Anglo Saxon Culture as Reflected in Beowulf

Cultures usually have distinct figures that reflect their culture as a whole. The importance of religion, values, and heroes are reflected a great deal in the epic poem of Beowulf accurately showing the Anglo Saxon culture as a whole. Men dominated the Anglo Saxon society and the people loved a great hero like that of Beowulf. They believed a hero should be a keeper of his promises, be boastful and produce great physical strength. Also Beowulf was an outstanding fighter and loyal to everyone he met. He believed no one was greater than anyone else; Beowulf showed great respect even to his enemies by fighting them one on one (â€Å"Anglo Saxons† 48). Even when Beowulf knows fate is against him and he is going to die; he continues to keep fighting; â€Å"†¦No prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise† (Beowulf 60). Beowulf’s boastful self-confidence, his overpowering strength, and his victories in battle make him a classic legendary hero and a model for the Anglo Saxon culture. A very important element in the society of the Anglo Saxons was the mead hall. The mead hall was essentially a meeting place for dinners, story telling and the party for victories (Bjork 89). The mead hall symbolizes security, fellowship, and all that is good in the world (Bjork 90). The mead hall was thought to be the safest place in the entire Kingdom. In Beowulf the mead hall was described as â€Å"the foremost of halls under heaven† (Orchard 77). This mead hall was called Herot serving as a palace for King Hrothgar. This is where Beowulf dismantled Grendel in an epic battle. Beowulf preferred to fight with his bare hands. The typical Anglo Saxon warrior was not blessed with the great talents Beowulf was blessed with so they used various weapons like: the spear, sword, shield, seaxe, and bow and sling. The spear was the most common weapon of choice and could be used as a missile or used in hand-to-hand combat. The sword was not a common weapon used at all because it was very expensive to produce. The sword was usually given to a great warrior who has demonstrated courageous acts in battle. All warriors had a shield that was made of wood and usually lined together by metal. A seaxe was a single bladed knife that was carried on the belt on the warrior and was used more as a tool than an actual weapon (Beowulf 112-113). Anglo-Saxons valued religion very highly. There is much controversy over Beowulf in dealing with pagan and Christian beliefs because historians believe both were integrated although Christianity seems to be more prevalent. Religion was the center of people’s life at this time and is demonstrated in Beowulf when Beowulf calling for God exclaims †¦ â€Å"the almighty the maker of the earth†. Up until the 6th century it is back and forth between Christianity and Paganism. The greatest sources of information on the pagan period of religion are from the 7th to 8th century testimonies, such as Beowulf (Orchard 25). Paganism dealt with the worshiping of many gods. The celebration of glory has such emphasis in Beowulf because human praise is the highest goal of the pagan characters. Anglo Saxon warriors wore helmets for battle with a pagan god on them named Freyr. Those who grew up praying to Thor to protect them with their shield and helmet before they went to battle were involved in the pagan religion (Orchard 33). Paganism seemed to be the religion of choice for many Anglo- Saxon warriors while Christianity did not evolve as quick in warriors (â€Å"Saxons Culture†). Margaret E. Goldsmith who wrote â€Å"The Christian Theme of Beowulf† exclaimed the teaching of St. Augustine and St.  Gregory are incorporated in Hrothgar’s sermon. Goldsmith said Beowulf was sort of a Christian historical novel, with selected bits of paganism purposely laid on as â€Å"local color† such as the references to fate or Wyrd (Bloom 127). All considered Beowulf shows religion, expresses values of everyday life and explains what a true hero in all about in Anglo Saxon times. The Anglo Saxons express their cultures through wonderful literature such as Beowulf, which is a record of heroic deeds. The Anglo Saxon society believes in great men such as Beowulf that have good morals and exemplify devotion to their country. Beowulf derives its main plot from folk tales; and as W. P. Ker has said, â€Å" it is difficult to give individuality or epic dignity to commonplaces of this sort (Bloom 14). The author of Beowulf recognized the obligation of giving his hero emotional and ethical value through association with events the Anglo Saxon people would recognize as hero-like. It was not enough that Beowulf should display unequaled strength and courage in his victories over gargantuan monsters but the value of these exploits must be enhanced by Beowulf’s deep and emotionally justified concern for those he fought (Bloom 14). The physical power of Beowulf does not give him the moral dimensions and the title of an epic hero. The loyalty and unselfishness Beowulf displays makes him the ultimate Anglo Saxon hero and the great epic of Beowulf will never be forgotten because there is no greater idol than Beowulf. Anglo