Hell hath no fury like Research Papers
Dec. 5th, 2002 01:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jackofallgeeksIt was really rather foolish of me to take this course.
I should have known better.
It sounded good at the time.
See, roughly six months or so ago, I want thinking up what classes I could take for the semester. I had my required courses, and I had my Philosophy, but there was one elective that I still had open. I couldn'ttake another Philosophy yet. I could have taken a Psychology. I couldn't find a decent writing course...
But, I talked with Sam.
"Sam," I said, "what's a good elective for me to take?"
And he regailed me with the glory and wonders that were Literature of Fantasy. He said that it was an easy-A course, where you had one paper, one test - and not only that, but they read both Dune and Ender's Game, two books I was told I must read at some time. Additionally, I figured that if I couldn't find a Creative Writing course to improve my style, perhapse reading Fantasy Literature itself would broaden my ideas.
There was one little tiny problem I forget about. One little thing.
I hate analyzing literature. I honestly can't stand it. It makes me physically sick. This is not to say I don't like thinking about Literature - that's completely different, as might be told by my fascination with writing in general. But Analyzing literature, the way that English Majors do it... It seems to me that they just twist the words of the author until they fit a given purpose. In my paper, I'm 85% SURE it doesn't say what I claim it does, but I needed so many pages of symbolism for nature in Beowulf. Whee.
So, yeah, I rather loathe this paper. I LIKE writing - even essay writting I find enjoyable, and a number of my posts might arguable be called essays. I did not like this and, frankly, if I get a C in the class I'll be fine. I just need to keep my Scholarship money, and I'm good.
The epic tale of Beowulf is a story of the foundation and fall of society. In the beginning, there is chaos in Heorot, where the Sheildings were beset by the terrible monster Grendel and were unable to fight him. The story then follows the hero Beowulf as he journeys from Geatland to confront the beast and later it’s mother. In the latter part of the story, Beowulf has become king, but is besieged by a dragon which ultimately kills Beowulf. The story itself is filled with all manner of symbolism and allegory. Included in this is the twisting of nature in order to represent the supernatural. Further than that, however, nature as presented in Beowulf, is used to represent that which destroys civilization. Through the incarnations of The Wilderness, Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the Dragon, all of which fight against Beowulf and threaten society, nature is shown to be the enemy of man.
First, there must be a connection made between these different incarnations of nature. The wilderness is an obvious form of nature, in that it composes everything in the natural world that is not claimed by man as civilization. This basic cut, between what is nature and what is society, is the key connection between these different forms of nature. Both Grendel and his mother are set as outcasts from the beginning, neither one more than barely resembling a human being, and both being exiled by God (Beowulf, lines 100-110 ). The Dragon, as well, lives out in the wilderness, and in fact resides on the bones of a fallen civilization (lines 2212-2215, 2232-2235), which sets him further in opposition of society.
It is common to fantasy tales to often times twist nature in ways which help show the supernatural. Beowulf is no different, and has several natural places and events which have supernatural meaning. The first place where the hostility of nature to society is pointed out is perhaps the lair of the Dragon. The Dragon makes his Lair on the remains of an older civilization, guarding the ancient treasures (Beowulf, lines 2232-2235). This is an interesting symbol in that it impresses the idea that nature will reclaim the land when civilization falls, and it strives towards that end. The dragon’s lair also resonates with the description of Heorot, where it is initially doomed to destruction (line 83).
A second scene is presented in Beowulf’s account of his swim-match with Breca. Beowulf describes the swim-match in language which implies struggle or battle. He says the waves were savage and fierce, and a ‘battle-grim’ wind turns against them. Beowulf is dragged down by a ‘deadly foe,’ and he calls the beasts he fights off ‘workers of malice’ (Lee, p 77). This enforces the role of nature as demons and monsters, enemies of man, a contrast which is strengthened by the fact that men are associated in great part with God and holiness.
