Beowulf

Translations Read: Michael Alexander, Roy M. Liuzza, Seamus Heaney, Felix Nobis, and for fun we'll say Robert Zemeckis as well (the film).
Segment in Discussion: Grendel's Arm

I'm a big fan of Beowulf the epic. It's a mantastic adventure with the greatest hero to ever be. It should be obvious then that I chose the segment where Beowulf tears Grendel's arm off with his bare hands. I find it funny that even though no weapon can harm such a foe, treacherous Beowulf will tear his limb with nothing more than his judo grip. It is of course very far fetched. No man can do what Beowulf did. It isn't conceivable. However it is awesome to read of a story filled with such action and adventure that you wonder why evil doers even tried. It was apparent that Beowulf was basically invincible. If I were an evil-doer I would have given up my quest for power and lived in his kingdom under his protection. Beowulf's reputation was so fierce that for 50 winters it lay safe and unchallenged. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

I enjoyed the underlying humor in Beowulf's strength. He wields a sword for giants, that no other man could possibly carry. He kills sea monsters while racing a fellow warrior in the sea for five days straight. I consider it quite silly.

As far as themes that may be present in the story, well they are numerous. Fighting to establish an identity. Beowulf's culture was pagan so they did not believe in the afterlife. They thought by doing valiant deeds and being remembered then their future ancestors will have good fortune. Notice that everyone in the entire story, is basically introduced as someones son. Wiglaf son of Weohstan for example. A reputation is critically based on your families deeds in the past.

As Beowulf progresses from being a valiant warrior to a wise king his values and goals change. Once being young and with nothing to lose he desired personal glory, while when he was old and the dragon attacks he fights it to protect his people, and not for glory. He wished to be a good king remembered for his great deeds. This could be seen as vain; however, what good is a king unless he is a just and selfless king willing to die to protect his kingdom. Otherwise we would call him a tyrant.

The translations varied in context on different levels. Some were shorter and more poetic while others were in the form of large paragraphs that seems more like a book. The story of Beowulf is a poem in its original form therefore I like the translations that took that approach. Though regardless of the style, if I had not already read Beowulf, I would be able to get the idea of it from the excerpts .

Beowulf is a classic example of the heroic journey because he hits basically all of the steps. Beginning as a warrior, he ends his life as a valiant king, with all of the dilly dallying in between.

They typical hero is thought to be muscular beyond compare, possessing bravery that is unrivaled, and most often than not, a male. Tolkien proves that heroes can come in all shapes and sizes with the Lord of the Rings. I find that heroes are simply fighting for a cause that no others will stand up against. Hercules is a good hero (the Disney version; not actual myth) because he strives to constantly save people in distress and help others in every day fashions as well. He does not charge for his services but instead takes satisfaction in being the hero itself.

Heroes are most definitely dauntless, but that does not mean they do not have fears. What makes the hero unique is that he pushes through his inhibitions and qualms to succeed in his tasks of vanquishing evil rather than submitting to them.

Heroes are cash crops in the movie business as well as in literature. Males especially love to read and see these steadfast figures smiting foe after foe with an M47 rifle or a gargantuan war axe. It allows them to live some of their fantasies; being the hero themselves. People often enjoy something that they can relate to: living in the temporary fantasy of accomplishing great deeds to which are normally alien to them. The world is in need of heroes still, even though there are not evil sorcerers with vast empires set on world domination, there are warlords that kill innocent people by the hundreds. There are monopolies that make their profit by hording supplies which causes the poor to live with undying hunger. Heroes in reality take all forms and do not need mighty weapons to defeat their adversaries. They are needed, and people are waiting.

Monomyth - Frodo Baggins

Frodo Baggins. The friendly hobbit, the savior of Middle-earth. He had many stages that correlate perfectly with the monomyth structure. He was an ordinary hobbit living in the Shire until his uncle Bilbo Baggins left him a magical ring. It was this one ring that led to his most significant journey and that would decide the fate of Middle-earth and all who dwell in it. Frodo embarked on his journey, from his birthplace with the aid of eight companions that are his "helpers" as the monomyth describes. On their journey Frodo is given the Star of Elendil, which contains the light of a star; could be considered his form of the elixir. He is given a mithril vest from his uncle which can relate to the amulet a hero is given for protection. Mithril is the hardest substance known in Middle-earth therefore it is the most protective form of gear imaginable. On Frodo's adventure he and Samwise (his fellow companion) are separated from the rest of the fellowship and alone are subject to many trials that test their courage and friendship as well. They gain an deceitful guide who betrays them while leading them to Mordor. When Frodo, Sam and Golem (the guide) enter Cirith Ungol and later Mordor, it is a definite crossing of threshold into a much darker atmosphere. Finally once Sam and Frodo dispose of the ring in the fiery pits of Mount Doom, his fellow companions are battling all of the evil in Mordor at the entrance called the Black Gate. This is very much the final battle/climax in Middle-earth. Evil is destroyed and Frodo and all of his friends are on their journeys to return home. Even once Frodo gets back to his familiar Shire he leaves Middle-earth for Valinor, the undying lands of the elves. This is almost a second call to adventure and birth/home because of the trip to an unknown land. Frodo embarks on the journey of a lifetime and during which he passed each and every monomyth stage at one point.

What is an American?

I guess the simplest way to decide if someone is American or not, is to compare their lifestyle amongst other Americans. By this standard most anyone can "be" American but with such a diverse country and its many cultures, is it even possible to find a standard to judge against? I live in America, as was I born here, but I don't consider myself anymore American than anyone else. I am not political, I find the majority of the country is struggling with obesity, and with all of the fast food monopolies running the market, it's not easy to get from overweight to a healthy fitness level. I find that other countries in the world have superb living standards, and even more interesting cultures. Would that make me unpatriotic then? American is a point of view, no matter what the skin color or ethnicity, it is determined by the frame of mind that people view this country and the actions that they take to secure a good lifestyle. People come here to live the American dream as they say. I consider it to be the dream of everyone, it's ignorant to think that only America can provide happiness. It supposedly has a greater opportunity for success that's all.