Saxon Culture as Reflected in Beowulf Cultures usually have distinct figures that reflect their culture as a whole. The importance of religion, values, and heroes are reflected a great deal in the epic poem of Beowulf accurately showing the Anglo Saxon culture as a whole. Men dominated the Anglo Saxon society and the people loved a great hero like that of Beowulf. They believed a hero should be a keeper of his promises, be boastful and produce great physical strength. Also Beowulf was an outstanding fighter and loyal to everyone he met. He believed no one was greater than anyone else; Beowulf showed great respect even to his enemies by fighting them one on one (â€Å"Anglo Saxons† 48). Even when Beowulf knows fate is against him and he is going to die; he continues to keep fighting; â€Å"†¦No prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise† (Beowulf 60). Beowulf’s boastful self-confidence, his overpowering strength, and his victories in battle make him a classic legendary hero and a model for the Anglo Saxon culture. A very important element in the society of the Anglo Saxons was the mead hall. The mead hall was essentially a meeting place for dinners, story telling and the party for victories (Bjork 89). The mead hall symbolizes security, fellowship, and all that is good in the world (Bjork 90). The mead hall was thought to be the safest place in the entire Kingdom. In Beowulf the mead hall was described as â€Å"the foremost of halls under heaven† (Orchard 77). This mead hall was called Herot serving as a palace for King Hrothgar. This is where Beowulf dismantled Grendel in an epic battle. Beowulf preferred to fight with his bare hands. The typical Anglo Saxon warrior was not blessed with the great talents Beowulf was blessed with so they used various weapons like: the spear, sword, shield, seaxe, and bow and sling. The spear was the most common weapon of choice and could be used as a missile or used in hand-to-hand combat. The sword was not a common weapon used at all because it was very expensive to produce. The sword was usually given to a great warrior who has demonstrated courageous acts in battle. All warriors had a shield that was made of wood and usually lined together by metal. A seaxe was a single bladed knife that was carried on the belt on the warrior and was used more as a tool than an actual weapon (Beowulf 112-113). Anglo-Saxons valued religion very highly. There is much controversy over Beowulf in dealing with pagan and Christian beliefs because historians believe both were integrated although Christianity seems to be more prevalent. Religion was the center of people’s life at this time and is demonstrated in Beowulf when Beowulf calling for God exclaims †¦ â€Å"the almighty the maker of the earth†. Up until the 6th century it is back and forth between Christianity and Paganism. The greatest sources of information on the pagan period of religion are from the 7th to 8th century testimonies, such as Beowulf (Orchard 25). Paganism dealt with the worshiping of many gods. The celebration of glory has such emphasis in Beowulf because human praise is the highest goal of the pagan characters. Anglo Saxon warriors wore helmets for battle with a pagan god on them named Freyr. Those who grew up praying to Thor to protect them with their shield and helmet before they went to battle were involved in the pagan religion (Orchard 33). Paganism seemed to be the religion of choice for many Anglo- Saxon warriors while Christianity did not evolve as quick in warriors (â€Å"Saxons Culture†). Margaret E. Goldsmith who wrote â€Å"The Christian Theme of Beowulf† exclaimed the teaching of St. Augustine and St.  Gregory are incorporated in Hrothgar’s sermon. Goldsmith said Beowulf was sort of a Christian historical novel, with selected bits of paganism purposely laid on as â€Å"local color† such as the references to fate or Wyrd (Bloom 127). All considered Beowulf shows religion, expresses values of everyday life and explains what a true hero in all about in Anglo Saxon times. The Anglo Saxons express their cultures through wonderful literature such as Beowulf, which is a record of heroic deeds. The Anglo Saxon society believes in great men such as Beowulf that have good morals and exemplify devotion to their country. Beowulf derives its main plot from folk tales; and as W. P. Ker has said, â€Å" it is difficult to give individuality or epic dignity to commonplaces of this sort (Bloom 14). The author of Beowulf recognized the obligation of giving his hero emotional and ethical value through association with events the Anglo Saxon people would recognize as hero-like. It was not enough that Beowulf should display unequaled strength and courage in his victories over gargantuan monsters but the value of these exploits must be enhanced by Beowulf’s deep and emotionally justified concern for those he fought (Bloom 14). The physical power of Beowulf does not give him the moral dimensions and the title of an epic hero. The loyalty and unselfishness Beowulf displays makes him the ultimate Anglo Saxon hero and the great epic of Beowulf will never be forgotten because there is no greater idol than Beowulf.

