History of Life on Earth

The Heroic Significance of Christ in The Dream of the Rood...

The Heroic Significance of Christ in The Dream of the Rood Incorporating traditional Anglo Saxon beliefs of heroism with the image of Christ on the cross allows the poet of The Dream of the Rood to effectively communicate the benefits of Christianity to pagan warriors. By comparing characteristics, duties, and treatment of heroes in Beowulf and the Battle of Maldon to the depiction of Christ in The Dream of the Rood, it becomes evident that the image of Christ is altered to mirror that of heroic warriors. Through this melding of heroic beliefs and Christianity, the poet of Rood is able to show how Christ can become the ultimate ring giver or Lord. Dominant characteristics of heroes in Beowulf and The Battle of Maldon revolve†¦show more content†¦The Christ depicted in this passage willingly accepts his battle on the cross and because of this act the poet then goes on to describe Christ as a warrior, strong, and stouthearted. Christ is not portrayed as a meek and humble man resigned to his task as savior and lord. Within this portion of the text, he becomes a bold warrior climbing the cross as if going into battle. At the end of the poem, the narrator looks to Christ and the cross for protection. Furthermore, the primary duty of a hero is to provide his kinsmen with great treasure and weaponry. Beowulf fulfills this duty by stating Behold this treasure #8230; that I have been allowed to leave my people#8230; (Beowulf 91) to Wiglaf after defeating the dragon. The warriors in The Battle of Maldon describe their Lord and hero as a treasure-giver, and also a ring-giver. The warriors in both of these texts reflect on all that their lords or heroes provide for them. It is through this gratification for material wealth that kinsmen feel so indebted to fighting for their lord. Wiglaf illustrates this concept when he remembers the bountiful gifts bestowed upon him (Beowulf 88) and finds that he could not hold back (Beowulf 88) from his lords side. Christ also fulfills this duty of a hero by bestowing many wonderful gifts and treasures upon any man who will follow Him faithfully. The treasures described in the poemShow MoreRelatedAn Assortment Of Heroism : Sir Gawain And The Gre en Knight1171 Words   |  5 PagesSteven Brent Bunn ENG 261-02 3/21/2016 Research Project An Assortment of Heroism Theme is essential to any great work of literature, and while the following are certainly very different tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beowulf and The Dream of the Rood each have particularly strong themes of heroism, though, they each have their own distinct idea of what heroism is, their own flavor one might say. It is partly because of their strong themes and ideas that they are still well-known and readRead MoreAnglo-Saxon Heroic Poetry5673 Words   |  23 Pagesthe Heroic, the sources of which are pre-Christian Germanic myth, history and custom; and the Christian. Heroic, or Epic Poetry belongs to one of these two types and refers to long narrative poems celebrating the great deeds of one or more legendary heroes, in a grand, ceremonious style. In its strict use by literary critics, the terms Heroic Poetry or Epic are applied to a work that meets the following criteria: such a poem must be related in an elevated style, and centered upon a heroic or quasi-divineRead M oreThe Importance Of Heroism In Beowulf1073 Words   |  5 Pagespagan story with Christian overlays or a Christian story with pagan overtones, and these stances have been debated upon for a very long time. Nonetheless, the fact that the writer tries to hide a religious culture underneath another holds great significance. Religion only influences Beowulf because of its importance, its symbolic essentiality and the writer’s aim to a pass a message, creating a grim picture through characterization to his audience. Religious beliefs like Paganism, Christianity, TotemicRead MoreThe King of Kings2050 Words   |  8 PagesIn the Bible, Jesus Christ, the embodiment of the Christian God is described as the â€Å"King of Kings†. Christians since before the dream of Constantine have believed God and Christ constitute a ruler of the universe. Anglo-Saxon society perceived the Christian God in the mold of the pre-Christian Germanic tradition of kingship. The Anglo-Saxon percepti on of God as a king in the Germanic tradition has tremendous significance on late Anglo-Saxon politics. The inclusion of the Christian deity in the leadership

