Wednesday

Today we need to read 2160 - 2500.  I will try and give you some time to work on dialectical journals.

But first I want to talk about the following:

Feminist Interpretations:

Hildeburgh - Danish Queen, failed peace pledge who loses son, brother, husband in a feud.  Compare this to -

Freawaru - (merchandise), daughter of Hrothgar.  She will be married to Ingeld, leader of the Heathobards, but she will be a failed peace pledge.  Ingeld's father Froda was killed in a feud with the Danes.  "The necessity to choose between love for Freawaru and the duty to avenge his father's death" (Shippey) makes Ingeld a interesting character, but it reinforces the "precarious peace" of the peace pledge and perhaps questions the institution. 


Modthryth - She kills the men who look on her wrong.  She is a queen but not married?  Is there a parallel here with her and Grendel's mom?  That is until she is married?  How do you interpret her?  Why is she in the poem except to set a contrast with Hygd and what a queen shouldn't be.  Her name derives from thryth - which is "power" or Mod - is "spirit or pride" (power and pride ?).  Some translate her name as "violence of character" or "violence power".  Perhaps she is a parallel for Heremod?


Okay now on to Heoroweard, son of Heorogar, the elder brother of Hrothgar and King before Hrothgar.  Note anything weird or strange?  Hrothgar becomes king and not Heoroweard.  Hrothgar gives his brother's sword to Beowulf.  For some reason this sword was not given to Heoroweard?  Connect this with Hrothulf.  Contrast this later with Beowulf and Hygelac's son.

Okay.  Continue to work and GOOD LUCK!