Change in milk bacterias and the effect on teenage girls Research Paper

Change in milk bacterias and the effect on teenage girls - Research Paper Example To counter this, pasteurization of milk was discovered to kill a huge number of diseases causing bacterium. However, pasteurization does not kill every bacterium (Gupta 52). Milk products such as cheese, yoghurt and butter carry the potential of having some bacteria in them. Their consumption in large numbers is relative to an increasing risk of affection. For instance, increased intake milk products correlate with but do not necessarily cause adolescent acne. At this point, it is good to note that milk has two layers one that contains fat and one that does not. The fatty layer has hormones such as progesterone and androgens that stimulate acne. Acne leads to hormonal imbalances and thus abnormal experiences in regard to menstruation (Fox 45). The number of diseases caused by bacteria is large but this paper intends to focus on female genital tuberculosis as one of them. Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium causes this disease. A person suffering from this disease, experiences the fo llowing symptoms; abdominal pain from the lower side, oligomenorrhoea, menstrual disorders, infertility, dyspareunia, vaginal discharges, fatigue, pelvic mass, weight loss among many others. The major treatments include surgery and chemotherapy and use of antituberculosis drugs (Zourob et al 22). The false believe that close contact can lead to transmission of the disease has resulted to the victims being stigmatized. The treatment taking sixth months and above is expensive both to the self and to the government. Studies have shown that most people who suffer from this disease are young, the working bracket, a reduction in the labor force occurs, and a fall in gross domestic product is seen if the number of victims is high like in India. This disease runs over every sphere of the world although the percentages vary. Geographical distribution shows that India has been in the lead followed by Scotland and Saudi Arabia respectively while Australia, USA and Finland have managed less tha n one percent. The historical perspective has reflected that Africa has been leading in mortality rates resulting from this calamity (Gupta 53). Nations have taken measures on prevention of disease to their nationals. Developing nations have embarked on poverty alleviation methodologies. Poverty dictates poor nutrition, inaccessibility to information, poor housing and welfare and is thus expedient to have measures to reduce and control it. Amongst the strategies is equal distribution of funds, enhancement of the rule of law, providence of social amenities ranging from health centers, schools to administration offices and equity in education. These countries have also embarked in building research centers and funding universities and colleges involved in medical research (Zourob et al 23). These nations through the ministries of health have integrated programs to engage the WHO programs that include vaccinations and immunizations. Developed countries have directed their efforts in th e formulation and implementation of laws and policies against industrial environmental pollution, production and marketing of genetically modified foods and global warming activities. Both developed and developing countries have formed joint unions to strategize on how to promote the health welfare of their nationals. The World Health Organization (WHO) has held a different position altogether. It advocates for enactment of emergency intervention