A third and final place of note is the mere, or lake, in which Grendel and his mother live. The mere is easily identifiable as an ‘underworld’ of sorts, both due to the fact that the monsters live there and because of the eerie flames that appear on the water at night (lines 1365-1366). This is appropriate in that Beowulf’s trip into the mere becomes his heroic decent into the underworld, a characteristic in most quest narratives (from line 1492). In this first case, nature is twisted to resemble Hell, and her minions are the demon Grendel and the sea-dragons of the mere.
Of the embodiments of nature which have been chosen, Grendel is the most prominent. Grendel is the first tormentor of society, that which brings Beowulf to Heorot in the first place, and the first obstacle which Beowulf overcomes. It is initially apparent that Grendel is an outcast, both from society and God (lines 100-110). His demonic nature is touched upon time and again, with his inhuman form and profane lineage key marks on his character.
As an agent of nature, however, Grendel also embodies something which threatens society directly. However, it is possible that while Grendel himself is outcast from society, he signifies a threat which is itself a part of society. "He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall," (lines 166-167). The barred doors to the hall also swung open at his touch when he came to the mead-hall, signifying that Grendel is a foe not easily kept out (lines 171-172). Furthermore, as is pointed out in Gold-Hall and Earth-Dragon, Grendel attacks when man is prideful and lets his guard down (Lee, pp 17-18). It can then be argued that Grendel, and nature in general, is meant to signify not only demons, but human vices as well. Quite blatantly, Grendel is not a foe which you can fight with swords, as he is impervious to bladed weapons (Beowulf, lines 800-803). When Beowulf fights Grendel, it is barehanded. He defeats the beast with shear physical strength, which has often classically been allegorical to moral strength, especially in Christian writings.
The second obstacle to Beowulf and society is Grendel’s mother, another outcast beast. It is interesting to note that the hell-dam came to Heorot seeking revenge (line 1278). When Beowulf fights her, it is on her terms, as he plunges into her watery lair (line 1493). The fight with Grendel’s mother is a harder-fought battle as well. Indeed, Beowulf must use an ancient sword to carry the day, all of this implying that this threat to society is more fatal than the last. In truth, it may be that since she embodies on some level a value that Beowulf’s society stands for, that threat may be the most dangerous yet, and even impossible to overcome alone. It may be this flaw which dooms Beowulf’s society to collapse in the end.
The final agent of nature and threat to society and man is the Dragon. Unlike the previous incarnations, the Dragon himself is not made out to be demonic. Like the others before him, however, the Dragon is seemingly set off by vice. On the one hand, there is theft by the man, and on the other there is the terrible greed which incites the beast’s wrath (lines 2216-2219). It is noteworthy to point out that one man steals from the Dragon’s lair, and the whole of society is tormented by the Dragon (lines 2312-2315). It is also Greed which Beowulf, dieing, foresees as inevitably destroying his society (line 2793).
Additionally, however, the Dragon also symbolizes Death. His lair is built on the ruins of an ancient civilization, of which there are no survivors (lines 2236-2237). Beowulf must also face the dragon alone, just as all men must meet death. It is also a fitting symbol as the dragon is what kills Beowulf, after fighting both Grendel and the hell-dam, and ruling his people (lines 2713-2714). Death is the greatest and final enemy of man.
It has been shown that the figure of nature in Beowulf is summed up in the characters of the Wilderness, Grendel, the Hell-dam, and the Dragon. In each of these pieces, nature is turned to symbolize the unnatural, violent towards men, and that which destroys society. In an epic tale of the origins of a people, nature symbolizes the vices and trials with which they battle.
Works Cited
Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.: New York, NY. 2000
Lee, Alvin A. Gold-Hall and Earth-Dragon: Beowulf as Metaphor. University of Toronto Press, Inc: Toronto, Canada. 1998
I should have known better.
It sounded good at the time.
See, roughly six months or so ago, I want thinking up what classes I could take for the semester. I had my required courses, and I had my Philosophy, but there was one elective that I still had open. I couldn'ttake another Philosophy yet. I could have taken a Psychology. I couldn't find a decent writing course...
"Sam," I said, "what's a good elective for me to take?"
