Just Bloggin': Current Events in the Life of Bayley

Well, hi. I have not written in a while, but it is time for a new entry. Last night, I was privileged to see the amazing musical, Spring Awakening. The music and vocals were spectacular. Though, I may be a bit biased because I pretty much love all musicals. I was able to, somewhat, relate the plot to my life, captivating, but also quite intense. if you have the opportunity, see Spring Awakening!!! Today is just another day of the same. School. Homework. Blah, blah, blah. I am just waiting for tomorrow morning to come. Tomorrow morning, I am taking a little road trip to Leawood, Kansas. I am going there for a United Synagogue Youth convention. It sounds very religious, but I assure you it's not. Yes, we do pray and celebrate Shabbat (the Sabbath), but, for me, it is much more than that. The reason I love USY so much is the people. Many of my fellow USYers are very close friends of mine from summer camp. I have also made many friends at the conventions over the past couple of years. Jewishness is what I believe causes such great friendships with these people. They understand how it is to be different, how cultural jokes can be offensive, etc. My friends come from all corners of the Midwest, Canada, and other parts of the United States. I am just extremely excited to see them this weekend, since this is one of the rare occasions that I do. Then it's back to school on Monday. :)

*Look for Inferno Commentary, Canterbury Tales Commentary, and Everyman LRJ possibly coming soon.

Beowulf Commentary

Bayley Taple
Peifer
10 IB Hr 4

15 December 2008

Beowulf Commentary

The hero observed that swamp-thing from hell,
the tarn-hag in all her terrible strength,

then heaved his war-sword and swung his arm:
the decorated blade came down ringing
and singing on her head. But he soon found
his battle-torch extinguished: the shining blade
refused to bite. It spared her and failed
the man in his need. It had gone through many
hand-to-hand fights, he heaved the armor
and helmets of the doomed, but here at last
Hygelac’s kinsmen kept thinking about
his name and fame: he never lost heart.
Then, in a fury, he flung his sword away.
the keen, inlaid, worm-loop-patterned steel
was hurled to the ground: he would have to rely
on the might of his arm. So must a man do
who intends to gain enduring glory
in a combat. Life doesn’t cost him a thought (Haney 1518-1536).

Beowulf is an eminent hero, but he fails to be successful without his essential sword, Hrunting. This is shown true when Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother; Hrunting falters so Beowulf has to rely on his own strength. His failure reveals that he is human; no matter how great he is in battle, he is imperfect. In the excerpt of lines 1518-1536, his dependency on Hrunting is portrayed through the use of alliteration, kennings, and metaphor.

The use of alliteration emphasizes the sheer excellence of Hrunting that Beowulf greatly depends on in battle. “It had gone through many hand-to-hand fights, had heaved the armor and helmets of the doomed…that heirloom failed” (Haney 1525-1528). The repeated “h” sound is hard and strong, in reference to Hrunting, the all powerful sword. The name of this weapon also begins with the hard “h” sound, again showing its vigor. The history of the sword says it was able to pierce helmets, which were made out of unforgiving metal, another image of strength. This power faded. Hrunting could not even slash the flesh of Grendel’s mother. “…the decorated blade came down ringing and singing on her head.” This quote reinforces the power of the alliteration, yet saying the power is now gone.

Kennings are used as an alternative to adjectives when describing the sword and its match with the monstrosity of Grendel’s mother. The kennings are a concise way to convey great strength, rather than using long phrases. Their purpose is to show that a monster such as Grendel’s mother was too great of a fight for the sword, and therefore Beowulf. She is said to be a “swamp-thing from hell” (Haney 1518) and a “tarn-hag” (Haney 1519). The vile descriptions show her origins, a swamp. When hell is referenced, she is made bigger than life because hell is an unknown. Hrunting is called a “war-sword” (Haney 1520) and a “battle-torch” (Haney 1523). The kennings used to describe Hrunting are not as strong as those that are used for Grendel’s mother because, it lost that battle.

One effective metaphor was used when Beowulf encountered Grendel’s mother and the sword failed. “But he soon found his battle-torch extinguished…It spared her and failed the man in his need” (Haney 1522-1525). The word “extinguished” is the metaphor. Beowulf’s sword was not really a blazing fire, but it needed to be shown as such. When Hrunting is said to be “extinguished”, the image of the non-existent flame takes away the reader’s sense of hope. If the author of Beowulf would have just said that the sword did not make a mark, the purpose of Hrunting’s failure would not be seen. When the flame of the sword is smothered, the reader knows that Beowulf has trouble succeeding without Hrunting.

This excerpt of Beowulf is effective because of the author’s use of alliteration, kennings, and metaphor. Along with its effectiveness, it is pleasing to the reader. Its rich images and use of other senses besides sight, sound for example, captivate the reader and keep them interested. Also, the idea that Beowulf needs help to succeed makes him more relatable to mankind, therefore making him a hero the reader can identify with.