Climate Change Impact on Agriculture Research Paper

Climate Change Impact on Agriculture - Research Paper Example This paper illustrates that scientists have recorded a global rise in temperatures that influenced a series of negative events on the earth’s weather patterns. Currently, there is a significant rise in sea level, melting glaciers and intensifying rainstorms. Today, climate change is more profound than what previous generations had to endure resulting in a series of challenges to the world, particularly in the agricultural field. Climate is a dynamic system resulting from physical and chemical interactions in the earth’s structures. The Earth is made up of the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere. The physical and chemical interactions of these structures result in the climate of a region. The atmosphere is part of the climate system that affects the earth directly. This is owing to the spherical nature of the earth. The sun heats up the earth, with more intensity on the equator and less intensity at the poles. This uneven heat distribution gen erates wind that carries the heat from the equator to the poles. The heat is also distributed from the upper-level surface of the atmosphere to the lower level of the atmosphere. The ocean correspondingly distributes heat but at a much slower pace than the atmosphere. The carbon cycle is a chemical exchange resulting from the interaction between the earth systems. The ocean and the biosphere are reservoirs of carbon. 99.9% of the CO2 on earth exists in the lithosphere. Carbon flows among the various reservoirs. Mathez states that photosynthesis by plants and decay affects the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. This decaying and photosynthetic effect from the earth’s biosphere occurs after some time. Over a longer time frame, the ocean exerts a more dominant control on the atmospheric CO2. The ocean dominance is as a result of the amount of CO2 in the ocean that is 50 times more than the CO2 in the biosphere. The persistent balance that exists between the earth systems in the ca rbon cycle has maintained the conditions of the earth. It is as a result of this balance that the earth became conducive to evolution and survival of life. The interruption of this dynamic disrupts weather patterns and consequentially results in climate change.

The Sound and the Fury Essay -- Sound Fury

The Sound and the Fury: Chronology of Despair Three little boys watch wearily and fearfully as their sister shimmies quickly up a tree to peer through the window of a dilapidated Southern farmhouse. Our attention focuses neither on her reaction to the festivities commencing in the house, nor on the danger suspended nervously in the dusky air as the tiny image worms up the tree trunk. Sensing the distress apparent in the boys’ words and actions, our eyes rivet to the same thing that fills their faces with apprehension—the dark and muddied stain of filth firmly planted on the bottom of the little girl’s underpants. This scene from William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury illustrates Faulkner’s incredible talent for storytelling that has enabled him to trap readers and critics in his spectrum of characters for decades. Weaving intense characters together with stories of despair and triumph, Faulkner produces a tapestry that blankets readers with his love/hate relationship with the South. However, in his novel The Sound and the Fury, Faulkner employs a vastly different method of creation. This story unfolds as a patchwork of chronological events told through the experiences, memories, and interpretations of three brothers infatuated and obsessed with the actions and absence of their sister, Caddy. Consisting of a multitude of colors laid out by Caddy’s actions and her brothers’ reactions, Faulkner’s true patchwork genius lies in the craftsmanship of his seam. Binding together multi-colored material created by similar experiences, Faulkner’s stitching tak es on a radically different, almost haphazard appearance. With each Compson brother producing a different type of stitching due to vastly different interpretations of their s... ...n Vase or Crucible of Race?" New Essays on The Sound and the Fury. Ed. Noel Polk. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1993. 99-137. "Milkweed." Random House Webster’s College Dictionary. 1996 ed. Millgate, Michael. "The Sound and the Fury." Ed. David Minter. The Sound and the Fury. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. 297-310. Pouillon, Jean. "Time and Destiny in Faulkner." Ed. Robert Penn Warren. Faulkner: A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. 79-93. Ross, Stephen M. "The ‘Loud World’ of Quentin Compson." Ed. Andre Bleikasten. William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury: A Critical Casebook. New York: Garland Pulishing, 1982. 101-114. Sartre, Jean-Paul. "On The Sound and the Fury: Time in the Work of Faulkner." Ed. Robert Penn Warren. Faulkner: A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. 87-93.

