Thursday, September 25, 2008

Recreating Beowulf

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Brothers,

You have three options so as to guarantee the peaceful fate of this Viking-land we call Central Catholic. Should you choose to accept one or the other, know that the task is of epic proportions; the destiny of Oakland rests on your shoulders. You must choose to live despite the reality of your own mortality--by doing so, you are worthy of the highest praise and the greatest of elegiac sympathies. The surmountable obstacles are as follows:

OPTION ONE: Choose any passage of at least 20 lines from the epic Beowulf and recreate it, using your own words, your own, modern-day idiom to spice things up. Be sure to type in the original, line-for-line, before transliterating it into your own dialect.

OPTION TWO: Imitate the alliterative style of at least 20 lines from the epic Beowulf and recreate the passage using your own subject matter. Be sure to type the original, line-for-line, before imitating it with your own subject matter in place of the original.

OPTION THREE: Choose any passage of at least 20 lines from the epic Beowulf and create a "spin-off" passage in which your write 20 lines of your own verse that extend the story as you see fit. Be sure to type the original, line-for-line, before spinning-off of it into a fiction of your own (using, of course, characters and themes from the poem itself).

This is due TUESDAY, September 30, 2008 by class time. Remember to head your submissions with MLA format and indicate the lines you are using for the chosen option above:

Your Name
My Name
ENG 141 / British Lit
Due Date




A Centered Title
(line numbers from poem)

In peace,
BRobPeachFSC

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+++
Below is a link to a few student examples from last year's class:
or

17 comments:

Rob Peach said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rob Peach said...

Joe Rabel
Bro. Peach
Eng 141/ British Lit
Tuesday, September 30, 2008

From Beowulf
Lines 53-76

Then it fell to Beow to keep the forts.
He was well regarded and ruled the Danes
For a long time after his father took leave
of his life on earth. And then his heir,
the great Halfdane, held sway
for as long as he lived, their elder and warlord.
He was four times a father, this fighter prince:
one by one they entered the world,
Heorogar, Hrothgar, the good Halga,
and a daughter, I have heard, who was Onela’s queen,
a balm in bed to the battle-sacred Swede.
The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.
Friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks,
Young followers, a force that grew
to be a might army. So his mind turned
To hall-building: he handed down orders
For men to work on a great mead-hall
Meant to be a wonder of the world forever;
It would be his throne-room and there he would dispense
his God-given goods to young and old
but not the common land or peoples lives.
Far and wide through the world, I have heard,
Orders for work to adorn that wallstead
were set to many peoples.

(option 1)
In my own words

Then the fort fell to Beowulf.
He was known as the king of the Danes
for well long after the death of his father.
He was the heir and stayed the king as long as he lived
He was a father of four
Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, and his one daughter
His daughter ended up marrying
and became the queen of Sweden
Hrothgar was favored in the fortunes of war
Many soldiers aided him and grew his forces to an army
He wanted a celebration hall for recognition that will last forever
He wanted the hall to be his throne-room
Many people were sent to work on the hall because of the kings orders.
Posted by Joe R. at 6:33 PM 0 comments



Sam Miclot
Bro.Robert Peach
Eng.141/Brit Lit
9/30/08
Pg.66(Lines 1543-1569)

1543 The sure-footed fighter felt daunted,
the strongest of warriors stumbled and fell.
So she pounced upon him and pulled out
a broad, whetted knife: now she would avenge
her only child. But the mesh of chain-mail
on Beowulf's shoulder shielded his life,
turned the edge and tip of the blade.
The son of Ecgtheow would have surely perished
and the Geats lost their warrior under the wide earth
had the strong links and locks of his war-gear
not helped to save him: holy God
decided the victory. It was easy for the Lord,
the Ruler of Heaven, to redress the balance
once Beowulf got back up on his feet.
Then he saw a blade that boded well,
a sword in her armory, and ancient heirloom
from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon,
one that any warrior would envy,
but so huge and heavy of itself
only Beowulf could wield it in battle.
So the Shieldings' hero, hard-pressed and enraged,
took a firm hold of the hilt and swung
the blade in an arc, a resolute blow
that bit deep into her neck-bone
and severed it entirely, toppling the doomed
house of her flesh; she fell to the floor.
1569 The sword dripped blood, the swordsman was elated.