Works Cited

Beowulf. Trans. Seamus Haney. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008.

Beowulf LRJ #3

The values portrayed in Beowulf's battle with the dragon all deal with duty to fight and the glory that comes from fighting. It is seen as honorable to fight in the place of a fallen member of their kin, to fight for someone who has given to them, and to fight no matter the consequences (death is graciously accepted). When Beowulf is struggling between life and death, Wiglaf came to fight by his side. "But within one heart sorrow welled up: in a man of worth the claims of kinship cannot be denied" (Haney 2599-2601). This excerpt describes Wiglaf's loyalty to Beowulf and his fellow soldiers; he fights when everyone else retreats. Wiglaf has another reason to fight by Beowulf's side. He says, "I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver's body than to go back home bearing arms" (Haney 2651-2653). Here, Wiglaf acknowledges that he would rather accept an honorable death next to someone who has given him so much, than to be safe while that same person dies. Beowulf too acknowledges his acceptance of death, just as long as his people are safe. "...I have been allowed to leave my people so well endowed on the day I die" (Haney 2797-2798). Though he is so close to death, he still has his people's best interests at heart, rather than his own.

This section of Beowulf, the battle with the dragon, is a bit different than the other sections that were read. Here, Beowulf is defending his homeland, rather than another king's land (such as Hrothgar), because of this he feels stress and anxiety instead of his usual egotistic charisma. He has to face reality; just because he is Beowulf, that does not mean he is always safe. "...a hard truth: his own home, the best of the buildings, had been burnt to a cinder..." (Haney 2325-2326). Even though he was king, his house was destroyed in the inferno of the dragon's breath, just as the common folk. He was not used to such disaster. "His mind was in turmoil, unaccustomed to anxiety and gloom confused his brain..." (Haney 2331-2332). Instead of being hired to fight, as he had in the past, he needed to take initiative himself.

Beowulf's death would be considered an honorable/fitting death for a hero of that era. Societies of his time placed such value on defending one's homeland; anyone brave enough to fight, no matter if they lived or died, was glorified. Beowulf told his kingdom, "This fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me..." (Haney 2532-2533). Whether he felt he was responsible to protect his people or if he just wanted honor, he fought for them regardless and deserves to be called a hero. Beowulf did not just fight, but he fought until the bitter end, and it was not easy. "...it was no easy thing to have to give ground like that and go unwillingly to inhabit another home in a place beyond..." (Haney 2587-2590). Even though the dragon's venom was killing Beowulf, he slayed the dragon before he took his last breath. "Beowulf dealt a deadly wound"(Haney 2705). Beowulf died fighting, which was the only honorable way to die in his time. His death fits him because he was a hero in life, so he shall be a hero in death.

Beowulf LRJ #1

There are three main values of Hrothgar's society portrayed in Beowulf. Hrothgar's society is a patriarchal society with strong Christian ideals; brave warriors are also very important to his kingdom. The importance of patriarchs is shown when the children of Healfdene are named. "Healfdene had four children--Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga the Good, and a daughter who married Ovela, King of the Swedes" (Brendeen 61-64). This is the royal family of their society, the representative for the Shieldings as a whole. The male children are listed, but the daughter is given a name as Queen pf the Swedes. She is not given her own name, but is forced to be seen as a piece of her husband. The Shieldings have very strong beliefs in the Christian faith. When they are in mortal danger (form Grendel), they are reminded that they will go to hell if they lose faith in God. "(Woe be to those who go to the fire's embrace" (Brendeen 53-54). This is saying that even though they are in great distress, they will go to the fiery depths if they do not hold true to their beliefs. Essentially, they are not allowed to lose hope. Heroes brave enough to protect the kingdom are glorified. When Beowulf comes to help Hrothgar's kingdom defeat Grendel, he is praised. "And never have I seen a greater man on earth, any man in armor, than is one among you" (Brendeen 126-129). Here, Hrothgar is addressing Beowulf, telling him that he and his companions are very great because they are brave enough to face Grendel.

Alliteration was a literary device used quite often by the author of Beowulf. The alliterations are used to put emphasis on certain parts of the story, and just give a natural rhythm to the epic poem. One alliteration was used to emphasize the fact that Hrothgar was a good king. "...handed out gold and treasure of huge feats. The hall was high..." (Brendeen 90-93). The use of the consonant sound of "h" shows the greatness of Hrothgar (which also begins with the same "h" sound). Beowulf's ship is described with an alliteration to show its strength. "The ship rode the water, broad-beamed, bound by its hawser" (Haney 301-302). As captain of this strong ship, Beowulf himself is described with an alliteration to reinforce his capability, as head of the mission to defeat Grendel. "...as captain, a canny pilot along coasts and currents" (Haney 208-209).

