CHARACTER STUDY (III)

It had been my first day as a college student, and after a long day of being welcomed
 Into the crowd, I couldn't help but ponder life and where I was at right now. I know I want to be a doctor, it's what I've wanted to be since I was little. But something inside me has always been attracted to fighting for injustices. Starting here at UCSD, I know I'm on the right path.
The next morning I awoke to a news broadcast about race riots that had been happening all across the nation. "It's weird to think that this stuff still goes on." I told Alison, my new roommate. "Yeah,someone should do something about it." She said. "Yeah someone should" I thought. As I went to class, I couldn't help but think about the scenes on TV. They were violent, almost remnants of the 60's when racial injustice was peaked. "How can people still think that way? It's such a backwards way of thinking" I thought before class started.
Later that day, I received a text from Erica. It was out of the blue. She was doing well at UCLA and we got on the topic of the national race riots. I told her we should do something about it, and we talked for hours on what we should do. After that talk, I decided we should actually do something. But what could two girls possibly accomplish? how can we change what people believe? And not only that, but what about my medical career? Should I leave it all behind in a wave of regret or should I do something more important. It took me weeks to decide what to choose. The volition of what to do haunted me night and day until finally I saw another broadcast about the murder of a little, innocent child who got caught in a protest turned violent.

CANTERBURY TALES (II): WHAT A CHARACTER!

The Friar

• friars were pledged to a life of poverty, so they aren't so pious
• Chaucer uses indirect characterization and allusion to the time period when the friar introduces himself as a yeoman because there was an anticlericalism
• Chaucer uses direct characterization by showing the deceit the friar has by thinking about scamming an old woman
• indirect characterization with how persuasive he can be.
• his character is the exact opposite of what we would expect so it is ironic and humorous. The friar is supposed to be pious and poor, but he wants to make money and live a luxurious life.
• Chaucer uses irony to portray a sense of humor
• there is a witty conversation between the Friar and Bath's wife which also shows humor

My Dashboard

So I tried the Netvibes organizer and I can't tell if I like it yet. I feel like it is an unnecessary step right now but I'm going to use it for a week and see how it goes. I also think that it acts as more of a hub for information rather than an organizer. To stay organized I typically keep a mental checklist and I use post it notes to remind me what to do and stick them on my binder. I try to be more organized with a planner, but every time I have used those, they get smashed at the bottom of my backpack.

Character Study 1

It is hard to explain the feeling of walking onto UCSD. All I know is that this is where I'm supposed to be; it feels like a second home. The campus is motley of several worlds, there's the beach, there's the art, there's this six different colleges. I love this place because it has so many differences within the university, yet they all come together make something amazing. It's weird to think that I'm finally here and that I can start my adventure.

PHONAR14 VIDEO

• who is a photographer? everyone? only a few?
• talks about what you need to be a photographer. I feel that all you need is a camera, any type, to be a photographer
• what is a photograph? a moment that is fixed in time, has meaning?, has experience
• what is an image? is matter of fact, no depth
• when everyone has become a photographer, there is a surplus of images and a shortage of photographs
• pictures are bound by a frame with edges, so the way it is displayed changes the meaning
• the mode of delivery has changed the mode of portrayal
• we travel by looking through a rearview mirror, we can only understand by adhering old terms to the new
• the authority of the single voice has changed, there is more than one voice and the role has changed?
• ask others for their stories to create a world, with no one particular voice to create connections
• by becoming a platform and a trusted source so that people can share their stories we can understand experiences we haven't experienced
• how are things going to be interpreted by other people?

Relaxing time

With everything going on this year, it can be kind of stressful. I recently learned about a form of meditation called "mandala". You basically start with a point and draw things around that point that come to you in silence. here's one I started yesterday

Recent Events

For those of you applying to Stanford, I am curious as to what you put for this question in the short question part. "What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years?" I'm blanking on all events right now.

Canterbury Tales 1

• shows the chacteristics of 14th century England
• told from different viewpoints
• talks about the different p.o.v.'s on the journey to Canterbury
• they all come from differnet backgrounds yet theyre sharing the same journey
• The Knight is very honorable, seems to be modest because he's had to work for his wealth, he's seen the world through war
• the Squire is young and has not had to work for his wealth so he can focus on what's important to him, finsing a lady
• the Yeoman is well prepared to serve and fight so why is he on a journey of holiness?
• the Prioress is very dainty and feminine. she is graceful and charming but is she seen as a nun or a woman to take?
• the Monk is very rich as seen in his clothing but he doesn't take full advantage oh his position. He was somewhat charming
• the Friar is a very nice gentleman for dealing with beggars all the time, he'll do just about anything for a small fee
• the MErchant was nice and good at wwhat he does, but he's in debt
• seems like everyone is revolving around one issue, money
• the Cleric is all about learning, spends his money on books
• the Lawyer is very good at what he dos, kinda ruthless
• the Franklin is very wealthy and gluttonous
• the Dcotor is very well trained in his career and made good money
• Bath's wife is rich and greedy
• the Parson and the plowman are givers, the parson sees himself as a model for others and sees bribery as sinful, "if gold rust, what then will iron do?"
• The mancipile while illiterate knows how to come out on top
• The host is very merry and inviting to his guests. He wants everyone to tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and another two on the way back. The most interesting storyteller gets a dinner

MASTERPIECE 1

So my Big Question is all about pushing others away on the basis of our differences. The most common example I see, even in Santa Maria, is racism. For my masterpiece, I would like to have a cultural pot luck where we share and embrace, all of our differences not just race, through food we can enjoy. I'm curious what anyone thinks of this so please let me know in the comments!

