Beowulf Part II & Part III

In the Pagan society, to avenge a death was the way, instead of mourning for the loss. When Grendal's mother found her way to the Mead Hall to steal away Hrothgar's advisor, it was an "eye for an eye" concept. The thing to consider was the fact that she was a woman. At the time, this would have been looked down upon, but since she's technically born evil, it gives her the right to be evil. When Beowulf fights Mama Evil, he uses Unferth's special sword, Hrunting. Just because it has a name gives the sword uber awesome power. In class, Mr. B brought up the question whether Unferth gave Beowulf his sword out of fear or respect. I looked at it like Unferth thought Beowulf has proven himself strong and powerful that Unferth felt the need to share the wealth. I don't think Unferth was scared or intimidated, because then he would just take a stand back and just watch Beowulf fight the evil by himself. I guess his "Comitatus radar" was starting to work. It would be interesting to add another suspenseful aspect to the fight with Grendal's Mother. The moment Beowulf butchers up her neck, it would have been more interesting for some projectile blood to start spraying everywhere. It almost catches Beowulf's feet as he escapes her lava liquid. Beowulf as strong as he is, why did he only hold the melted sword and Grendal's severed head? He could have grabbed the Grendal and the mother by the hair/head and put the knife on something to hang on his sholder or something.  I think this is one part of the story that lacked in detailing more descriptions and reasons. Maybe Grendal's mother's acidic blood was too much to risk carrting, I suppose.

Is Beowulf more like Superman or Batman? I think neither. He's more like Jackie Chan. We know the hero can still get hurt, but we don't want them to die. But the hero still has some incredible supernatural ability to kick some major butt.

I never thought being a king would be boring, but apparently Beowulf thought so. I suppose that seems most convincing, since Beowulf held his head high and knew his brute characteristics as a warrior were much more satisfying than a king. But I thought Beowulf enjoyed gifts and treasures so much, that being king would grant him lots and lots of treasure. Does that make him selfish for wanting treasure? After all, the king is the "ring giver." I believe Beowulf has been wound up in his kingship, that when the dragon came around, he felt the need to re-live his youth. I don't really see it as fate or his deathwish. I mean maybe Beowulf just wanted to die in "battle." Just like Lieutanant Dan in Forest Gump. Yet, I don't necessary think he wanted to die with honor. As a king, he felt that it was his duty to stop the "majestic dragon" causing havoc in the villages. Since the dragon was destroying everything, it was hard to see it as a natural being. I looked at it as if Beowulf knew that he was old and he probably knew he couldn't match up to his youth years, but he seemed to take the initiative to be the leader. He doesn't want his full-decked out army to help slew the dragon, because he didn't want to risk losing all his warriors. He felt the need to stop the dragon himself. I guess it goes to show you that what comes up, must come down. The first two pivotal battles were the stories that made Beowulf that warrior that everyone wants to be, now that he must be like 100 years old, he has finally come to the end of his awesomeness, because he is worn out and tired. He did his fair share. He wanted to "go out on a bang." The scene when he's injured and slowly dying from venomous poision kind of reminds me about the ending of I Am Legend. Will Smith felt the need to save the woman and the boy, in order to pass the cure and his legend. That was what Wiglaf was there for. Even though he disobeyed his king, he felt the need to abide by the Comitatus belief of fighting/defending his king. The last few moments of Beowulf's life, when he makes Wiglaf take kingship, I felt that even though Wiglaf helped put some stab wounds in the dragon, he was there to witness the death of his king. I felt that Beowulf had no choice, but to make Wiglaf king. If anyone else was there what would happen? I think Beowulf knew that the Geats would go to battle, so he needed to assign kingship to someone or else hell will break loose and the Geats would curse at Beowulf in his after-life.