The use of kennings is another commonly used device by the author of Beowulf. Kennings are words or short phrases used as synonyms to nouns, in order to be more descriptive. In Beowulf, the sea is given another name. "Whale-road" (Haney 10) is this name. It shows that the sea is not simply a vast pool of water, but a means of transportation. Another kenning found in Beowulf is "cloud-murk". Instead of simply saying fog or darkness, this kenning has a stronger connotation of fogginess, without needing to use any adjectives. The gruesome images of carnage in Beowulf are made more grotesque by the use of "wound-slurry"; a vile image is given without the need to use gory language.

Beowulf LRJ #2

Three values are prominent in Beowulf. They are: the glory of a veteran of battle, belief in the Christian religion or a single god, and the masculinity of their society. Beowulf was hailed as a hero when the Shieldings saw that he had conquered Grendel. "...his courage was proven, his glory was secure" (Haney 1646). This is one of the closing lines given after Beowulf returns with the head of Grendel. Warriors are praised in Beowulf because the people were in danger and they needed a rescuer. Anyone willing to protect them was glorified. Christianity is very important to the society of the Shieldings. Hrothgar is described in his desperation for safety, "...the king in his wisdom waited, still wondering whether the Almighty God would ever turn the tide of his misfortunes" (Haney 1313-1315). Hrothgar puts a lot of faith into his "Almighty God", so much that he hopes the God will save him and his people. The society in Beowulf is patriarchal; the men are seen as much stronger than the women. Even monstrous women, such as Grendel's Mother, are placed below the men. "Her onslaught was less only by as much as an amazon warrior's strength is less than an armed man's..." (Haney 1281-1283). Here, Grendel's mother is compared to the amazon warriors. The amazons were very strong women, yet they are still said to be weaker than male warriors.

There are quite a few unrealistic pieces in the story of the battle with Grendel's mother. Beowulf's journey to the submerged lair of Grendel's mother was described as a journey of many hours. "It was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom" (Haney 1495-1496). It is very unrealistic for a human to have the ability to hold their breath underwater for such a great span of time. Beowulf has such a magnificent power to do so because a high magnitude of greatness is needed to describe a hero such as Beowulf. His talents are used to enhance the stories of his adventures, purely for entertainment. Another unrealistic image given in Beowulf is when Beowulf strikes Grendel's mother in the noggin with his sword. "...the shining blade refused to bite" (Haney 1523-1524). It is not possible for a blade to strike someone and not make a single cut in their flesh. The thickness of the mother of Grendel's skin is used to make her seem so much more of a monster, making Beowulf seem even greater. When the description of Grendel's mother is given, another piece of Beowulf goes beyond reality. "Her savage talons failed to rip the web of his war shirt" (Haney 1504-1505). No person can actually posses talons; this description makes her seem like a bird of prey. The author of Beowulf may have been using "talons" as a metaphor, but since there are other mythical pieces in Beowulf, it seems that this characteristic of Grendel's mother describes her as she is, a monster. Details like this are, again, used to add greatness to Beowulf.

There are a couple of quotes in Beowulf that are very intriguing. When Beowulf strikes Grendel's mother in the head with his sword, the sound it makes resonates from the story. "...the decorated blade came down ringing and singing on her head" (Haney 1521-1522). This image allows the reader to use their sense of hearing, not just sight; the vibrations of the metal on her skull are almost felt. This use of sound is essential in Beowulf because it allows the reader to be in the action. Another wonderful image in Beowulf is given when the blood of Grendel is so poisonous it melts Beowulf's bejeweled sword. "...the sword began to wilt into gory icicles..." (Haney 1606-1607). "...its blade had melted and the scrollwork on it burnt, so scalding was the blood of the poisonous fiend who had perished there" (Haney 1615-1617). Like the excerpt that gives the sense of sound, this too gives another sense besides site. It gives the reader a sense of tangibility; the heat can be felt. This piece is also essential to Beowulf because it shows that Beowulf was able to defeat Grendel, who had so many dangers about him.

Creon: Guilty

Bayley Taple
Peifer
10 IB Hr 4
26 November 2008

Creon: Guilty

To the jury of the Theban court,
Creon, King of Thebes and son of the late Menoeceus, is guilty on three counts. One, he prevented his nephew, Polyneices, from receiving a proper burial. Two, his hand caused the death of Antigone. Three, the two above actions led to the stress and suicide of his own wife and son. He shall be punished for the problems he has caused in the House of Thebes.

