The Games We Play

In chapter 5 of Morality Play Nicholas plays the role of an actor for the first time. About his experience, he observes: "I was a different person now, they did not hate me. They knew me for a japer, not a demon. I understood then, as I passed through the people and shook my bells and saw them smile, what all players come to know very well, how quickly shifting are our loves and hates, how they depend on mocks and disguises. With a horned mask and a wooden trident I was their fear of hellfire. Two minutes later, still the same timorous creature as before, with a fool's cap and a white mask, I was their hope of laughter. I was discovering the danger of disguise...A mask confers the terror of freedom, it is very easy to forget who you are."

Reflect on Nicholas' words and your own experience. Is what he says true? How? Why? What is "the terror of freedom"?

For those who discussed Ork....

Discuss the 4th priest's response on pp. 135-136. What's he talking about? Can you connect what the 4th priest says to Beowulf's italicized words on pp. 170-171? How are they related?

For those who talked about Beowulf's encounter with Grendel....

Some of Beowulf's words to Grendel are pretty strange but all can be explained one way or another. Choose some of Beowulf's words to Grendel and elaborate on WHY he says them, what Gardner wants us to understand from them and what WEAKNESS in Grendel is pointed out by them. Which words echo those of the Dragon? Why? What do Beowulf and the dragon have in common? There are no right or wrong answers -- Gardner is intentionally a bit ambiguous.

To those who responded to Grendel's final words....

The common thread seems to be an end to Grendel's pain and suffering. How about the "accident" part of it -- was it an accident? Why does Grendel insist that it was? What is he saying about the way the world works with the last line? Is he making excuses for himself and his behavior? Is there any irony in the ending or is Gardner trying to portray a serious truth about the nature of our existence? Explain.

What's Up with Ork?

Discuss Grendel's encounter with Ork in ch. 9. Why is Grendel confounded and moved by him? Is Gardner mocking religion or advocating it as a necessary antidote to the thinking of the Dragon? What is Ork's great revelation? Is it important to Grendel's development? Why or why not?

Grendel's Final Words

Why does Grendel ask in the last few lines of the book, "Is it joy I feel?" What does his last line mean?

Grendel's Encounter with Beowulf

Reread ch. 12. Why does Beowulf say the things he says to Grendel and why does Grendel respond the way he does?

The Shaper: A Challenge

To follow up on class discussion: Grendel perceives the Shaper as deceitful and clearly his stories about Hrothgar are one-sided, but in what way does the Shaper create something positive despite his "lies"? Why is Grendel so moved by him?

Grendel and Existentialism

There are two important modern philosophies vying for Grendel's heart: nihilism and existentialism. Lurking somewhere in the mix is a more traditional Judeo-Christian/classical philosophy of truth, sacrifice, beauty and love. Here's my brief (very) overview of the first two:

Nihilism - philosophy that denies any basis for objective truth; state of radical skepticism about reality

Existentialism -- the religious varity believes that through God one may find freedom from the tension of existence (caused by the apparent absurdity of existence); the atheistic variety asserts that existence precedes "essence" and we create essence or meaning by making conscious choices -- through sheer will an commitment, one imposes reason and structure on the chaos of existence and gives it meaning; however, making such choices also forces a recognition of the absurdity of existence (or at least our inability to understand it reasonably). Failure to do so results in a sort of passive, "semi-conscious" existence.

So -- using the above or your own common sense -- what's Grendel's problem? Who or what's the cause? Any solutions? What does he believe about life?

Grendel -- a Modern Monster

What do you think of Grendel now?! He clearly has some identity problems and existential angst (more on that in a minute). Before you go too much further you may want to check out the discussion on my friend's blog at www.advancedlitsur.blogspot.com. Look at the posted question about whether people are inherently good or evil. What does Grendel think? Is Grendel evil or simply confused? By what is he confused? Why does he behave the way he does?

Beowulf Movie Review -- National Public Radio

Beowulf Movie Review -- Boston Globe

Click on one of the review titles above to read reviews both positive and negative.

Hrothgar

Is Hrothgar more interesting and effective as a flawed character or as an upright victim of evil in the world?

Hrothgar

Is Hrothgar more interesting as a flawed character or as the upright victim or evil in the world?

Epic Details

Though the plot of the movie is so different from the epic that it's pointless to list them all, what ideas, details, etc. does Zemeckis leave in. For instance, Beowulf's mother speaks in a sort of strange dialect vaguely reminiscent of Anglo-Saxon/Old English (bonus points for anyone who can transcribe exactly what she says -- I'm having trouble picking up on all of it!)

Beowulf: Film vs. Poem

What differences do you notice in the characterization of the Anglo-Saxons, both individual characters, and the people in general?

British Literature Honors

An epic reflects the culture which creates it. What would an epic for today's American culture reflect? What would its lessons be?