"The Center of Creativity"

The sure-hoofed Hiphopapotamus felt disheartened,
the fiercest beast in the jungle stumbled and collapsed.
The horrible, female Rhymeoceros had taken his companion,
the Antbeater and given him a rappendectomy.
The Hiphophippo had come to avenge his amigo’s flow.
The Rhymeoceros tried to thrust her colossal horn into the flesh of the Hippo,
the attempt to penetrate the impenetrable was unsuccessful.
He should have been finished, demolished, a bloody mess.
The fight was was decided she had won,
Just wait a tick, he was not finished, he was a true hippo and never gave up.
Out of his hippo eye he spotted a golden horn,
a ancient heirloom, passed down from her ancestors.
It belonged to a RhymeO not a Hiphopapotamus.
He could not use this is battle it was far too heavy,
but again he remembered, he was a true hippo and never gave up.
He hurled it right at the rhino
It was a direct blow, deep into her head.
Her cranium split right down the center and ideas flew out.
The horn hit her directly in the brain,
directly in creativity itself,
because it is the center of life.
The Center of Creativity.

Rob Peach said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rob Peach said...

Branford Phillips
Bro. Peach
Eng. 141/British Lit.
9/30/08


Lines 164-183
So Grendel waged his lonely war, inflicting constant cruelties on the people, atrocious hurt. He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall after dark, but the throne itself, the treasure seat he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord’s outcast. These were hard times, heartbreaking for the prince of the Sheildings; powerful counselors, the highest in the land, would lend advice, plotting how best the bold defenders might resist and beat off sudden attacks. Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed offerings to idols, swore oaths that the killer of souls might come to their aid and save the people. That was their way, their heathenish hope; deep in their hearts they remembered hell. The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them.

"Grendel’s Nuisance"

Grendel, being a demon and everything, decides to attack people for no reason.
He took over Heorot, running about the the halls and what not, and killing people in the night,
But the throne however, he couldn’t get to it, because God was all like “No!”
Times were tough; the prince was very upset at the state of things, obviously.
The highest counselors gave their plans to the defenders on how to protect themselves from
sneak attacks. Yeah, a lot good those did.
Some warriors got desperate and decided to go to pagan shrines.
There, they vowed themselves to idols, offered up sacrifices to gods they didn’t even believe in
, which, in a sense, makes them heathens, simply because they were afraid and didn’t know what
to do, which is understandable, but that is no reason to lose faith, you know?
But still, most people would seek some kind of aid when a big, scary monster shows up, and
drags people away, regardless of who it is, not to mention, kills them.
But for those who believed in the Christian faith and in God the father Almighty, their faith
would have saved them. When the time to test your faith comes along, it becomes quite clear,
who believes and who doesn’t. It is human nature, it is inevitable for some people
to just say they believe and not practice the faith truly.
But, people are free to believe in what they want to believe in these days.
God is the Lord, the maker of the world and he judges people both good and bad,
and for those people who chose not to believe in him, they don’t receive the grace he offers.

Rob Peach said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rob Peach said...

J. Harry Farina
Bro. Robert Peach, FSC
Eng. 141/British Lit.
9/30/08




"Original"
(Pg. 60,61 Lines 1279-1299)

She came to Herrot. There inside the hall,
Danes lay asleep, earls who would soon endure
a great reversal, once Grendal's mother
attacked and entered. Her onslaught was less
only by as much as an amazon warrior's
strength is less than an armed man's
when the hefted sword, its hammerred edge
and gleaming blade slathered in blood,
razes the sturdy boar-ridge off a helmet.
Then in the hall, hard-honed swords
were grabbed from the bench, many a broad shield
lifted and braced; there was little thought of helmets
or woven mail when they woke in terror.
The hell-dam was in panic, desperate to get out,
in mortal terror the moment she was found.
She had pounced and taken one of the retainers
in a tight hold, then headed for the fen.
To Hrothgar, this man was the most beloved of the friends he trusted between the two seas.
She had done away with a great warrior, ambushed him at rest.