Bede Notes

A History of the English Church and People

• Britain was formerly known as Albion
• rich in grain, timber, fish, pastures, hot springs
• has four nations of origin: English, British, Scots, and Picts who each have their own language but are united in Latin
• First were the British, then the Picts, then the Scots, then the English

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

• lot of war and death between the Anglians and the Northunmbrians
• people constantly fighting into each other's territory
• one king dies, another succeeds, and then he dies.

VOCABULARY #4

obsequious - adj. attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
Most people who switch sides in competitions become obsequious to the new arty.
beatitude - noun one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed); a state of supreme happiness
My beatitude for the release of the new Twilight movie spiked when we entered the theater
 bete noire-a person or thing especially disliked or dreaded;bane; bugbear.
The bete noire in my class likes to purposely annoy people
bode - verb indicate by signs
The dead person on the path boded signs of turning back
dank - adj. unpleasantly cool and humid
Sometimes Santa Maria has a dank, uncomfortable air.
ecumenical - adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
The Olympics is ecumenical sporting event.
fervid - adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion
They had an intense, fervid love for each other.
fetid - adj. offensively malodorous
Any racist comments can be considered fetid
gargantuan - adj. of great mass; huge and bulky
Stonhenge is a piece of art that includes a series of gargantuan heads.
heyday - noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
The Renaissance was a heyday period intellectually.
incubus - noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
Sometimes deja vu can be of an incubus.
infrastructure - noun the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; the basic structure or features of a system or organization
Governments build roads to build infrastructure.
inveigle - verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
My parents are going to inveigle about where I got to college.
kudos - noun an expression of approval and commendation
Kudos to you for sticking up for that kid.
lagniappe - noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
My grandma brought me a lagniappe home from her trip.
prolix - adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
Lectures can seem to be prolix if they're boring.
protege - noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career'
The taco truck man had a little protégé for the future business.
prototype - noun a standard or typical example
That makeup was a prototype.
sycophant - noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
The sycophant gave compliments to get the job.
tautology - noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true
Some people use repetition  as rhetoric but at other times it can just be tautology.
truckle - noun a low bed to be slid under a higher bed; verb yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
I would never truckle to unreasonable demands.

DECLARATION OF LEARNING INDEPENDENCE

I declare that my senior year learning experience will be different from all the rest. I will incorporate my Big Question into everything possible throughout the year. I declare that learning in AP English Lit will become an oasis to the structured standard classroom setting.

Literature Analysis #1 The Metamorphosis

1. Exposition: Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who has to take care of his family, wakes up late for work. He has to pay off debts for his family and his boss hates when he is late.

Rising Action: Gregor Samsa not only woke up late, but he transformed into a bug. Now he can't pay off his family's debts and is practically fired when his manager finds out what he is. Eventually all members of the family have to work and they become so poor that they have to rent out a room to three men.

Climax: When the boarders find out they've been living next to a bug the family wants to get rid of him and Gregor overhears this.

Falling Action/ Resolution: Gregor starves himself to death to stop the burden he places on his family.

The purpose of this novel was to explicate how work turn people into something easily controlled and their success or defeat is a result of what the boss decides.

 2. The theme of this novel is that as problems in life change or transform one's life in a way in which one is freed from the control of others, one returns to that control in search of meaning of one's life. Gregor was turned into a bug and became free of the habits that surrounded his daily life before the transformation. He had no job and he was able to see how at work he had become something that everyone stepped on. Almost as quickly as he had changed, did Gregor revert back to his old habits, he began worrying about work. He continued to let his family step on him and he became a bug on the inside and outside. While he believes he's in control, he still allows others to control him.

3. The author's tone is very solemn and dispassionate.

"He lay on his hard armor-like back and when he raised his head a little he saw his vaulted brown belly divided into sections by stiff arches from whose height the coverlet had already slipped and was about to slide off completely. His many legs were pathetically thin compared to the rest of his bulk, flickered helplessly before his eyes."

"But then things became much more difficult, especially since he was excessively wide. He would have needed arms and hands to prop himself up, instead of which he had only the many little legs that continually every which way and which he could not control at all."

"Frau Samsa and Grete bowed their heads to the letters as if to resume writing; Herr Samsa, who realized that she was eager to begin describing the details, cut her short with a definitive gesture of his hand. But since she could not tell her story, she remembered that she was in a great hurry, and, obviously insulted, she called out: 'so long, everyone,' then furiously whirled around and slammed out of the apartment with a terrific bang of the door."

4. Rhetorical Question- "What has happened to me?" p.7

Allegory- "As Gregor Samsa awoke from unsettling dreams one morning, he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin." Gregor, his entire life, felt like someone who could easily be stepped on. p.7

Symbolism- "Gregor" in Austria is a very common name for a manservant. pp.7

Situational Irony- ""and now he also saw the head clerk, standing closest to the door, pressing his hand against his open mouth and backing away slowly as if repelled by an invisible and relentless force." p.16 Gregor had the power and failed to use it.

