Epic of Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is common opinion that Beowulf was written by a Christian poet. This was probably true because at the time when it was written, most of the few people who knew how to read and write were in the clergy. There are various references within the poem to elements of the Christian religion. However, the story is about Pagan people and certain aspects of their culture are even glorified. The ambiguity of Beowulf’s religious content has caused confusion as to what significance religion had in inspiring the author and in what manner the author meant to inspire or influence his audience. I do not think that Beowulf is a Christian allegory because Beowulf had very little in common with the Biblical figure of Jesus Christ. I think that religion was not the primary thematic concern of the writer. Although there are discrepancies between the two styles of thinking, Beowulf seems to praise values which were considered moral and good among all humanity, both Christian and Pagan.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The text of Beowulf clearly shows that at some point in time Biblical allusions were added to it, and suggests that someone learned in Christianity helped shape the story. The initial depiction of Grendel regarded the beast as â€Å"a fiend out of hell,† and claimed, â€Å"†¦he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts.† References to hell, Cain, and â€Å"the Creator†, make it evident that Christian elements were present in the story. More importantly, the reference to â€Å"the Creator† shows that monotheistic theory was incorporated into the text. Grendel’s relationship to this â€Å"Creator† is further elaborated on, in which case the author refers to the latter as â€Å"Eternal Lord†, â€Å"Almighty†, and â€Å"God.† All four of which are common ways to refer to the individual Christian God, and were capitalized as would have been in the Bible.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These allusions to Christian faith could lead a critic to assume that Beowulf is a Christian allegory. Critics who read the poem in this way often call Beowulf a Christ figure because he is a savior to his people. However, if the poem was really meant to be read in this way, I think that Beowulf would have been ultimately triumphant and would have survived his fight with the dragon. I do not claim to be a Biblical scholar but I can not remember any stories from the Bible where Christ did any killing or boasting.

IRAC Assignment Essay

Li will attempt to prove she was the victim of intentional torts by her teacher Mr. Billups. At school, Li was placed in a cage for the day to reenact how Americans reacted to the events of Pearl Harbor. Li will accuse Mr. Billups of intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment. Being placed in a cage for the day will be considered an unreasonable amount of time, and being put in the cage with the other foreign born students from her class will show emotional distress. Negligence Li will attempt to prove the four elements of negligence against Mr. Billups for his previously stated actions. The elements required are duty of care, failure to protect from harm, cause of the harm, and damages, which in this case are psychological and physical. After review of the actions taken by Mr. Billups, it seems Li will be able to show the four elements required for negligence. Li’s Parents Respondeat Superior/Scienter Li’s parents will attempt to attach liability to the school district which employs Mr. Billups, claiming respondeat superior. Li’s parents will claim that Mr. Billups’ inappropriate and harmful actions were performed within the course and scope of his employment at the school, therefore leaving the district which employs him partially responsible or at fault. As Mr. Billups’ employer, the school district had every opportunity to put an end to the gross reenactments of events in American history which have taken place in Mr. Billups’ class even before the most recent incident involving Li. In addition, scienter can be applied by Li’s parents because at the very least, the principal of the school should have known about Mr. Billups’ demeaning antics. Mr. Billups Tort Defenses Mr. Billups will attempt to use tort defenses including assumption of risk, superseding/intervening cause, and contributory negligence. By sending their child to school, Li’s parents assumed the risk of their child participating in educational activities in history class. The school district is partially to blame as well because they must have heard/known  about the practices Mr. Billups uses to teach his students. In addition, Li and the other foreign students contributed to their own negligence by attending Mr. Billups class and agreeing to be put in a cage in class. Scienter Li’s parents, Li herself, and the school district all should have known of the reenactments performed in Mr. Billups class, proving scienter. School District Respondeat Superior The school district which employs Mr. Billups will claim the frolic and detour defense to respondeat superior. Their claim will be that Mr. Billups was acting outside the rules and regulations set forth by the district, and that they could not have possibly seen ahead of time the inappropriate actions Mr. Billups performed in his classroom. Conclusion: The court will use the reasonable person test and likely find for Li and her parents.