"My Version"

So she came to Pistolvania, where the apes crawl.
There inside the hall, vikings lay asleep, govenors who would soon endure
a great reversal once Br. Raygendall's mother
attacked and entered. Her onslaught was less
only by as much as an angry Br. Muffly's
strength is less than an armed man's
when the hefted, it's hammerred edge and gleaming blade slathered in blood,
destroys the sturdy horns off a helmet.
Then in the hall, swords were grabbed from the bench and so the shields,
lifted and braced, they thought little of the helmets, they awoke in terror.
The she-devil was in panic, she had to get out,
her life depended on it, if she was caught she would be killed.
She had jumped and taken one of the servants in a tight hold, then headed for the swamp.
To King Harockman, this was the most beloved of the friends he trusted in all the world.
The ever so hated monster, Sniderell had done away with a great viking, took him while he was sleeping.

Rob Peach said...

Devon Mancini
Bro. Peach
Eng 141/Brit Lit
9/30


Lines 1550-1570

The son of Ecgtheow would have surely perished
and the Geats lost their warrior under the wide earth
had the strong links and locks of his war-gear
not helped to save him: holy God
decided the victory. It was easy for the Lord, the Ruler of Heaven, to redress the balance
once Beowulf got back up on his feet
Then he saw a blade that boded well, a sword in her armory, and ancient heirloom
from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon,
one that any warrior would envy,
but so huge and heavy of itself
only Beowulf could wield it in a battle.
So the Shieldings' hero hard-pressed and enraged,
took a frim hold of the hilt and swung
the blade in an arc, a resolute blow
that bit deep into her neck-bone
and severed it entirely, toppling the doomed
house of her flesh; she fell to the floor.
The sword dripped blood, the swordsman was elated.
A light appeared and the place brightened

"My version"

The son of Ecgtheow would have been murdered by Grendel's mother
if it was not for his sword-proof vest.
His life was not yet to be taken, as God was on his side.
Once Beowulf regained his stance,
he found mounted on the wall
an ancient sword from the giants,
one any great warrior would kill to have.
Although it was to massive for any other to hold,
it was a weapon only he was worthy to wield.
So the brave warrior that everyone envied
took the massive blade in the grasp of his fury,
swung it high over his head
and with a loud roar brought it down
square in the center of the she-devil's head,
cutting the b***h in two pieces.
As both halves of the dreaded enemies mother fell to the floor,
Beowulf stood and let out a huge heroic roar.
He was splattered with blood but still
the day seemed a little less dark.

Rob Peach said...

James McDonough
Brother Peach
Eng 141/British Lit
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Original Version
(Lines 500-606)
“Unferth, Ecglaf's son,
who sat at the feet
of the king of the Danes,
spoke, unloosing a battle-rune
(The bravery of Beowulf
was a vexation to him
because he envied any man
on this middle-earth who had
more glory than himself):
"’Are you that Beowulf
who struggled with Brecca
in the broad sea
in a swimming contest?
The one who, out of pride,
risked his life in the deep water
though both friends and enemies
told you it was too dangerous?
Are you the one who hugged
the sea, gliding through the boiling
waves of the winter's swell?
You and Brecca toiled
seven nights in the sea,
and he, with more strength,
overcame you. And
in the morning the waves
bore him to the Heathrames
from whence he went home
to the Brondings, beloved of them,
to his people and mead hall.
Brecca fulfilled all his boast.
Because of this, though you have
everywhere withstood the battle storm,
I don't expect much from you
if you dare await
Grendel in the night."