Simile- "The father drove Gregor back relentlessly, hissing like a savage." p.20

Allusion- "something that had been lightly tossed almost hit him, but landed next to him and rolled in front of him. It was an apple, and a second flew in his direction" Allusion to Adam and Eve. p.35

3rd person omniscient Point of View- "' What has happened to me?' he thought. It was no dream." p.7

metaphor- "Get up you old, dung beetle!" p.41

Euphemism- referred to as it by family members "you don't have to worry about the stuff next door...it's already been taken care of" p.54

stream of consciousness- "what a grueling profession I picked! Traveling day in, day out. It is much more aggravating work than the actual business done at my home office." p.7

 

Characterization

1. Direct-

" Above the desk on which a collection of fabric samples was unpacked and spread out--Samsa was a traveling salesman" p.7

""And yet the sister played so beautifully. Her face was tilted to one side and she followed the notes with soulfully and probing eyes low so that they might possibly meet hers. Was he a beast if music could move him so?" p.44

    Indirect-

"If I were not holding back because of my parents, I would have quit long ago. I would go up to the boss and tell him my heartfelt opinion. He would be knocked off the desk." p.16

"I've been invigorated by these few hours of rest. Don't let me keep you further, sir, I'll be in the office myself immediately. Please be good enough to tell them and convey my respects to the Chief." p. 14

The author uses both style of characterization so that the reader can get a sense of how Gregor feels about the situation, but he mainly relies on direct characterization to explain how society reacted to his changes and what that caused Gregor to do.

2. The beginning of the novel involved a little dialogue from Gregor, but most of the sentences were quick and to the point. The author relies on lengthy descriptions to create the impact the story has on persecution in society. This shows how Gregor becomes increasingly inhuman towards the family. Gregor starts with "What has happened to me?" to explicate how stunned he is from the transformation. "And yet the sister played so beautifully. Her face was tilted to one side and she followed the notes with soulfully and probing eyes low so that they might possibly meet hers. Was he a beast if music could move him so?" Towards the end of the novel Gregor begins to question his humanity through his private thoughts. The dialogue's diction is very simple, while the lengthy descriptions and thought of Gregor are relatively flowery.

3. The protagonist is a static character. Despite his transformation, he has a constant outlook on life where he has to do his work and support his family. He constantly wants to be accepted into his family and hopes that he will be valued but them once again. He goes from a state of no power to one where he has the power to change his life and go doing something as a bug, but chooses to stay in the comfort of his home.

The protagonist is a flat character that almost has an inverted growth experience. Gregor goes from being the financial provider in his family to nothing. Throughout the story, he meant nothing to his family as a salesman and as a vermin, but his family changes their views on him. He goes from having a little human existence to none. They forget to feed him and pay any attention to him. The sister refuses to believe that Gregor is a bug and finds him revolting. The family even begins to refer to him as "it"

4. "' Well, answered the charwoman, interrupting herself with a good natured chuckling, 'well you don't have to take care of the thing next door. It's already been taken care of.'" After reading the novel, I came back feeling like I had just met a person who had been debased into a vermin. Gregor was very spirited and lively in the beginning of the novel. He almost saw his transformation as a new beginning, but as the transformation took its toll on the family, he became undervalued. He became a burden and was not even seen as Gregor by his sister by the end of the novel. The family also began referring to him as "it" which shows how much they despised him. The charwoman who hated Gregor from the beginning portrayed him as a thing and a burden so that when he died, she lifted the burden from them.

 

The last supermoon this year

It's happening tonight guys!

http://m.weather.com/news/super-moon-livestream-20140908

Vocabulary #3

accolade - noun a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
I was given an accolade for passing multiple AP tests.
acerbity - noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
Substitute teachers tend to have an acerbity in the classroom because they don't know what they're doing.
attrition - noun the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice; erosion by friction
I used attrition with my hands so that they wouldn't be cold.
bromide - noun any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark
Captain Obvious could be called Captain Bromide.
chauvinist - noun an extreme bellicose nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind Humans are the chauvinists of this Earth even though we have no right to be.
chronic - adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
I had a chronic back pain my entire season.
expound - verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; state
I expounded my Beowulf essay with an extension of the feminist perspective in the story.
 factionalism - noun of a a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization
Regional factionalism is associated wit h political parties in the US.
immaculate - adj. completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
After spell check, my essay was immaculate.
imprecation - noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
The Vice President sleeping with his secretary is an imprecation.
ineluctable - adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
The dawn of application season is coming, it is ineluctable.
mercurial - adj. relating to or containing or caused by mercury; relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change
The Raiders winning the superbowl is mercurial.
palliate - verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
Lawyers try to palliate the sentence the defense receives.
protocol - noun code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
There is a protocol for how to act in a work environment.
resplendent - adj. having great beauty and splendor
I woke up to a resplendent morning with the sun peering through my blinds.
stigmatize - verb mark with a stigma or stigmata; to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
She was stigmatized by society because she had a child out of wedlock.
sub rosa- confidentially; secretly; privately, under the rose
I snuck away to his in a sub rosa way.
vainglory - noun outspoken conceit
Hlf the nation had vainglory for Obama.
vestige - noun an indication that something has been present
the footprints leading to the door were a visage to show that I was not alone.
volition - noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention
When it comes to the volition of colleges, i'm going to very indecisive.     