House of Hades free essay sample

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Percy and Annabeth tumbled into a pit leading straight to Tartarus. The other demigods follow Percy’s instruction to meet them at the mortal side of the Doors of Death located in Epirus, Greece. Now, in this next instalment in the Heroes of Olympus, The House of Hades, Percy and Annabeth must cross the most miserable place unimaginable with the help of the Titan Bob, while their demigod friends aboard the Argo II still fights their way through the Mare Nostrum-or as mortals call it-the Mediterranean Sea. Both are standing at crossroads. In about a month, the Roman demigods will march to Camp Half-Blood to begin war, and Gaea will finally rise. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus. Our dear Uncle Rick has done it again. He has created the most gripping tale by far in his Percy Jackson world. We will write a custom essay sample on House of Hades or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The demigods not just have to battle horrifying and terrifying monsters, but also their own true fears – something much worse than having a physical wound. Even though we have met some of the characters in the last series, they still never fail to surprise us in every chapter. Rick carefully developed their personalities and characteristics, such as when Percy Annabeth’s love was challenged as they travel through Tartarus, and also Nico’s shocking revelation. Percy will also experience the consequences of what he has done in the past years that he thought at first was the right thing to do-consequences involving losing Annabeth forever. For the new characters, Rick showed us their different sides and aspects. We may think we really know them, but we will find them walking the different path than they might have expected. Each character was written with care, showing their deepest secrets, and the friendships relationships aboard the Argo II continues to blossom. The House of Hades will leave readers and fans anticipating for the next instalment, The Blood of Olympus, which is set to release next fall 2014.

Sir Gawain And Green Knight Essays (774 words) - Cephalophores

Sir Gawain And Green Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is justifiably an allegory. An allegory is a narrative constructed by representing general concepts (Sin, Despair, and God) as persons. Many characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have features that represent general concepts. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be interpreted allegorically by reviewing the characteristics and features of Gawain, the Green Knight, the Fair Lady, and the events that link the characters together. Some of the allegorical features found in the characters are obvious. The character Sir Gawain has the most obvious allegorical features within the poem. Sir Gawain is more than a knight; he represents "everyman" on a quest. During the late 1300's noble men displayed five classical virtues--brotherly love, good manners, compassion, open-mindedness, and beneficence. One can interpret Gawain's imperfectness as "everyman's sins". This idea becomes clear when Gawain states, "My journey is to judgment surely". Gawain represents "everyman" on a quest because at the end of every quest one receives judgment. Each mistake that Gawain makes represents man's sins. At the end of Sir Gawain's journey to find the Green Knight he is judged by the Green Knight. Gawain's reply to the Green Knight supports the idea of Gawain facing judgment. "Met my master on a mountainside, where he invested in me the honor and the emblem of an imperfect man." In addition, this reply by Gawain suggests that the Green Knight represents God. The Green Knight represents God in many different ways. The first and most obvious feature of God that the Green Knight represents is his judging Sir Gawain. Like God, the Green Knight sets Gawain out on a journey filled with temptations and challenges. The Green Knight tests Gawain's courage, honor, and strength during the three days at the Castle Hautdesert. Each day at the castle Gawain faces a temptation (the Fair Lady) and a challenge (the hunt). During his stay at the castle, Gawain receives three kisses from the Fair Lady. At Gawain's judgment, the Green Knight reveals his knowledge of the incident to Gawain. This is shown when the Green Knight says to Gawain, "You kissed my comely wife...I know well the tale...And the wooing of my wife--it was all my scheme...She made a trial of a man most faultless by far." The Green Knight, much like God, tests mankind's honor and loyalty. Gawain fails his test by committing the sin of adultery, and for his sin he will receive three blows. The three blows that Gawain receives represent all people repenting their sins. Lastly, the Green Knight acts like God by allowing Gawain to live despite his sins of adultery and deception. Gawain not only commits adultery, but he also tries to deceive the Green Knight by wearing the invulnerable green girdle. The girdle makes Gawain invincible and free from the harm of the Green Knight's axe. By wearing the armor, Gawain is cheating himself of God's fate. God may want Gawain to die for his sins in the chapel, but by wearing the green armor Gawain is denying his chosen fate. Despite all of this, the Green Knight lets Sir Gawain exchange the green girdle for his life. Even though the Fair Lady acts as temptation, she is representative of something else. The Fair Lady represents not only "temptation", but the fox as well. Like a fox she is, cunning and deceptive. The Fair Lady uses her slyness and wits to manipulate and seduce Sir Gawain. The fox uses its cunning personality to elude hunters, making for a great hunt. The Fair Lady is much like the fox in the way she is able to cleverly answer each one of Gawain's replies and persuade him into accepting the green girdle. The fox is not a great prize in itself, but the honor that it stands for is priceless. To hunt and kill a fox shows great skills and smarts. It is the ultimate hunt, not because of the prize, but because of the chase. This is the same with the Fair Lady and her striking beauty. She is beautiful and smart, and to woo such a lady is a great accomplishment. The Fair Lady represents both "temptation" and "achievement". The allegorical interpretation of the Fair Lady and Sir Gawain's encounters is that of a man on a quest, having to overcome different temptations and challenges along his way. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is more than an Arthurian Romance, it is also an allegory. It represents man's search for God and the temptations that