Beowulf And The Fiend Grendel example essay topic

Medieval Myths By: Norma Lorre Goodrich Published by: The Penguin Group, 1961 Mythology Book Report By: Claudia YaegerMr. Clark C.P. English Due October 1, 2001 2.) The Types of stories found in this book are Medieval Stories. They contain Kings, Queens, and Knights, wars and battles, dragons, and beautiful maidens. 3.) One of the myths that I enjoyed was the one about Beowulf, from Scandinavian Mythology, entitled: Beowulf And The Fiend Grendel. This story is about a Danish Kingdom that was ruled by a King, named Hrothgar. Hrothgar was a great King, admired by people everywhere.

One day Hrothgar decided to build a hall to which no other was greater, and named this hall Heorot. Heorot was made of gold and fine jewels, and people from many kingdoms traveled to see it. Hrothgar and his Queen Wealhtheow would sit inside Heorot and give away gifts to the people that came to visit. The Noble Earls (Danish Warriors) would also sleep in the great hall at night. All was well until an Ogre named Grendel, a fiend from hell, and a Satan who ruled over the swamps, went inside Heorot and killed the earls while they slept. No one found them until morning and this happened many times afterward.

Soon Heorot was seldom occupied, and no one came to visit, for everyone feared the ogre Grendel would devour them as he did the others. The news of Grendel traveled to many kingdoms, and soon it reached the Geats from across the sea. King Hygelac, the king of the Geats, heard this news, and soon Beowulf heard it. Beowulf was the strongest, and boldest man in the Great Kingdom. He was also the son of Ecgtheow, a great war hero. When he heard this news he was ready to help the Danes.

At first Hygelac, and the wise elder men didn't want Beowulf to go, because they feared he wouldn't return, but then yielded. Beowulf then chose 15 warriors, with the help of Hygelac and the wise elder men, to go with him on his journey to defeat Grendel. Upon their arrival, the Geats were greeted by an earl of Hrothgar. The earl asked them who they were, why they were dressed for war, and if they knew the password, and then noticed Beowulf. He was in shock for he had never seen a warrior like this one, and was sure that he was a hero. When Beowulf explained who they were, and why they were there, the earl quickly asked them to follow him to Heorot Hall.

When faced with the King Hrothgar, Beowulf again explained their reason for being there, and Hrothgar was filled with joy. He arranged for a meal in the Hall for all the warriors, and they drank and were merry. During the meal Beowulf said that Grendel would have never went against the hall in the first place had their warriors been as great as they said. Grendel knew he could kill everyone of them and that's why he continued to haunt Heorot Hall.

Beowulf told them that he was going to give Grendel three things that night: a fighting heart, his dauntless will, and his great strength. With that, he was wished good luck and Beowulf and the 15 warriors went to bed in the hall. That night all the warriors slept except Beowulf. When Grendel entered the Hall he laughed.

Beowulf watched across the Hall as Grendel Pounced on a warrior closest to him and devoured him. Then without warning, Grendel leaped over to Beowulf, but Beowulf's arm shot out, and he caught the ogre's arm and started to bend it back. They fought and soon the other earls tried to help by hit him with their swords, only to realize that it didn't leave so much as a scratch. Beowulf still had the ogre's arm and then with a snap, he broke it right off. Grendel shrieked and staggered off to die. Beowulf then hung Grendel's arm from the ceiling and they went to bed.

In the morning, to the King's astonishment, the warriors were alive, all except one, and Grendel's arm was hanging from the ceiling. The Danes were overjoyed, and Hrothgar rewarded Beowulf and his men very handsomely. That night, when the Geats had left, the hall was again attacked, only this time by Grendel's mother. In the morning the king found his earls dead, and the arm of Grendel missing. They called Beowulf back and pleaded with him to destroy this ogress as well. He agreed to do so, and they set out to find her.

They followed a trail until they came to a cliff where a mail hood of Hrothgar's vassal was. Beowulf prepared himself for war, and then bid farewell to his fellow warriors. He jumped in the water and swam nearly to the bottom, where he was met by the ogress. She grabbed him and brought him to her layer where they fought. Soon the ogress was killed. Beowulf then saw that the layer was filled with treasure that the ogress and her son had kept, and Grendel's body lying in the corner.