Beowulf Essay Part Deux: Ms. Beowulf

     A feminist version of Beowulf would keep the storyline with a few minor changes to the character. Beowulf would become a woman with might and power to show that women can be as strong as men. Ms. Beowulf would be surrounded with women at her side as knights not as servants. But due to the context of the story's time, there would be rejection of a strong female leader saving a kingdom and then becoming the leader of that country. Beowulf, from a feminist's point of view, would cherish a strong female character emotionally and physically within her community, but  would be rejected by patriarchal kingdoms due to worn gender roles.
     A feminist would depict women as equal to men. To prove that equality, the feminist author would create a character (Ms. Beowulf) to compare her might, honor, and pride to that of a man's. Ms. Beowulf would contain both physical and emotional abilities. For example, she would contain the superhuman strength that Beowulf possesses to defeat Grendel and his mother and save Hrothgar's kingdom. Ms. Beowulf would also surround herself with men and women alike, who have physical capabilities and honor. But along with incredible strength, Ms. Beowulf would have a strict, perhaps more harsh code of honor than Beowulf would because she would make sure that those that served as her knights would not backstab her. The female Beowulf would also have a very high sense of pride because social situations and honor would be important, but that pride would be less intensified. She would ask for help from her fellow knights and would expect them to help and not run away. if Ms. Beowulf were to die, she would still crave an elaborate funeral.
    The feminist version of Beowulf would be respected within her own community, but she would face struggle in the outer world where gender roles had a strong ground to stand on. Despite being condemned for being a woman on the battlefield, Ms. Beowulf's help would still be desired, although not cherished. Hrothgar would be ecstatic that Ms. Beowulf killed Grendel, but would probably treat her as another woman in that era. When Hrothgar dies, the kingdom would turn to Ms. Beowulf for leadership and she would gladly take on a powerful role.
     Beowulf portrayed through a feminist's view would keep the storyline the same for the most part. Ms. Beowulf would be a dynamic, heroic character that is honored in her clan, but would have  difficulty getting respect from other places. Ms. Beowulf would gain physical and emotional strength, allowing her to advance her respect in those other places.

Beowulf Essay

Beowulf exemplifies the heroic traits and the literary techniques of its time.  Analyze this in the context of our class discussion and the commentary you read, and compare with a contemporary hero and the way his/her story is told.
_________
Extension (you can do this as a separate piece, or you can do this within the framework you establish in response to the above prompt, but this idea was too good to let go even if its authors did :)

How would Beowulf be different if the story was told from a feminist perspective?
    Beowulf is the personified hero of his time. Beowulf is strong, brave, and on the border of godlike. The author symbolizes fate in the form of dragons and personifies the aspirations of the people of his time. Jean Gray is a dynamic hero that also exemplifies the heroic traits that Beowulf does.
     In Beowulf, the battles between Beowulf and his mother are a test of life and death. Each time up until the last battle, Beowulf was able to close death's door with his strength. The dragons symbolized how fate can be challenged but not defeated. Beowulf embraces his strength and power to overcome these situations.. Jean Gray is originally a firecracker with evil and destruction on her mind. She becomes fate and puts others around her in life or death situations. When Professor X suppresses the evil part of her mind she becomes a character who is afraid of her strength and power t avoid these situations.
     Most heroes are a result of people aspiring to be godlike and powerful, but being godlike is impossible in the natural world so supernatural stories surround these abilities. Beowulf is the person every Anglo-Saxon aspired to be. They wanted to have an ultimate strength, an undying bravery, and a position of leadership. Beowulf was a leader who could face anything, but his bravery caused him to face his final battle alone when his strength failed him until Wiglaf saved him. Beowulf is an emotionally stagnant character and the only human characteristic he has is his code of honor causing his character to seem godlike and unattainable  Jean Gray has incredibly powerful abilities which favor the mind over the body. As a female hero, she brings a more attainable heroic character because she brings a lot of emotion into the storyline.
     If Beowulf had been told from a feminist/female perspective, an incredibly dynamic character would have been produced. Brienne of Tarth (from Game of Thrones) is an emotional, strong, and brave woman. She saves men from thieving bandits and has a crush on the King's father as well. Her heroic character is very human like because she shows emotion and strength at the same time. This allows the reader to more practically be her.
    Beowulf's character could be considered more mythical than realistic because of the traits he has. Beowulf id strong, brave, honorable and overconfident while Jane Gray is powerful, knowledgable, emotional, and underconfident. Beowulf's character contained the traits that people aspired for in his time just as Jane Gray embodies the triats that people aspire for in her time.

MASTERPIECE IN PROGRESS

So I haven't done much for my big question except think about what I want to do? I'm thinking about having a global picnic/potluck where we make food from places around the world.

WILL STUDY FOR FOOD

Marian Medical Center has a scholarship for people who have over 100 hours of service and there might be an essay part in the application. I believe it's $2500.

I want to plan on getting $10,000 for my first year in college and set my fundraising bar a little higher each year after.