Beowulf spoke:
"Well, my friend Unferth, you
have said a good many things
about Brecca and that trip,
drunk on beer as you are.
Truth to tell, I had more strength
but also more hardships in the waves.
He and I were both boys
and boasted out of our youth
that we two would risk
our lives in the sea.
And so we did.
With naked swords in hand,
to ward off whales,
we swam. Brecca could not
out-swim me, nor could I
out-distance him. And thus
we were, for five nights.
It was cold weather and
the waves surged, driving us
apart, and the North wind came
like a battle in the night.
Fierce were the waves
and the anger of the sea fish
stirred. My coat of mail,
adorned in gold
and locked hard by hand,
helped against those foes.
A hostile thing drew me
to the bottom in its grim grip,
but it was granted to me
to reach it with my sword's
point. The battle storm
destroyed that mighty
sea beast through my hand.
And on and on evil
things threatened me.
I served them with my sword
as it was right to do.
Those wicked things
had no joy of the feast,
did not sit at the sea's
bottom eating my bones.
When the morning came
my sword had put
many to sleep, and even today
in that fiord they don't
hinder seafarers. Light
shone from the East,
that bright beacon of God,
and the seas subsided.
I saw cliffs, the windy
walls of the sea.
Fate often saves
an undoomed man if
his courage holds.
Anyway, with my sword
I slew nine sea monsters.
Nor have I heard tell
of a harder fight
or a more distressed man
ever to go in the sea.
I survived the grasp
of hostiles, and the sea
bore me, the surging water,
weary, into the land of the Finns.
I have not heard
anything about you
surviving such battles,
such terrors of the sword.
Neither Brecca nor you have
performed such deeds in
war sport or with shining swords.
Yet I don't boast about it.
But you, your own brother's
murderer, shall be damned
and burn in Hell no matter
how strong your wit is.
I say to you truly,
son of Ecglaf, that wretch
Grendel would never have done
such horrors, such humiliations
on you chief, if you were so
fierce as you suppose.
Grendel has found
he need not fear feud,
any sword storm,
from your people.
He takes his toll,
showing no mercy
to the Danish folk.
He enjoys himself,
killing and feasting,
and expects no fight
from the Danes.
But I shall offer him
the battle of a Geat in
strength and courage.
When I get done with him,
anyone who wishes may
happily go into the mead hall
as morning shines
on the children of men.
On that day the sun
will be clothed in radiance
as it shines from the South!’"

(My Spin-off)


The Secret of Unferth

At this, the men raised their voices in content
And the world seemed to be at peace within the kingdom of Geat.
But hark, the speech of the bold Beowulf had yet but summoned
All anger that the envious son of Ecglaf held.
He spoke, “My heart be still as the mighty Beowulf
Grace my ears with his almighty words of such thunder and heroism!”
But rest, could the omnipotent warrior have his well confided knowledge
Be but the simplest form of rumor?
Why, yes! I believe so! For told is my tale uncertainly to such a man
Who regards his opinion as above and prestige from those who surround him.
Yay, I proclaim, that my kin is dead by the hand of my own,
But of different consequence, I continue.
To deem the penalty of death to the crime of
Violating the purest of youth is not, NOT to be left to the Gods,
But to the man whose brother’s secret has been confided.
I break this solemn vow of privacy, not to shame our “honored” guest
But to prove to him that the selection of one’s battles
May not be chosen by himself but by the hand of destiny,
One whose great constituency never consistently contributes that of kindness.
Mine own battle here was fought with sacrifice and contemplation,
But within myself, as I struggled to resolve the burning question,
Do I heed my brother’s will?
Do I take mine own kin’s life to end his guilt and misery?
And now, after such a tale, I lay a question upon you, ‘Oh Great of Greatness’
Has the uncertainty of a battle and whose loyalty you choose ever confronted you,
And without your precious moral compass to direct you, as it has no use to weild?”
And by this closing remark, the future king
Sat, gaping at the man, unable to answer or even comprehend any of Unferth’s pronouncement.
And so, Unferth staggered to a stance, near empty mug in his hand, and bowed unto
A silent audience.

Rob Peach said...

Zach Carlino
Bro. Robert Peach FSC.
ENG 141/ British Lit
September 29, 2008


Beowulf
(1840-1863)
Hrothgar spoke and answered him:
"The Lord in his wisdom sent you those words
and they came from the heart. I have never heard
so young a man make a truerobservations.
You are strong in body and mature in mind,
impressive in speech. If it should come to pass
that Hrethel's descendent dies beneath a spear,
if deadly battle or the sword blade or disease
fells the prince who guards your people
and you are still alive, then I firmly believe
the seafaring Geats won't find a man
worthier of acclaimas their king and defender
than you, if only you would undertake
the lordship of your homeland, My licking for you
deepens with time, dear Beowulf.
What yo have done is to draw two peoples,
the Geat nation and us neighboring Danes,
into shared peace and a pact of of friendship
in spite of hatereds we have harbored in the past.
For as long as I rule this far-flung land
treasures will change hands and each side will treat
the other with gifts; across the gannets's bath,
over the broad sea, whorled pows will bring
presents and tokens.
Revised Version
Hrothgar answered him:
"The wisdom of God sent you those words
and they came from your heart. I have never heard
a young man make a truer observation.
You have a strong body and mind,
well spoken. If it should happen
that Hrethel's descendant dies froma spear,
in battle, a swords blade, or a disease
the prince who protects your people
and you are still alive, then I believe
the Geats will not find a man
more equipped for the job of king and defender
than you, if you would accept
the crown of your country. My liking for you
grows with time, Beowulf.
What you did was draw two groups,
the Geats and neighboring Danes,
into peace and treaty friendship
despite the bad blood we have from the past.
For as long as I rule this land
treasures will go through both sides and each side will
give the other gifts; across the gannet's bath,m
over the wide open sea, whorled prows will bring
presents and tokens.