scarlet letter study guide - 4403 Words

Reading Guide Questions Chapters I and II Identifying Facts 1. What two necessities, according to Hawthorne. must the founders of a new colony provide immediately? 2. Under whose footsteps was the rose-bush outside the prison supposed to have sprung up? 3. What is the significance of the scarlet letter A which is embroidered on Hester’s gown? Interpreting Meanings 5. What conclusion can you draw from the fact that every new colony must provide a prison and a cemetery at once? 6. How do most of the townspeople regard Hester’s punishment—as too severe, too lenient. or appropriate? 7. 6. After hearing of Hester’s crime and punishment, the stranger vows that her lover’s identity will be known. How†¦show more content†¦Explain your answer. 6. Describing how Hester is able to support herself and her child, Hawthorne says â€Å"She possessed an art that sufficed . . . to supply food for her thriving infant and herself. It was the art—then, as now, almost the only one within a woman’s grasp—of needlework.† What does he mean by â€Å"the only [art] within a woman’s grasp?† 7. Cite some examples of the grim games played by the Puritan children. 4. 2. How does Hawthorne characterize the disciplining of children in the early days of the Boston Colony? 3. Chapter V Identifying Facts 1. What reasons does Hawthorne give for Hester’s remaining in Boston, where she is an outcast? 8. But sometimes, once in many days. or perchance in many months, she felt an eye— a human eye— upon the ignominious brand, that seemed to give a momentary relief, as if half of her agony was shared. The next instant, back it all rushed again for in that brief interval, she had sinned anew. Had Hester sinned alone? In describing the harsh disciplinary practices of the Puritan family, Hawthorne observed that these practices were â€Å"enjoined by scriptural authority.† He is referring to Prov. 13:24: â€Å"He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him takes care to chastise him.† Does Hester follow this practice of not sparing the rod? Do you think that Pearl would have been more obedient and docile if Hester had taken a different approach toShow MoreRelatedEssay on Scarlet Letter Study Guide1628 Words   |  7 Pages11 The Scarlett Letter, Nathanial Hawthorne Chapters I and II 1. What two necessities, according to Hawthorne, must the founders of a new colony provide immediately? - Prison and a cemetery 2. Under whose footsteps was the rose-bush outside the prison supposed to have sprung up? Sainted Anne Hutchinson 3. What kind of spectacle have the townspeople of Boston gathered to witness? The public humiliation of Hester Prynne 4. What is the significance of the scarlet letter A which is embroideredRead MoreScarlet Letter Study Guide Answers3151 Words   |  13 Pagescolony are a cemetery and a prison. 2. The rose bush outside the prison sprung up under the footsteps of the sainted Ann Hutchinson. 3. The town people have gathered to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne. 4. The scarlet letter on her bodice is meant as punishment for her sin. The letter A stands for adultery. 5. Every new colony is quick in building a cemetery and prison because they know that misbehavior and death are inevitable. 6. Many of the town people regard Hester’s punishment as too lenientRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1631 Words   |  7 Pagesdeveloped the theme for his most renowned literary novel, The Scarlet Letter. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne emphasized the impact that societal isolation can have on individuals. Several of the victims inflicted with isolation throughout the novel were ultimately met with their inevitable downfalls. One particular character, Hester Prynne, was selected to undergo a struggle comparable to Hawthorne’s own. Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter centered its characters on a theme of both physical andRead MoreScarlet Letter Analysic- Form, Plot, Tone, Essay607 Words   |  3 PagesScarlet Letter Analysis Form, Structure and Plot: The structure that Hawthorne puts the Scarlet Letter is very tight, and is in essentially three parts, each revolving around the scaffold. The first scaffold scene, Hester confesses her sin of adultery to the crowd in the light of day. The second scaffold scene takes place in the middle of the book at night; it is the climax of the plot. Dimmesdale climbs onto the scaffold, and asks for Hester and Pearl to join him. This is not a confession, as thereRead MoreSummary Of The Scarlet Letter 1329 Words   |  6 PagesMelanie Showers Mrs. Voshell Honors English 10 8 January 2016 Morality in The Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne describes many defining instances of different characters’ morality. Some of the characters’ opinions are very different, but the people of the town have a general morality that leads Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale to deal with their sins differently in public, than in private. First, Hester’s morality, is not very defined at the beginning. She seems as though sheRead MoreArthur Dimmesdales Guilt and Hypocrisy Essay829 Words   |  4 Pagesgripping tale, The Scarlet Letter, a revered Puritan minister suffers from cowardly guilt and hypocrisy after he commits adultery in this novel staged in the seventeenth century. Arthur Dimmesdale, who hides himself in the shame of his lover, Hester Prynne, protects his reputation among the Puritan people. The scaffold, a public symbol of disgrace, contrasts with the pastor’s silent sin of adultery. When Hester became a symbol of sin among the people and wore the scarlet letter as punishment, DimmesdaleRead MoreThats What1831 Words   |  6 Pagesprovide a prison and a cemetery in The Scarlet Letter draws the conclusion that even in a Utopia, there will always be sin, and sin leads ... Scarlet letter - Pastebin.com pastebin.com/i7QvSd6w Sep 23, 2012 - What conclusion can you draw from the fact that every new colony ... Too lenient and that she should be hanged ... What clues to the identity of the stranger does Hawthorn provide in the first three paragraphs of Chapter III? Scarlet Letter Study Guide - College Essay - Canoness www.studymodeRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter1456 Words   |  6 Pagesa Christ figure in The Scarlet Letter. She displays self-sacrifice, saintlike features, and exemplifies some biblical teachings throughout the book. The first, which is self-sacrifice, is shown when Hester is standing on the scaffold in front of the whole town and will not uncover the other participant in the adultery. Reverend Wilson questions her of this man that helped commit this crime, â€Å"Speak out thy name! That, and thy repentance, may avail to take the scarlet letter off thy breast† (60), withRead MoreIntense Character Transformations in The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne965 Words   |  4 PagesIn The Scarlet Letter, readers witness Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale undergo intense character transformations as a direct result of their isolation from society. The isolation that the two characters experience changes them both into different people—Hester for the better and Dimmesdale for the worse. It is revealed that the reason for their isolation is that Hester and Dimmesdale had an affair, and Hester later gave birth to their child, Pearl. Hester never exposes Dimmesdale as Pearl’s fatherRead MoreAnalysis of Sin in The Scarlet Letter1393 Words   |  6 Pagesuniversally. The range of acts and thoughts covered by sin is vast; Hawthorne critically explores the strict, inflexible Puritanical approach to sin and its implication for individuals and society. Hawthorne investigates the intent behind sin in The Scarlet Letter using Dimmesdale and Chillingworth in order to criticize the Puritan Code and to demonstrate the ramifications intent can have on the sinner’s ability to earn forgiveness and gain redemption. Dimmesdale’s and Hester’s sin of adultery serves