Vocabulary #2

accoutrements- noun additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity
My accoutrements for today's outfit were a hat, bracelet, and scarf.
apogee - noun apoapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the Earth; a final climactic stage
Getting to the top of the roller coaster is the apogee of the ride.
apropos - adj. of an appropriate or pertinent nature; adv. by the way; at an opportune time
I got of an apropos job in June, especially since my bil is due at next month.
bicker - noun a quarrel about petty points; verb argue over petty things
Me and my brother bicker over who gets to sit shotgun.
coalesce - verb fuse or cause to grow together; mix together different elements
Chocolate and caramel coalesce very well together.
contretemps - noun an awkward clash
Wearing brown and black clothes can cause a contretemps.
convolution - noun the action of coiling or twisting or winding together; a convex fold or elevation in the surface of the brain; the shape of something rotating rapidly
The convolution of wire is what makes cables.
cull - noun the person or thing that is rejected or set aside as inferior in quality; verb remove something that has been rejected; look for and gather
The bird that can't fly is the cull of the nest.
disparate - adj. including markedly dissimilar elements; fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
Cats and dogs are disparate animals.
dogmatic - adj. characterized by assertion of unproved or unprovable principles; relating to or involving dogma; of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
Many knights accepted a dogmatic honor code because it was shameful to not do it.
licentious - adj. lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
Porn stars can be considered licentious.
mete - noun a line that indicates a boundary
The boder crossing between Texas and Mexico is a mete.
noxious - adj. injurious to physical or mental health
The noxious gas fumes caused her to get a headache.
polemic - adj. of or involving dispute or controversy; noun a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma); a writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology)
The Talk is a polemic show where various topics are discussed.
populous - adj. densely populated
Los Angeles is very populous.
probity - noun complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
Certain people believe priests have a strong probity,so they listen to his advice.
repartee - noun adroitness and cleverness in reply
His repartee in the debate allowed him to win the competition.
supervene - verb take place as an additional or unexpected development
Playing golf twice a week supervened my previous notion that we were only playing once a week.
truncate - adj. terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off; verb make shorter as if by cutting off; approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one; replace a corner by a plane
The test was truncated since nobody had time to finish.
unimpeachable - adj. beyond doubt or reproach; completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach; free of guilt; not subject to blame
The fact that paper can be held as something of value is unimpeachable.

Beowulf Comprehension questions

Collaboration: Erica Paculan, Yesenia Beas, Susel Garcia, Jisu Yoon, Millicent Angulo, Naiomi Desai, Jayce Alegre, Laike McFarland, Alec McFarland, Ephraim Rodriguez, Hikaru Kasai, Danielle Cadena, Eric Jackson, Taylor Wall, Michael Hall, and Lupita Pliego

[Prologue: The Rise of the Danish Nation] (lines 1-85, pp. 33-34)

1.Realize that this prologue introduces the Danes, not Beowulf or his people the Geats. What was unusual about the way Shield came to be ruler of the Danes? What was his funeral like? What relation is Hrothgar to Shield?

The manner in which he became king was unusual because Shield was an abandoned child whom travelled to Denmark alone and there was able to change his fate and rule many lands. His funeral consisted of placing his corpse on a fighting ship, piling it up with treasures, and setting him adrift in the sea. Hrothgar is Shield’s grandson.

[Heorot is Attacked] (lines 86-188, pp. 34-36)

1.What magnificent work did Hrothgar undertake? Who attacked it, and with what result? How long did the attacks last? What was the response of the Danes?

Hrothgar built the beautiful dwelling of Heorot, however the monstrous Grendel attacked it and killed many of his men. His attacks spanned over a period of twelve winters. The Danes could do nothing else but remain in the bloody feud with Grendel, although they attempted to remain hidden. Hrothgar’s council tried to find solutions by looking for warriors and making sacrifices to the old stone gods.

[The Hero Comes to Heorot] (lines 189-490, pp. 36-42)

1. What does Beowulf do when he hears of Hrothgar's problems with Grendel?

Beowulf heads out to  Heorot with his men to take on the deed of cleansing it of Grendel. He is confident that with his strength he will accomplish it.

2. Whom do the Geats first meet when they arrive in Denmark? What does he do, and what do they do?

The Geats meet a watchman of the seas/beach shore. The watchman stops the Geats and asks what they are doing with the weapons they carry and the armor they have. He asked them specifically what their purpose was landing on Denmark. The Geats say they are not invaders or pirates, but wish to protect the throne of Scylding and defend the throne of Hrothgar from the villainous Grendel.

3. They next meet Hrothgar's herald. Who is he? What does he tell them? What does he tell Hrothgar? What does Hrothgar respond? Are you surprised that Hrothgar knows Beowulf so well?

Hrothgar’s herald is named Wulfgar. Wulfgar asks the Geats what is their business and asks them what their names are. Beowulf announces himself as the leader of the Geats seeks an audience with the king of Danes, Hrothgar of the throne. Hrothgar responds by saying yes to the warrior Beowulf to speak. No I am not surprised that Hrothgar knows Beowulf because he knows Beowulf’s father who fought with him before king.

4.What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar when he enters? What did Hrothgar do for Beowulf's father?

Beowulf told Hrothgar that he has defeated giants and other mythical creatures. He said that he will kill Grendel unarmed and unarmored when he comes to the hall at night. Hrothgar fought with his father during a feud with the Geats and Scyldings and were settled by a paying old treasure.

[Feast at Heorot] (lines 491-661, pp. 42-46)

1. What does Unferth accuse Beowulf of? How does Beowulf answer him? How is this episode relevant to the poem as a whole? What does Beowulf accuse Unferth of?