He then cut off Grendel's head to bring to the King. Meanwhile on shore the King and earls all thought that Beowulf had failed, and started their journey back. His fellow warriors stayed and when they saw him approach the shore with the head of Grendel they were relieved. The King had his men bring the treasure up to shore, and it was given to Beowulf and the remaining 14 warriors. The Second story that I enjoyed was Berta Of Hungary, from French Mythology. This is the story of a Hungarian Princess that is to marry Pepin.

Pepin was a twenty-year-old prince whose mother and father had died leaving him to rule France. He married a noble lady who after many tries could not bare him any children. When she passed away, Pepin knew he had to find another bride, but the question was, where? One of his nobles spoke about a beautiful maiden that was the princess of Hungary. Pepin said that he would like for her to be his bride and called upon her.

She readily agreed to marry him, and her mother sent with her three servants. These servants consisted of an old woman named Margiste, her daughter Aliste, and their cousin Tibert. They promised to serve her faithfully. Margiste promised her daughter that she would marry a nobleman of France, for she was as beautiful as Berta, in fact, they looked very much alike.

Berta cried at the thought of leaving her mother, for they were very close, but they departed and promised to see each other soon. When they reached the castle and Pepin saw this maiden with golden blonde curls and white beautiful skin he fell in love with her. Knights from all over the kingdom tried to get a closer look at this beautiful maiden. Pepin and Berta were married in August. When the wedding night approached, Margiste told Berta that Pepin was planning to kill her. Berta wept but the old woman consoled her and said that after the bishops blessed her bridal bed, she would put Aliste in her place to be killed instead.

What Margiste was really doing was making her daughter the Queen of France. Margiste laughed, because while Berta was reading a book, her husband was making love to Aliste. In the morning Berta went into the room and stabbed Aliste in the thigh, after Margiste had told her to do so. When Aliste screamed, Margiste told Pepin that her daughter had stabbed his beautiful bride and she should be destroyed. Tibert and three sergeants were sent to take her into the woods and kill her. She was dressed in a black cloak to conceal her beauty.

When they reached the place where they were to behead her, the Morals saw that their criminal was a fragile young girl. As Tibert was about to kill her, they yelled to him asking him if he had no mercy. They then let her go free, while holding Tibert down. To save themselves they killed a pig, took out its heart and brought it home with them, saying it was hers.

Berta wandered on until she came to a hermit who told her to go to the house of Simon and Constance. She also vowed to herself that she would never tell anyone who she was. Meanwhile, back in the castle, Pepin lived happily with Aliste, and his two sons, Rainfrois, and Heudris. Aliste and her mother were collecting taxes on various things, and no one liked Aliste, whom everyone knew as Berta. During this, Berta's brother and sister died. Then Berta's mother had a bad dream and thought it meant danger toward Berta.

So she set out to visit Berta, and King F loire, Berta's father, hoped that she would bring back one Aliste's, whom they also thought was Berta, sons to be the heir to the Hungarian kingdom. On the way, Queen Blancheflor got quite a few complaints about her daughter. When she arrived at the kingdom Pepin was overjoyed, but Margiste, Aliste, and Tibert weren't. They came up with a plan that Aliste fell ill because she was too overjoyed at her mother's arrival.

The Queen was determined to see her daughter, so she sat in a room with Margiste, and they started to talk. The Queen asked Margiste where her daughter was and she told her that she just died one day. For two days Blancheflor sat outside the chamber door, and suddenly lost her temper. She started to talk to her daughter, and Aliste answered her in a false voice. She ended by asking Blancheflor to let her rest, and then the Queen knew it was not her daughter. She said if it was her daughter, then she would have let her come in and give her a kiss.

She barged in the room and took the covers off of Aliste. She saw Aliste's small feet, which were half the size of Berta's, and cried out that it wasn't her daughter. Pepin was furious, and sentenced Margiste and Tibert to death. He let Aliste live, only because she bore his children. He then set out a search for his real wife. While searching, he came across Berta and tried to get her to go with him but she refused.

She then said that she was the Queen of France and that he had better leave her alone. He was bewildered, and went to Simon and Constance to ask them if this was true. When they asked her, she answered them no, saying she only said that to get him away from her. They didn't believe he, and came to the conclusion that she made a vow to herself that she would tell no one. Pepin then ordered for Berta's parents to go seek the young woman. When they arrived and saw Berta they cried out for her and she ran to them and kissed them.

Berta then went back to the castle with Pepin, taking Simon, Constance, and their children with them. Berta's first child was a girl who later married Sir Mil on d' Aiglet, and had a son, the great Rollanz. Their second child was a boy who was named Carles. He was the great Charlemagne. The Third story that I enjoyed was that of Rollanz.

