Both Beowulf and Grendel
Read the passage from Beowulf.Beowulf, Ecgtheow’s son, replied:"Well, friend Unferth, you have had your sayabout Breca and me. But it was mostly beerthat was doing the talking. The truth is this:when the going was heavy in those high waves,I was the strongest swimmer of all.We’d been children together and we grew updaring ourselves to outdo each other,boasting and urging each other to riskour lives on the sea.Now read Luka’s inference.Even though he’s a warrior, Beowulf often defuses the situation instead of rushing to anger and aggression.
In Gilgamesh: A New English Version, Gilgamesh repeatedly has dreams and says, "Enkidu, dear friend, I have had a dream."
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.At four hundred miles they stopped to eat,at a thousand miles they pitched their camp.They had traveled for just three days and nights,a six weeks' journey for ordinary men.When the sun was setting, they dug a well,they filled their waterskins with fresh water,Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh dropped his axe, appalled.Enkidu said, "Courage, dear friend,Close your ears to Humbaba's curses.Don't listen to a word. Slaughter him! Now!"Gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,came to himself.
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Consider the excerpt and theme from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Enkidu said, "Don't worry, my friend,the dream you had is a favorable one.The eagle that you saw, with a lion's head,stands for Humbaba. Though it dived straight toward youand terrifying flames shot from its mouth,nothing could cause you harm. The young manwho came to your rescue was our lord, Shamash.He will stand beside us when the monster attacks.Whatever happens, we will prevail."Gilgamesh, happy with his good dream,smiled, and his face lit up with pleasure.Theme One: Dreams have valuable meanings.
In Grendel, John Gardner uses
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Enkidu said, "Don't worry, my friend,the dream you had is a favorable one.Again, the mountain stands for Humbaba.He threw you down, but he could not kill you.As for the handsome young man who appeared,he stands for Lord Shamash, who will rescue youand grant you everything you desire."
Read the excerpt from Grendel.There was nothing to stop the advance of man. Huge boars fled at the click of a harness. Wolves would cower in the glens like foxes when they caught that deadly scent. I was filled with a wordless, obscurely murderous unrest.
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh backed away. He said,"How dreadful Humbaba's face has become!It is changing into a thousand nightmarefaces, more horrible than I can bear.I feel haunted. I am too afraid to go on."Enkidu answered, "Why, dear friend,do you speak like a coward? What you just saidis unworthy of you. It grieves my heart.We must not hesitate or retreat."
What is one effect of repeating Ráma's name numerous times in The Rámáyan of Válmíki?
Read the passage from The Rámáyan of Válmíki.His brother, fell before his feet,And cried, "Thy claim all men allow:O come, our lord and king be thou."But Ráma nobly chose to beObservant of his sire's decree.
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Read the passage from "A Shield."A lonely warrior,I am wounded with iron,Scarred with sword-points,sated with battle-play,Weary of weapons.I have witnessed much fighting,Much stubborn strife.From the strokes of warI have no hopefor help or releaseEre I pass from the worldwith the proud warrior band.
Read the passage from "A Shield."A lonely warrior,I am wounded with iron,Scarred with sword-points,sated with battle-play,Weary of weapons.I have witnessed much fighting,Much stubborn strife.
Read the passage from "A Shield."A lonely warrior,I am wounded with iron,Scarred with sword-points,sated with battle-play,Weary of weapons.I have witnessed much fighting,Much stubborn strife.
Read the excerpt from Lena's paper on "A Shield."Based on the phrases "I am wounded with iron" and "I have witnessed much fighting," the shield in the poem must be an old shield carried by a seasoned warrior.
Read the passage from Beowulf.At last for the Danemen,When the slaughter was over, their wish was accomplished.The comer-from-far-land had cleansed then of evil,Wise and valiant, the war-hall of Hrothgar,Saved it from violence. He joyed in the night-work,In repute for prowess; the prince of the GeatmenFor the East-Danish people his boast had accomplished,Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully . . .
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