Unferth is jealous of Beowulf due to the kinsmen’s adoration for him. He tells the kinsmen that Beowulf lost a swimming match against Breca (and will lose to Grendel as well). Unferth believes that the swimming match was a waste of time and was a reckless thing to do. Beowulf answers Unferth by  telling his side of the story saying that Breca had help, a few monster allies, when he pulled Beowulf under the ocean and then pointedly mocks Unferth. This is relevant to the poem as it enhances the reader’s analysis of Beowulf’s character. The episode shows Beowulf’s boastfulness and arrogance, which is an overall big part of the whole poem.  

2. What is Queen Wealhtheow doing during the feasting?

Queen Wealhtheow goes around passing drinks and food to the soldiers as a sign of gratefulness and peace.

[The Fight with Grendel] (lines 662-835, pp. 46-49)

1.Heroic poetry normally has a scene in which the hero arms for battle. What is different about Beowulf's preparations for his fight with Grendel?

Instead of arming for battle, typical for a heroic poetry battle scene, Beowulf believes he is strong enough to beat Grendel without the use of any weapon. Therefore, Beowulf strips himself of any weapon, using instead his bare hands.

2.What happens when Grendel enters Heorot? How does Beowulf fight with him? What happens when Grendel tries to leave? Does Grendel escape? What does he leave behind?

When Grendel enters Heorot, he encounters many men sleeping and imagines the destruction and murder he could cause. However, he also finds an alert and prepared Beowulf. Beowulf fights him without armor or weapons, he simply tightly grasps Grendel, refusing to let him go. Within minutes, Beowulf’s men are attempting to help, but their weapons are harmless to Grendel. Grendel is weak and unable to free himself, but he is able to escape because he loses an arm.

[Celebration at Heorot] (lines 836-1250, pp. 49-60)

1.When the Danes and Geats return from following Grendel's tracks to the mere, someone sings in Beowulf's presence, comparing him to Sigemund and saying that he was not like Heremod (lines 883-914). How is Beowulf like Sigemund? How is he not like Heremod? (Be alert for inserted stories such as this one. Beowulf contains many of them, most much more complex than this one.)

Beowulf is like Sigemund because they both cared and protected their people, ultimately they were both heroes who murdered monsters. On the other had, Heremod ignored the needs of his people, he did not protect them and actually turned on them.

2.How does Hrothgar respond to Beowulf's deed? What does he offer to do for him? What does Unferth have to say now?

Hrothgar makes a speech praising Beowulf as well as offers him the best riches and to get vengeance for all the Geat soldiers that were murdered. Unferth now says nothing, Beowulf has proven his bravery.

3.The singer sings of Finn during the feasting (lines 1070-1158). The exact details of the Finn story are not clear, but in general, what happens? What does it suggest about the wisdom of using a woman as bride to heal enmity between tribes?

In general, the Danish general is treacherously attacked at Finn’s castle. Hengest succeeds Hnaef as the Danish general and a pact is made between Finn and the Danes after his force is nearly exterminated. Hengest is stuck in the castle during Winter and comes up with a way to enact vengeance. He kills Finn and the jewels of Finn are borne away to the Dane’s castle. This suggests that using a bride to heal enmity between tribes is not the smartest thing to do.

4.When the feasting resumes, what does Wealhtheow ask Hrothgar not to do?

Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar not to give Beowulf the throne.

5.Wealhtheow gives Beowulf a large, broad necklace. What later happens to it? What does Wealhtheow ask Beowulf to do?

Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to help her sons if they are ever in need.

6.Why do so many men remain in the beer hall to sleep? Why is it a mistake?

The men had all fallen asleep in the beer hall, because they had earlier defeated Grendel and had been drinking and feasting in celebration. This was a mistake, because Grendel’s mother comes back to take her revenge.

BEOWULF AND GRENDEL'S MOTHER (lines 1251-2199, pp. 60-79)

[Another Attack] (lines 1251-1382, pp. 60-62)

1.Why has Grendel's mother come to Heorot? Is it the same reason Grendel had?

Grendel’s mother came to Heorot to take revenge while Grendel came to Heorot to kill without reason.

2.What is Hrothgar's response? Whom has Grendel's mother killed?

Grendel’s mother kills Hrothgar’s good friend, Aeschere. Hrothgar promises Beowulf that he will repay him greatly if he is able to kill Grendel’s mother.

3.What sort of place is the mere?

The literal/dictionary meaning of mere is a “lake, pond, or arm of a sea.” Hrothgar describes a haunted mere where Grendel’s mother lives. He says that no one knows how deep it is and that at night, the water burns in it. He also says that the mere throws dirty water up to the sky in storms.

[Beowulf Fights Grendel's Mother] (lines 1383-1650, pp. 63-68)

1.How does Beowulf tell Hrothgar to respond?

Beowulf asks Hrothgar to take care of his men if he doesn’t survive. Hrothgar had also promised gifts to Beowulf, which he requests him to send to his king, Hygelac. He also reveals his heroic personality by his words, “It is always better / to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.”

2.What happens at the mere before Beowulf enters it?

When Beowulf first dives in the mere, he at first sinks and takes an entire day to reach the bottom. While fighting with the monster, towards the end of the fight, the water filled with blood and warriors assumed him to be dead.

3.How does Beowulf prepare for the battle? What sword does he take with him?

Beowulf prepared for battle by courageously getting his armor and weapons because he wants to get revenge on those who were killed by Grendel, so he is off to kill his Grendel’s own mother. Beowulf is granted a sword which is named “Hrunting” from Unferth which is passed down and admired as an “old-time heirloom.”