Rob Peach said...

Vinnie Venturella
Bro. Robert Peach
ENG 141 / British Lit
9-30-08

A lot was to happen in later days
in the fury of battle. Hygelac fell
And the shelter of Heardred’s shield proved useless
Against the fierce aggression of the shillings :
Ruthless swordsmen, seasoned campaigners,
They came against him and his conquering nation,
And with cruel force cut him down
So that afterwards the wide kingdom
Reverted to Beowulf. He ruled it well
For fifty winters, grew old and wise
As warden of the land
Until one began
To dominate the dark, a dragon on the prowl
From the steep vaults of a stone-roofed barrow
Where he guarded a hoard; there was a hidden passage,
Unknown to men, but someone managed
To enter by it and interfere
With the heathen trove.
He had handled and removed
A gem-studded goblet; it gained him nothing,
Though with a thief’s wiles he had outwitted
The sleeping dragon. That drove him into rage,
As the people of that country would soon discover.

My Version
In the next few days,
In the heat of the month
Hygelac’s rent was due.
And headred’s house was being foreclosed
Because of the aggressive landlords’
Ruthless bankers men, and seasoned congressmen,
They came against him and his lobbyist,
And with brutality removed them from their homes.
So now everyone in the nation turned toward Beowulf. He ran the country well
For 8 years, and grew to become a great leader.
As president of his nation.
Until there was corruption
Where people began to change things.
From their posts and offices.
Where they guarded their hoard (own selfish wants),
There was a way to change this, but it was
Unknown to many, someone had tried but failed
Because they awoke the “Sleeping Dragon”.
By not doing this in the correct manner.
It had gained him nothing,
Though he was able to get pasted
The “Sleeping Dragon”. This drove the dragon into rage.
As the people of that nation would soon find out.

Rob Peach said...

Mike Kretz
Bro. Robert Peach
Eng 141/ British Literature
9/30/08


Orinal Version
"O flower of warriors, beware of that trap.
Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part,
eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride.
For a brief while your strength is in bloom
but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow
illness or the sword to lay you low,
or a sudden fire or surge of water
or jabbing blade or javelin from the air
or repellent age. Your piercing eye
will dim and darken; and death will arrive,
dear warrior, to sweep you away.
"Just so I ruled the Ring-Danes' country

for fifty years, defended them in wartime
with spear and sword against constant assaults
by many tribes: I came to believe
my enemies had faded from the face of the earth.
Still, what happened was a hard reversal
from bliss to grief. Grendel struck
after lying in wait. He laid waste to the land
and from that moment my mind was in dread
of his depredations. So I praise God
in His heavenly glory that I lived to behold
this head dripping blood and that after such harrowing
I can look upon it in triumph at last.
Take your place, then, with pride and pleasure,
and move to the feast. Tomorrow morning
our treasure will be shared and showered upon you."


My version
"Oh Beowulf, look out for that trap.
Choose the better path,
with eternal rewards. Do not give in to pride.
Your strength seems unstoppable at first
but it fades quickly; soon there will be illness
or the sword will let you down,
or a fire or tidal wave
or knife or arrow
or your age will do it. Your eyes
will eventually close; and you will die.
"I ruled the Ring-Danes' country
for fifty years, defending them during war
with my spear and sword against the attacks
by many tribes: I started to believe
that my enemies disappeared.
But still, what happended
was hard to believe. Grendel attacked
after waiting. He destroyed the land
and from that moment I hated him.
So I thank God that I lived to see
his head dripping in blood and after that
I can look at it as a victory.
Take your place with pleasure
and go to the feast. Tomorrow morning
we will reward you and give you gifts."