And he regailed me with the glory and wonders that were Literature of Fantasy. He said that it was an easy-A course, where you had one paper, one test - and not only that, but they read both Dune and Ender's Game, two books I was told I must read at some time. Additionally, I figured that if I couldn't find a Creative Writing course to improve my style, perhapse reading Fantasy Literature itself would broaden my ideas.
There was one little tiny problem I forget about. One little thing.
I hate analyzing literature. I honestly can't stand it. It makes me physically sick. This is not to say I don't like thinking about Literature - that's completely different, as might be told by my fascination with writing in general. But Analyzing literature, the way that English Majors do it... It seems to me that they just twist the words of the author until they fit a given purpose. In my paper, I'm 85% SURE it doesn't say what I claim it does, but I needed so many pages of symbolism for nature in Beowulf. Whee.
So, yeah, I rather loathe this paper. I LIKE writing - even essay writting I find enjoyable, and a number of my posts might arguable be called essays. I did not like this and, frankly, if I get a C in the class I'll be fine. I just need to keep my Scholarship money, and I'm good.
The epic tale of Beowulf is a story of the foundation and fall of society. In the beginning, there is chaos in Heorot, where the Sheildings were beset by the terrible monster Grendel and were unable to fight him. The story then follows the hero Beowulf as he journeys from Geatland to confront the beast and later it’s mother. In the latter part of the story, Beowulf has become king, but is besieged by a dragon which ultimately kills Beowulf. The story itself is filled with all manner of symbolism and allegory. Included in this is the twisting of nature in order to represent the supernatural. Further than that, however, nature as presented in Beowulf, is used to represent that which destroys civilization. Through the incarnations of The Wilderness, Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the Dragon, all of which fight against Beowulf and threaten society, nature is shown to be the enemy of man.
First, there must be a connection made between these different incarnations of nature. The wilderness is an obvious form of nature, in that it composes everything in the natural world that is not claimed by man as civilization. This basic cut, between what is nature and what is society, is the key connection between these different forms of nature. Both Grendel and his mother are set as outcasts from the beginning, neither one more than barely resembling a human being, and both being exiled by God (Beowulf, lines 100-110 ). The Dragon, as well, lives out in the wilderness, and in fact resides on the bones of a fallen civilization (lines 2212-2215, 2232-2235), which sets him further in opposition of society.
It is common to fantasy tales to often times twist nature in ways which help show the supernatural. Beowulf is no different, and has several natural places and events which have supernatural meaning. The first place where the hostility of nature to society is pointed out is perhaps the lair of the Dragon. The Dragon makes his Lair on the remains of an older civilization, guarding the ancient treasures (Beowulf, lines 2232-2235). This is an interesting symbol in that it impresses the idea that nature will reclaim the land when civilization falls, and it strives towards that end. The dragon’s lair also resonates with the description of Heorot, where it is initially doomed to destruction (line 83).
A second scene is presented in Beowulf’s account of his swim-match with Breca. Beowulf describes the swim-match in language which implies struggle or battle. He says the waves were savage and fierce, and a ‘battle-grim’ wind turns against them. Beowulf is dragged down by a ‘deadly foe,’ and he calls the beasts he fights off ‘workers of malice’ (Lee, p 77). This enforces the role of nature as demons and monsters, enemies of man, a contrast which is strengthened by the fact that men are associated in great part with God and holiness.
A third and final place of note is the mere, or lake, in which Grendel and his mother live. The mere is easily identifiable as an ‘underworld’ of sorts, both due to the fact that the monsters live there and because of the eerie flames that appear on the water at night (lines 1365-1366). This is appropriate in that Beowulf’s trip into the mere becomes his heroic decent into the underworld, a characteristic in most quest narratives (from line 1492). In this first case, nature is twisted to resemble Hell, and her minions are the demon Grendel and the sea-dragons of the mere.
Of the embodiments of nature which have been chosen, Grendel is the most prominent. Grendel is the first tormentor of society, that which brings Beowulf to Heorot in the first place, and the first obstacle which Beowulf overcomes. It is initially apparent that Grendel is an outcast, both from society and God (lines 100-110). His demonic nature is touched upon time and again, with his inhuman form and profane lineage key marks on his character.