4.What happens when Beowulf enters the mere? What is surprising about where Grendel and his mother live in the mere?

Beowulf dives in the “floor of the sea” to get into the mere and have his battle with Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother tries to kill Beowulf in the spot but his armor protects him then she brings him to her underwater lair which marks her “own” territory, so no other creatures will bother her.

5.What happens to the sword Beowulf borrowed from Unferth?

“Hrunting”, the sword given by Unferth, was completely useless against Grendel’s mother that it broke in the spot during their battle.

6.At one point Beowulf is on the floor, with Grendel's mother sitting on him and drawing her knife. How does Beowulf escape?

Beowulf escapes by using his armor; his armor protects him from the knife wound and then he uses his strength to escape from Beowulf’s mother.

7.How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother? What weapon does he use? What happens when she dies? What does Beowulf take with him from her home? What happens to the sword he used to kill her?

Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother by cutting the mother’s throat using the sword of Eotens. When she dies, Beowulf decides to bring the mother’s head home in order to take revenge for those who got killed by Grendel. The sword melts down only leaving the hilt because of the mother’s acidic blood.

8.What happens when Beowulf returns to the surface? Did his men expect him to return?

When Beowulf returns to the surface by swimming, his men are not there waiting for him because they did not expect him to return alive from Grendel’s mother.

[Further Celebration at Heorot] (lines 1651-1798, pp. 68-71)

1.What does Beowulf give to Hrothgar?

After fighting  Grendel’s mother; Beowulf seeks the head of Grendel to give to the king.

2.What message does Hrothgar have for Beowulf? What and why does he tell us about Heremod? Why and how did Heremod die? What lesson does Hrothgar teach with the Heremod example?

He tells Beowulf the story of an ambitious and prideful king named, Hermond. King Heremod ends up dying in misery and alone. He advises Beowulf not to be like that king because the same will happen to him. Hrothgar teaches him what happens to a king when he is overtaken by pride.

3.What does Beowulf give to Unferth as he leaves?

Beowulf returns to Unferth his sword, Hrunting; that Beowulf used right before his fight with Grendel’s mother.

[Beowulf Returns Home] (lines 1799-2199, pp. 71-79)

1.What future does Hrothgar predict for Beowulf?

Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he will become an epic king and have a great reign over his kingdom. There is no mention of his demise or any other important details of that sort

2.Who is Hygd and why is she not like Modthryth?

Hygd reigns as Queen of the Geats. She is an excellent ruler unlike Modthryth who is a lousy and cruel leader

3.Beowulf reports to Hygelac that Hrothgar may marry his daughter Freawaru to Ingeld. Why does he plan to do that? What does Beowulf expect the result will be? (Remember the Finn story, lines 1070-1158.) How does Beowulf think the peace will be broken? Is this the type of report we expected from the hero Beowulf, or are we seeing a new side of him?

Marrying Ingled with Freawaru will hopefully end the vendetta the families are having. He expects the marriage will temporarily end the feud yet will not last very long. Beowulf plans to try this but is rightly worried since the fighting has waged for so long and the pride based members could reignite the flame by killing another. From what we have seen of the hero is this outside of his character since usually he is brave and always seeks the best even in the face of overwhelming odds

4.How does Beowulf report about his own adventures? Does he report accurately?

    Beowulf is arrogantly reports his adventures in a boastful manner. Exaggerating much of his adventure.

 

5.What does Beowulf do with the treasure he was given? What does Hygelac give him?

    Beowulf gives the treasure to Hygelac, and in return Hygelac gives Beowulf a powerful sword, land, hides, and a gigantic house.

BEOWULF AND THE DRAGON (lines 2200-3182, pp. 79-99)

[The Dragon Wakes] (lines 2200-2509, pp. 79-86)

1.How much later does Part 2 take place? What kings have died in the meanwhile? What danger now exists?

Part 2 is fifty years later. Hygelac and Heardred both died, and a dragon is attacking Beowulf’s kingdom.

2.Why is the dragon angry? Why did the man take a cup? How did the treasure come to be there in the first place? (The speech of the lone survivor, the one who put the gold in the barrow, is in a typically Old English elegiac tone.

The dragon is angry because a man took a cup from his hoard of treasure. The man took the cup to bring back to his lord to make peace because he was fleeing for his life. The treasure was once an old lord’s hoard that he kept with him until he died because all of his kinsmen had perished.

3.What did the dragon destroy that evening?

The dragon destroyed the homes and land of the Geats that evening.

4.Why does Beowulf think his home was burnt? Why does he order a new shield? How will he fight this battle? What will happen to him?

Beowulf thinks his home was burnt because he is war-lord of the Geat kingdom, and he grew up there. He orders a new shield made of iron because his old one was wooden which wouldn’t withstand fire. He fights the battle by himself with a sword and shield and brings eleven men with him. Beowulf will die for he is old and beginning to weaken, and swords won’t do him any good because of his remarkable strength.

5.How did Hygelac die? (The description in lines 2354-2379 begins one of several versions of Geatish history and Hygelac's death we will get.) What did Beowulf do after Hygelac's death? What happened when he returned home? Did he accept Hygd's offer to become king?

Hygelac died in battle in Friesland. When he was killed, Beowulf swam to safety right after Hygelac’s death to return home. When he returned home, Hygd offered Beowulf to take the Hygelac’s throne as his successor. She didn’t think her son was ready to rule due to his inexperience. Beowulf did not accept to become the king of Geatland yet, but he gave support for Hygd’s son. He aided his way to mature as a good successor.