Rob Peach said...

Jacob Sedlack
Br. Peach
English 141/ British literature
9/30/08

Addressing the troops
Lines 2529-49)

"Men-at-arms, remain here on the barrow, safe in your armor, to see which one of us is better in the end at bearing wounds in a deadly fray. This fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me to measure his strength against the monster or to prove his worth. I shall win the gold by my courage, or else mortal combat, doom of battle, will bear your lord away."
Then he drew himself up beside his shield. The fabled warrior in his war- shirt and helmet trusted in his own strength entirely and went under the crag. No coward path.
Hardy by the rock-face that hale veteran, a good man who had gone repeatedly into combat and danger and come through, saw a stone arch and a gushing stream that burst from the barrow, blazing and wafting a deadly heat. It would be hard to survive unscathed near the hoard to hold firm against the dragon in those flaming depths."

My version
My follow soldiers, I order you remain here at the cemetery safe in your armor, to see which on of us is better in the end at bearing wounds in a deadly battle. This fight is not yours but mine, the responsibility to battle this foe and reap the rewards for my courage or die fighting is what drives this order. Then he took his weapons and the legendary commander went into the opening; without fear. Hard into the hideout the old soldier went, a good man who led the charge over-and-over saw a door way and a sudden explosion burst through, with a deadly heat. It would be hard to survive uninjured this close to the hostages with such well-armed terrorists in those depths.

Mr. President said...

Brian Fuchs
Brother Peach
ENG 141 / Brit Lit
September 30th, 2008
Epic Throw down
(766-789)
• And now the timbers trembled and sang,
A hall-session that harrowed every Dane
Inside the stockade stumbling in fury
the two contenders crashed through the building
The hall clattered and hammered, but somehow
Survived the onslaught and kept standing:
It was handsomely structured, a sturdy frame
braced with the best of blacksmith’s work
Inside and out. The story goes
That as the pair struggled, mead benches were smashed
And sprung from the floor, gold fitting and all.
Before then, no Shielding elder would believe
there was any power or person upon earth
capable of wrecking their horn- rigged hall
unless the burning embrace of fire
engulf it in flame. Then an extraordinary
wail arose, and bewildering fear
came over the Danes. Everyone felt it
who heard the cry as it echoed off the wall,
a God-cursed scream and strain of catastrophe,
the howl of the loser, the lament of the hell-serf
keening his wound. He was overwhelmed
manacled tight by the man who of all men
was foremost and strongest in the days of life.



• And now the desks trembled and sang
a chorus concert that summoned every student
inside the knowledge structure: consumed with fury
the conquerors rampaged through out the class room
the room shattered and trembled, but somehow
survived Br. Rayowulf ‘s assault and held its ground;
The room’s foundation strong and aesthetically gratifying
held with the craftsmanship of the best smith.
The story goes on as Rayowulf and Steve the
Lunch Lady struggled, iron-chairs smashed and were removed from the base, desktops and all.
Before then, no other teacher tenured would
have believed there was any Brother or earthly power that could destroy the education-hall
unless it be some fiery calamity. Than an extraordinary cry sounded, and a
spine shattering fear came over the apprentices.
They all felt it who heard the cry as it reverberated off the walls, a demonic scream,
the whimper of the defeated, the mourning of a battered cafeteria serf
protecting her wound. She was overwhelmed,
clasped in the tight grip of a brother
who of all brothers was supreme
and strongest during the capacity of life.

Rob Peach said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rob Peach said...

Brett Pippens
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
ENG 141 / British Lit
29 September 2008

From: "Beowulf": The Dragon Wakes
Lines 2200-2220
2200: Alot was to happen in later days in the fury of the battle. Hygelac fell and the shelter of Heardred's shield proved useless against the fierce agression of the Shylfings:ruthless swordsmen, seasoned campaigners, they came against him and his conquering nation, and with cruel force cut him down so that afterwards the wide kingdom reverted to Beowulf. He ruled it well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as the warden of the land until one began to dominate the dark, a dragon on the prowl from the steep vaults of a stone roofed barrow where he guarded a hoard; there was some hidden passage, uknown to men, but someone managed to enter by it and interfere with the heathen trove. He had handled and removed a gem-studded goblet; it gained him nothing, though a thief's wiles he had outwitted the sleeping dragon. That drove him into rage, as the people were soon to realize.