Hasseltrom Essay

1.According to Hasselstrom, why does she carry a gun? In one sentence, summarize her rationale. – She carries a gun for self-protection, which provides a personal measure of safety for her. 2. List the specific events that led to Hasselstrom to her decision to carry a gun. -Living alone in a deserted area, being stopped on a bridge by 4 men, being harassed while camping with a friend, coming home one night when she thought that someone had been in her house. 3. Other than carrying a gun, what means of protecting herself did Hasseltrom try? Why did she find them unsatisfactory? Can you think of other strategies she could have adopted instead of carrying a gun? -Deodorant spray cans (since mace was illegal), kung fu classes (would have to practice several hours a day to be good, and very good at self-defense). -She was very careful about her surroundings, the only thing else I could think of would be getting a roommate or moving to a safer place. 4. Where is the essay does Hasseltrom express her reluctance to carry a gun? -In paragraph 25 when she says that â€Å"the pacifist inside me will be saddened if the only way a woman can achieve equality is by carrying weapons.† 5. In paragraph 13, Hasselstrom says â€Å"gun possession might increase your danger-unless you know you can use it.† Where else does she touch on the possible pitfalls of carrying a gun? -In paragraph 26 â€Å"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.† 6. What does Hasselstrom mean when she says, â€Å"The pistol just changed the balance of power â€Å"(24)? -That even though a man might be stronger then she is, she feels as strong as a man and more confident when she has her gun. PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE 1.How does paragraph 1 establish Hasselstrom’s purpose for writing this essay? What other purpose might she have? -That she is a peaceful non-violent woman, but wants to justify why she carries a gun. 2. What purpose does paragraph 5 serve? Is it necessary? -The purpose was to explain how dangerous her town could be for a women, and she wanted to give a real life example of what could have happens even when you call for help and you are by yourself. 3. Do you think this essay is aimed at a particular gender? If so, do you think it is directed at men or women? Why? -I think this essay is aimed more toward women. Everything she talks about seems like it would appeals more toward women than men. 4. Do you think Hasselstrom expects her readers to agree with her position? Where does she indicate that she expects them to challenge her? How does she address this challenge? -No, I think she expects her readers to see her point of view on the situation she is in. STYLE AND STRUCTURE 1.This essay is written in the first person, and it relies heavily on personal experience. Do you see this as strength or a weakness? Explain. -I see this more as a weakness. She could have included statistics which would have made her essay more credible instead of relying only on personal experiences. 2. What is the main cause in this cause and effect essay- that is, what is the most important reason Hasselstrom gives for carrying a gun? Can you identify and contribution causes? -The most important reason she gives for carrying a gun would be the unfortunate dangerous situations that she has been in, and wanting a way to feel safe when she is by herself. 3. Could you argue that simply being a woman if justification enough for carrying a gun? Do you think this is Hasselstrom position? Explain. -I personally cannot argue that just being a woman is reason enough to carry a gun, but I can relate to why she would want to. I believe from the experiences she has had, she has good reason to want a way to protect her. 4. Think of Hasseltroms essay as the first step in a possible casual chain. What situations might result from her decision to carry a gun? -She might feel threatened when there is actually no threat being made, and might shoot an innocent person just on feeling scared. 5. In paragraph 25, Hasselstrom says â€Å"the pacifist inside me will be saddened if the only way a women can achieve equality is by carrying weapons.† In her title and elsewhere in the essay, Hasselstrom characterizes herself as a â€Å"peaceful women.† Do you think she is successful in portraying herself as a peaceful-loving woman why only reluctantly carries a gun? -Yes, I do believe she is a peaceful person, who lives in a not so safe town, and who wouldn’t carry a gun if she didn’t feel she needed to.

Facts About Online High School Diplomas

The Ethics Of An Ethical Code - 1367 Words

An ethical code is a set of morals that a person or group determines to assist their own selves when it comes to decision-making. An ethical code is something that is pretty stable and should not vary based on the context of the situation. Some people form ethical codes that they follow on a micro level, such as only buying American made products from the grocery store, or they could be on a grander scale, such as how a CEO would lead a company. Most successful marketers have a similar ethical code that is the framework for their marketing efforts, but the variations and oversight of certain aspects of the marketing effort leads to a company’s inability to influence customers towards buying their product or service. An ethics code similar†¦show more content†¦Value-oriented framework is based on personal ethical problems such as honesty, autonomy, privacy, and transparency. Stakeholder-oriented framework is the way a decision can have an affect on a company’s s takeholders. And process-oriented framework deals with whether the marketing technique follows the main marketing categories (research, price, promotion, and placement) (â€Å"Statement†). The combination of the frameworks and how much weight they hold forms a marketing team’s ethical code. A company’s ethical code is heavily reflected in its marketing ethical code. For example, Abercrombie Fitch is an upscale casual clothing company who has a rich history of using young, in shape models in catalogues and to stand in front of the store to garner attention. Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie Fitch, came under a lot of scrutiny when he made a comment in 2006 stating, â€Å"We go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive, all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don t belong [in our clothes], and they can t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely† (Lutz, 2013). This statement is the complete opposite of w hat you should do if you’re trying to influence potential customers to buy your clothing. It’s one thing to cater your products and