This was from The Song of Roland, which was also from French Mythology. This Story takes place in Spain, where King Carles, Charlemagne, is at war with the Sarrazins. The King worries for his rear guards, for amongst them, is Rollanz, his nephew, and 12 noble knights. The rear guards are following the king a good distance behind when they hear the trumpets of the enemies sound. Oliviers, Rollanz's friend, asks him if he is going to sound the horn for Charlemagne to come back and help them fight. Rollanz refuses to do so, because he would lose his name otherwise.

He is prepared to fight them without help. They fought as hard as they could, even though they were greatly outnumbered. They kept fighting until they saw that they would lose, and Rollanz then knew he was to die in this battle. Soon after he realized this, he sounded the horn.

Carles heard the horn and cried to the warriors that they had to go back. Guenes, the traitor who assigned Rollanz to the rear guard, and knew he would die, said to Carles that he was probably playing a trick. When they heard the sound again Carles said to go back, and ordered Guenes to be held prisoner for he was a felon. When Rollanz returned to the battle he saw that they were greatly defeated, and watched Oliviers go down. He ran to his side and, pardoned him before god, as Oliviers died.

It was soon down to three warriors, Rollanz being one of them and he still fought. Soon Rollanz was falling. As the last of the enemies fled he staggered up to a tree facing Spain, and died. When Charlemagne arrived at the sight and saw this he was furious.

He went back and charged the Sarrazins, and France won the battle. When they went back to find Rollanz's body, Carles said that he wanted to do it alone. He told them how Rollanz told him that if he ever died in a strange land Carles would know where to find him. He said that he would be lying farther into the enemy territory than any other man, with his face facing the foes.

When Charlemagne found his nephew under the tree, this is exactly how he found him. What I liked about these stories was how each of the main characters had courage and faith in what they believed. Beowulf knew that he could conquer Grendel in his heart, and with his courage he did it. Berta knew that if Pepin really loved her and wanted to find her that he would.

She kept to herself, and was kind to everyone that it was obvious that she was royalty. In the last story, Rollanz shows his courage by not giving up. He knew that they would lose the battle anyway, but he was willing to die trying. Another thing I liked was how honesty, and loyalty played a big part in these stories. Like how Berta made a vow to herself that she would tell no one who she was, and when given the chance to go back with Pepin, she chose to keep loyal to her vow.

These stories were also easy to follow and understand which is another reason why I liked them. From these stories I learned that to live a good life, one needs to be, loving, loyal, courageous, and most of all honest. If you are willing to take risks for others, and are giving, you will have succeeded in life. 4.) I disliked the Scandinavian myth Beowulf's Barrow On the Headlands Of Hronesnesse. This story started when a man decided to go to a dragons layer and steal some of its treasure. When the dragon woke up, and found his golden goblet was missing, he was furious.

He went to the town and set everything on fire, killing everyone. When daylight came it was too late for anyone to do anything, the Geatish kingdom had burned to the ground, including the hall and the Geatish throne. Beowulf was now a King, and an old man. When hearing this news he decided that this was going to be his last battle, and that he was going to kill this dragon. He put together a small group of warriors and together they set out for the dragon's home.

When they reached the cliff, Beowulf said to the others that they were his witnesses, that he was going to do this on his own. When he lowered himself into the dragon's layer, he was prepared to fight. As he lifted up his sword to strike, the dragon breathed out fire, melting his noble sword. When this happened, Beowulf knew that this was where he was to die. He fought the dragon off as best as he could but still, was weaker and weaker.

The warriors that Beowulf had brought with him got scared, and decided to hide. All but Wiglaf, who stood tall and was ready to fight with his king. With him standing at his side, Beowulf got more strength, and gave the dragon one last blow, and killed him. The quest was done, but Beowulf knew that he would not make it out of that layer alive. He then asked Wiglaf if he would take all the jewels, and gold from the layer, and give it to the people. Then he asked them to build him a barrow, so that he might be seen from many miles away.

After these requests, Beowulf then bowed his head and died. The second story that I disliked was the story of Tannhauser. Tannhauser was a knight from German Mythology. The story is entitled The German Knight. This story starts out when a German Knight is climbing a mountain, and stumbles upon a cave inside. As he goes further into the cave he can hear many noises, that sound somewhat like murmurs, and soon comes to a swinging door.