The first count, on which Creon is guilty, was commented on by Antigone before her murder. She said, “Dishonors which better fit our enemies are now being piled up on the ones we love” (Johnston 12-13). Antigone was referring to the fact that Creon would not allow Polyneices a peaceful journey across the River Styx, while Eteocles received a full funeral and lament. Subjects close to Creon may argue that Polyneices was indeed an enemy of Thebes, but that is countered by the fact that he was a noble warrior fighting for the cause of his country. Another point made by Antigone was that no matter what side Polyneices was battling for, he still shared Creon’s blood. In response to Creon saying that Polyneices was part of the ungodly army, Antigone replies, “Yes- from the same mother and father, too” (Johnston 585). Ask Creon this: does the bind of family not override the triviality of matters of state?

Now, the second count on which Creon is guilty shall be examined. There is no possible way to deny that Creon commanded the execution of Antigone. There is evidence: Creon himself said to Antigone, “Then go down to the dead” (Johnston 599). As examined in the first count, Polyneices deserved a proper burial. Therefore, Antigone’s action to bury him was better than innocent; she was performing a great deed. Though she was willing to take any punishment for what she thought was right, and is right, she should not have been killed.

The third and final count on which Creon is guilty has been attested to. When Creon saw the bloody corpse of Haimon sprawled on top of Antigone and that of Eurydice as well, he took the blame. “I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and my wife” (Fitts and Fitzgerald 134-135).

If none of the evidence above satisfies this jury, there is one more confession that certainly will. Creon said himself, “I alone am guilty” (Fitts and Fitzgerald 122). This disclosure of his wrongdoings will surely have him chastised.

Works Cited

Sophocles. “Antigone.” Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001. 814-826.

_ _ _ “Antigone.” Johnstonia. Trans. Ian Johnston. May 2005. Malaspina University-College 25 Nov. 2008 .

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LRJ #2

Bayley Taple
Peifer
10 IB Hr 4
24 November 2008

LRJ #2

Imagery

There are many strong images given ion Antigone. Teiresias describes the birds in his vision, "Tearing each other, dying In a whirlwind of wings clashing"(Fitts and Fitzgerald 15-16). In this example of imagery, it is easy to imagine bird of prey ripping each other apart, with feathers flying everywhere and their wings flapping all around. The choragos gives another image, "He gathered Antigone close in his arms again, choking, his blood bright red on her white cheek" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 73-74). In this example of imagery, Haimon's blood is splattered onto the corpse of Antigone. His struggle between life and death is seen; he is choking, while Antigone lies peacefully. The choragos describes Antigone soon after she is killed, "...Antigone lay on her couch of stone" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 45). This image reveals that Antigone was comfortable with the stance that she took that led her to death. Her comfort can be inferred by the connotation "couch".

Fatal Flaw

Haimon sates his opinion on Creon's decision to put Antigone to death, "I beg you, do not be unchangeable: Do not believe that you alone can be right" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 73-74). Creon is the tragic hero with the fatal flaw. His fatal flaw is that he does not consider other people's perspectives, and thinks he is the sole being with the answers. In his mind, he is never wrong; he is King.

Anagnorisis

Near the closing of Antigone, Creon admits that he was wrong, realizing the truth, "I alone am guilty" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 122). He was wrong to kill Antigone because, she was just giving her brother the honor he deserved. Also, his choice to kill her led to the deaths of his loved ones. Creon takes responsibility for these deaths, "I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and my wife" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 134-135). Here, he acknowledges that even though he did not provide the final blow to take the lives of Haimon and Eurydice, his actions led them both to suicide.

Peripeteia

When Creon knows the misfortune he caused, the circumstances are reversed. Instead of always thinking that he is right, he comes to know his doing that has caused others so much pain. "When Creon saw him the tears rushed to his eyes" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 64). Seeing Haimon dead brought Creon to face his actions; he cries. "Creon was happy once...And now it has all gone from him!" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 6-10). Again, this shows how his fortune has taken a turn; he was once a happy King, and now his family has perished.

Catharsis

Creon brings the finale of Antigone, "I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 136). Once he says this the audience is satisfied. Though Creon's fortune turned into a downward spiral, there were no other interactions for him to have with the other characters. The audience should feel no fear because everyone who was going to die is dead. Also the audience should not pity Creon any longer because he realized his wrongdoing.

Characterization of Women

Women are portrayed as strong characters in Antigone. At the beginning of the play when Antigone tells Ismene of her plan to give Polyneices a proper burial, Ismene tells her that they (women) cannot fight men. Despite Ismene's opinion of a a woman's place in Creon's kingdom, Antigone goes to battle. She says, "Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way" (Fitts and Fitzgerald 35). Antigone follows her instincts, buries Polyneices, takes the blame, and walks to her death. Her actions showed that she did not only have firm beliefs in what was right, but she actually followed them.

Works Cited

Sophocles. “Antigone.” Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001. 814-826