Well, Beowulf is sort of difficult to read because it is written in a different form of modern english and I have to stop like twenty times per page and look up the words in a dictionary and write down the definition next to the word in the book. I learn more by writing in my books because whenever I am reviewing or rereading the text I don't have to look up the words again.
I think that the class discussions are good and have helped me understand the story of Beowulf better because we talk about the characteristics that make a superhero. I think that Beowulf is a superhero to the standards of the society and culture of the time it was written. I don't think that Beowulf is considered a superhero to contemporary society because we now value more characteristics and believe that a superhero needs to have special powers like spiderman in order for them to be a superhero. I think that Beowulf is considered a superhero to the Danes people because he went, on his own will, to offer his help in defeating Grendel.
I also wanted to make a point about why Grendel went to help fight Grendel, in the text it says that Beowulf went by his own will, but also because he felt that he owed Hrothgar because his father owed him money or owed him something. Nevertheless, I think that Beowulf was a superhero because he was courageous, and he protected the weak. I also think that Beowulf is a little too cocky, but I understand why he was. If i had super strength and was like Beowulf, I would be cocky too because Beowulf can back up what he says and he proved it to Unferth when he was trying to make him look bad by talking trash.
Also, who is Beow? is it another character with the same name as Beowulf?
word count: 321 words
Beow is an entirely different character with a similar name.
ReplyDeleteThe point that Beowulf's father owes something to Hrothgar was good. It would have added to class discussion. Don't be afraid to bring that kind of thing up.
I agree with you, Beowulf may not be counted as a superhero in our society today, but there is no doubt that he was counted as a superhero in the Danish society. Our standards and preferences change through out the ages and so there is a lot more that goes into creating a superhero for today's culture than it was back then. But the way I see it, Beowulf can skim the thin line of being a superhero in today's world. He has the "powers" or abilities to accomplish his battles. There is a small hint of his humbleness when he recognizes the fact that he may die. He protects the weak. He has values (values back then may be different than today's). Either way in today's society or in the Danish society, I still see him as a superhero.
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