6. What happened to Hygelac's son Heardred? (That's the story in lines 2380-2390.) How did Beowulf plan to revenge Heardred's death (lines 2391-2396)?

Onela from Sweden voyaged across to meet Heardred, which he was mortally wounded from a sword. This left Beowulf to ascend the throne of Geatland. He planned his revenge by receiving men from Eadgils and eventually killed Onela.

7.How many men accompany Beowulf as he goes to meet the dragon?

He took “eleven comrades” with him to fight the dragon. Beowulf told his men the stories of his youth and his vow to defeat the dragon while the men accompanied him.

8.What happened to Hygelac's oldest brother Herebeald? Who killed him? What did this do to his father King Hrethel? (This passage, lines 2425-2509, is the second account of Geatish history and of the death of Hygelac.) What happened between the Swedes and Geats after Hrethel's death? What happened to Haethcyn? How die Beowulf revenge Hygelac's death?

Hygelac’s oldest brother, Herebeald, was killed in an accident by his brother Haethcyn. This caused their father, King Hrethel, to shut down and die of grief. After their father’s death Haethcyn became king and lead the Geat people into a war with the Swedes, but died during the war. His brother Hygelac then proceeded into the throne but after defeating the Swedes in the war died during a raid.  Beowulf soon become kings and rules the land as a wise and noble king.

[Beowulf Attacks the Dragon] (lines 2510-2820, pp. 86-92)

1.What does Beowulf tell his companions to do?

As Beowulf approaches the home of the dragon he gives a speech to his companions about how he feels nothing less because he is using the armor, a shield, and a sword. He tells about how the dragon is far greater than Grendel, he tells them that this fight will be between him and the dragon. The ending result will be whatever fate decides for him.

2.What happens the first time Beowulf and the dragon fight? What do his companions do? How is Wiglaf different? What does he tell the others? What does he then do?

As Beowulf approaches the dragon he yells a loud war cry that shows the dragon his intent. The dragon soon awoke and poured out fire at Beowulf, who stood still with his shield at hand. The shield protected him but the fire began to overwhelm it, he struck out with his trusty sword but as it pierced the beast’s skin it shattered. Now he was stuck with no weapon against the fire breathing beast. All but one of his companions had fled in fear, only Wiglaf stood there seeing his king in danger. He remembers the oath that all the men had taken to help and defend their king and goes to aid of Beowulf.    

 

3.What happens the second time Beowulf meets the dragon? What happens to Beowulf? Who kills the dragon?

Beowulf and Wiglaf kill the dragon together. Beowulf is mortally wounded when he's hit by the dragon's poisonous breath.

4.What does the dying Beowulf ask Wiglaf to do? What happens when Beowulf sees the gold? How does Beowulf want to be buried?

He asks him to get the treasure the dragon was hiding. At the sight of his treasure, Beowulf practically dies of happiness. But before he dies he tells Wiglaf his final wishes. He wants to be buried with his treasure on a high hill with a tall tower so that everyone will remember Beowulf and his greatness.

[Beowulf's Funeral] (lines 2821-3182, pp. 92-99)

1.What happens when the companions return? What does Wiglaf say to him? What does he expect will happen in the future?

When they return, they find Wiglaf grieving over the dead Beowulf. Wiglaf reminds them of the promise they had made to Beowulf and of their cowardice. Wiglaf expects the Geats to be attacked by enemies once again.

2.What does the messenger tell the city? (This passage, lines 2900-3027, is the third account of the history of the Geats and the death of Hygelac. These are the enemies that will attack the Geats when they learn of Beowulf's death.) What happened overnight in Ravenswood after Ongentheow killed Haethcyn? What happened the next morning? What happened to Ongentheow? What does the messenger say to do with the gold? What is the final image (animal) of the messenger's speech?

A battle is coming between the Geats and the Swedes. Ongentheow returned home after killing his target. Eofor captured the man who killed his father. They later fought to the death where Eofor claimed to be the winner. Only warriors who were given gold by Beowulf were allowed to enter the barrow and honor his kingmenship. The final image was the dragon.

3. What does Wiglaf tell the crowd that comes to see the dragon and Beowulf?

Wiglaf tells the crowd that they must not take the gold or they will be cursed if they do unless blessed by heaven to claim it. They must leave their fallen leader to burn next to the fallen enemy, the dragon.

4.What happens to the dragon?

The dragon is pushed off a cliff and falls into the rolling waves of the sea.

5.What happens during and after the funeral celebration?

During the funeral celebration the entirety of the people mourn for their lost king, a huge memorial that could be seen by all was constructed. This memorial was his tomb, a place where they buried Beowulf and all his worldly treasures. After the funeral celebration,12 warriors, men of Beowulf’s, gather around his tomb to chant, “mourning his loss as a man and as a king.”

6.What did the Geats say about Beowulf in the last three lines of the poem? Are these the terms one would expect to be used to describe a military hero?

In the last three lines of the poem, the twelve Geats describe Beowulf with much love because he has sacrificed his life to protect his people and they addressed him as their “beloved leader”, which is a memorable way to describe a military hero. The Geats also addressed him as a “prince so mild” which is ironic because he holds that courage and rage he expresses when he fights in a battle.