As an agent of nature, however, Grendel also embodies something which threatens society directly. However, it is possible that while Grendel himself is outcast from society, he signifies a threat which is itself a part of society. "He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall," (lines 166-167). The barred doors to the hall also swung open at his touch when he came to the mead-hall, signifying that Grendel is a foe not easily kept out (lines 171-172). Furthermore, as is pointed out in Gold-Hall and Earth-Dragon, Grendel attacks when man is prideful and lets his guard down (Lee, pp 17-18). It can then be argued that Grendel, and nature in general, is meant to signify not only demons, but human vices as well. Quite blatantly, Grendel is not a foe which you can fight with swords, as he is impervious to bladed weapons (Beowulf, lines 800-803). When Beowulf fights Grendel, it is barehanded. He defeats the beast with shear physical strength, which has often classically been allegorical to moral strength, especially in Christian writings.
The second obstacle to Beowulf and society is Grendel’s mother, another outcast beast. It is interesting to note that the hell-dam came to Heorot seeking revenge (line 1278). When Beowulf fights her, it is on her terms, as he plunges into her watery lair (line 1493). The fight with Grendel’s mother is a harder-fought battle as well. Indeed, Beowulf must use an ancient sword to carry the day, all of this implying that this threat to society is more fatal than the last. In truth, it may be that since she embodies on some level a value that Beowulf’s society stands for, that threat may be the most dangerous yet, and even impossible to overcome alone. It may be this flaw which dooms Beowulf’s society to collapse in the end.
The final agent of nature and threat to society and man is the Dragon. Unlike the previous incarnations, the Dragon himself is not made out to be demonic. Like the others before him, however, the Dragon is seemingly set off by vice. On the one hand, there is theft by the man, and on the other there is the terrible greed which incites the beast’s wrath (lines 2216-2219). It is noteworthy to point out that one man steals from the Dragon’s lair, and the whole of society is tormented by the Dragon (lines 2312-2315). It is also Greed which Beowulf, dieing, foresees as inevitably destroying his society (line 2793).
Additionally, however, the Dragon also symbolizes Death. His lair is built on the ruins of an ancient civilization, of which there are no survivors (lines 2236-2237). Beowulf must also face the dragon alone, just as all men must meet death. It is also a fitting symbol as the dragon is what kills Beowulf, after fighting both Grendel and the hell-dam, and ruling his people (lines 2713-2714). Death is the greatest and final enemy of man.
It has been shown that the figure of nature in Beowulf is summed up in the characters of the Wilderness, Grendel, the Hell-dam, and the Dragon. In each of these pieces, nature is turned to symbolize the unnatural, violent towards men, and that which destroys society. In an epic tale of the origins of a people, nature symbolizes the vices and trials with which they battle.
Works Cited
Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.: New York, NY. 2000
Lee, Alvin A. Gold-Hall and Earth-Dragon: Beowulf as Metaphor. University of Toronto Press, Inc: Toronto, Canada. 1998
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no subject
Date: 2002-12-04 11:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-12-05 09:03 am (UTC)As it is, I needed so much writing on nature, and had little to work with. There are, obviously, a few convincing points to be made in the paper, such as the mere being a symbol for Hell and the Dragon as Death. But those are general symbols that anyone could pick out if they think about it and understand the form of an Epic poem. Additionally, it could be argued that none of these really have ANY bearing on how 'nature' plays a part in Beowulf. The mere, perhaps. The swim-match, maybe. But I think it's quite a stretch pulling the Monsters into the fold, as you may notice by the fact that I dedicated a paragraph in the very beginning to defending my position that these things are Agents of Nature.
I have to say that, done properly and intelligently, analyzing literature can be enjoyable. Finding meaning in Nifer's works, and even just analyzing the inanity of this whole paper, I find to be interesting. As I mentioned before, this paper itself could have had the potential to be an interesting look at symbolism and the structure of Beowulf.
It just wasn't.
no subject
Date: 2002-12-05 09:52 am (UTC)