no fighting, here, But only food, only delight. He murders as he likes, with no mercy, gorges And feasts on your flesh, and expects no trouble, 600 No quarrel from the quiet Danes. Now The Geats will show him courage, soon He can test his strength in battle. And when the sun Comes up again, opening another Bright day from the south, anyone in Denmark 605 May enter this hall: That evil will be gone!” Hrothgar, gray-haired and brave, sat happily Listening, the famous ring-giver sure, At last, that Grendel could be killed; he believed In Beowulf’s bold strength and the firmness of his spirit. 610 7.​ Using two methods of quotation integration and the words “laconic” and “periphrastic,” describe the kinds of stylistic variation found in Beowulf’s response to Unferth. There was the sound of laughter, and the cheerful clanking Of cups, and pleasant words. Then Welthow, Hrothgar’s gold-ringed queen, greeted The warriors; a noble woman who knew What was right, she raised a flowing cup 615 To Hrothgar first, holding it high For the lord of the Danes to drink, wishing him Joy in that feast. 8.​ Copy two appositive phrases from the previous sentence. The famous king Drank with pleasure and blessed their banquet. Then Welthow went from warrior to warrior, 620 Pouring a portion from the jeweled cup For each, till the bracelet-wearing queen Had carried the mead-cup among them and it was Beowulf’s Turn to be served. She saluted the Geats’ Great prince, thanked God for answering her prayers, 625 For allowing her hands the happy duty Of offering mead to a hero who would help Her afflicted people. He drank what she poured, Edgetho’s brave son, then assured the Danish Queen that his heart was firm and his hands 630 Ready: “When we crossed the sea, my comrades And I, I already knew that all My purpose was this: to win the good will Of your people or die in battle, pressed 635 In Grendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness And courage, or here in this hall welcome My death!” Welthow was pleased with his words, His bright-tongued boasts; she carried them back 640 To her lord, walked nobly across to his side. The feast went on, laughter and music And the brave words of warriors celebrating Their delight. Then Hrothgar rose, Healfdane’s Son, heavy with sleep; as soon 645 As the sun had gone, he knew that Grendel Would come to Herot, would visit that hall When night had covered the earth with its net And the shapes of darkness moved black and silent Through the world. Hrothgar’s warriors rose with him. 650 He went to Beowulf, embraced the Geats’ Brave prince, wished him well, and hoped That Herot would be his to command. And then He declared: “No one strange to this land 655 Has ever been granted what I’ve given you, No one in all the years of my rule. Make this best of all mead-halls yours, and then Keep it free of evil, fight With glory in your heart! Purge Herot 660 And your ship will sail home with its treasure-holds full.” 9.​ In a brief paragraph response that includes one quote from Keirsey.com, explain on the basis of the entirety of this excerpt of Beowulf whether the protagonist is a “guardian” or an “artisan.” (This should be ACES (4-6 sentences), not a full ACECES paragraph.) 10.​Are you enjoying Beowulf so far? Yes no mid.