From: Beowulf: My version
2200: There was some ish about to pop off in a few days. in the heated battle, Hygelac failed to protect them, and Heardred's shield was proven useless in defense against the ruthless Shyflings. Angry a** warriors, veteraned soldiers, together they rebelled against his punk a** nation and as angry as they were, cut him down so that the people turned towards Beowulf. He was the Ishh for 50 years, and he became a legend/icon while doing so. And then this punk motherf***er who think he da shhh because he dominating the dark. A goon out lurkin on top of rooves and shhh where he keep his stash at. He had a secret stash, but aint nobody know where it was at. But somebody snuck in there, and happened to take his chain. It didn't prove nothing, but now everyone kows he got robbed. So now he all pissed off at EVERYBODY and they soon found out.

Adam Butler said...

Adam Butler
Bro. Peach
Eng 141/British Lit
Tuesday , 9/30/08

Lines 1442-1464

Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear,indifferent to death;his mighty,hand forged,fine webbed would soon meet with the menace underwater.
It would keep the bone cage of his body safe: no enemys clasp could clasp could crush him in it, no vicious armlock choke his life out.
To guard his head he had a glittering helmet that was to due to be muddied on the mere bottom and blurred in the upswiral. It was of a beaten gold, princely headgear hooped and hasped by a weapon smith who had worked wonders in days gone by and adorned it with boar shaped; since then it had resistd every sword. And another item lent by Unferth at that moment of need was of no small importance:the brehorn handed him a hilted weapon, a rare and ancient sword named Hrunting. The iron blade with its ill boding patterns had been tempered in blood. It had never failed the hand of anyone who hefted it in battle, anyone who had fought and faced the worst in the gap of danger . This was not the first time it had been called to perform heroic fests.

Option 1

Beowulf prepared himself. Putting on his gear for war. Not scared of death. He prepared by using armor in which nobody could penetrate it to hurt him. Their was no way someone could get through to him with his magnificent armor on. Hi helmet made out of the finest of metals to protect his brilliant skull from danger. A sword of rarity and honor which has never failed in combat for anyone which is named Hrunting. This was not the first time this great sword had been called into combat for a huge fight on hand .

matthew said...

Matthew Clair
Brother Peach FSC
Eng 141/ British lit

9/30/08

Recreating Beowulf
taken from: p. 48-49, lines: 781-812

Then an extraordinary wail arose,
bewildering fear came over the Danes.
Everyone felt it who hear that cry as it
echoed off the wall, a God cursed
scream and strain of catastrophe,
the howl of the loser, the lament
of the hell-serf kneeing his wound.
He was overwhelmed , manacled
tight by the man who of all men,
was foremost and strongest in
the days of this life.
But the earl-troop's leader
was not inclined to allow
his caller to depart alive:
he did not consider that life
of much account to anyone anywhere.
Time and time again, Beowulf's warriors
worked to defend their Lord's life
laying about them as best they could,
with their ancestral blades.
Stalwart in action, they kept striking
out on every side, seeking to cut
straight to the soul. when
they joined the struggle there was
something they could not have known
at the time, that no blade on Earth, no
blacksmith's art could ever damage their
demon opponent. He had conjured the harm
from the cutting edge of every weapon.
But his going away out of the world
and the days of his life would be
agony to him, and his alien spirit
would travel far into fiends keeping.
Then he who had harrowed the
hearts of men with pain and
affliction in former times had given
offense also to God , found that
his bodily powers failed him.

Slaying of Grendel
(in my own words)

Then a horrifying shriek
overcame all who were present.
everyone was filled with fear
as the polyphonic sound lapsed
the room.
The ear shattering screech of
mayhem, signifying the loser,
morning at his wound.
He was in shock of his true
vulnerability, he had thought
that he was invincible.
The warrior was not going
to let his adversary leave still
breathing. He did not believe
that his opponent deserved his
life, in which he was causing constant
terror, and he believed the same
for any of his offenders.
The Strong Leader's army
assisted their Lord, and helped
defend him. They took the offensive
action of trying to destroy the
Monster. They found out that their
weapons were useless,
and the demon's outer layer was
impenetrable to metal. But by the
grace of God, the demon's powers were
deprived, and failed him.