As he enters this passageway all is silent. A little while later the knight hollers into the darkness, and receives an answer. He is asked who he is and what his purpose was for being there. After he gives his answer he is told to wait until the Queen comes.

After waiting for a short while he then realizes that he is surrounded by many people, all whom which ask him the same two questions. Then he is taken through a various number of rooms, each which is more beautiful than the one before, until he reaches the room where the Queen sits. She too asks him the same two questions as everyone else. After they talk, the Queen tells him to take one of the maidens of his choice.

Then he is told that he can stay for eight days. If he chooses to stay longer, he has to stay for 30 days, no less. If again he wishes to stay longer, he has to stay for 330 days, no less. After these three trials, if the knight still wishes to stay, he has to stay forever. So the knight decides to stay for the eight days, then the 30, then the 330. Soon he started to think about God, and of all the sin he has committed.

He thought about how the whole time he was in the cave, he never thought of God. So he left, in search of the priest to beg for a pardon against his sins. When he reaches the priest, and asks for forgiveness, he is told to seek out the Pope. After the knight tells the Pope of all he has done, he is told that he cannot be pardoned unless he proves otherwise.

So the knight tries to stay faithful in hopes to be pardoned, when one day a man seeks him out and tells him that the Pope is after him. He is told that the Pope will not Pardon him, but arrest him for all he has done. With this the knight fled for his life. He returned to the cave and gave a message to the Sheepherders. He told them that if anyone inquired about a knight that had fled from the towns for his own sins that they were to say they saw him.

They were to say that he returned to the cave, and said if the Pope could decide that he couldn't keep his soul then he surely would not decide that he couldn't keep his own body. Meanwhile, back in the town, the Pope indeed had been searching for the knight, but not to arrest him. He wanted to grant the knight his pardon, for he had well thought out the matter, and figured he deserved it. When he was told that the knight fled for his life he sent out a search party. When they reached the mountain where the sheepherders stood and asked him if he saw such a knight, he answered to the knights request.

Upon hearing these words the Pope felt terrible, and he thought that it was all his fault. He then sealed up the cave entrance in fear that someone else might get sucked into its ways. No one ever heard from the German Knight ever again. The story that I disliked the most was Prince Igor, a Russian Myth. This story was about a war that was going on between two nations.

Prince Igor and his brother were on the same side against the Qumana. After night and day of fighting, Prince Igor and his warriors were captured and put in camps. Prince Igor's wife wept and prayed for his return, and Igor's friends told him to escape back to his homeland. After many people told him to do this, Igor then escaped to the sea, swam across it to shore, and was safe. What I disliked about these stories was that they all had ironic endings. In the first one, Beowulf's Barrow On The Headlands Of Hronesnesse, I didn't like how Beowulf died in the end.

To improve it, I think Beowulf should have survived. By dying, he only proved that heroes can be weak and die just like everybody else, and that sort of made him look weak, and less heroic. I didn't like Tannhauser and Prince Igor for the same reason; they were too hard to follow. Tannhauser was very confusing in the beginning, and toward the end was a little clearer, but Prince Igor, as you can tell by the amount I wrote on it, was very hard to follow. Even after reading it more than once, I still didn't get much out of it. To improve these stories, especially Prince Igor, I think that the author should try to make it easier for the reader to understand what he is writing.

I also didn't like how in I also didn't like how, in Prince Igor, the author concentrated more on the battlefield and the surroundings, than on the characters. To improve this I think that he / she should have written a little more about the prince and his brother. 5.) The story that might be fun as a movie or play is Peredur, Son of York, from Wales Mythology. It would be fun to do because of the kind of character Peredur is. Before leaving his mother, he is an adolescent child who doesn't know much about the world around him.

He is in a way, very gullible, innocent, and will listen to whatever anyone tells him. For the main characters, I would cast Peredur, Kay, Owe in, and King Arthur. The setting that I would use would be France instead of Wales, and I would have most of it take place e in the forest as it is in the original. It will start out in the spring and end in the fall, early winter.

It would be more of a drama, because with it being in medieval times, there are a lot of people falling in love, and people dying. Another reason for it being a drama is because, Peredur is more on a quest to become a knight on Arthur's court, and he has to fight certain battles, making it more of a serious matter, rather than comedy. The thing that would be most difficult about making this a production is the women in his life. In each story Peredur falls in love with another, or promises her his love. It would be hard to stick to the facts if you had to cut out all these women in his life just because he has made the same promise to each one. It would be very easy to do as a TV series though, because they have their characters fall in love with different people all the time.