Having a Geat time
"Against the dread monster, alone shall decide the fight 'gainst the giant. --- but I with grip shall 'gainst my foe grapple and for life strive."
Beowulf CD: Beowulf is boasting that he alone will fight without weapons in honor of his uncle and Grendel's courage. CM: This remark makes him seem like an honorable fighter, but Grendel is immune to weapons.
"Girds himself with his tail as many times as grades he wishes it should be thrust down. Always before him many of them stand;"
Dante- CD: He is speaking of Minos in ring two. Minos acts almost like a judge by evaluating sinners and throwing them with his tentacles to the appropriate ring. CM: This encounter sets the stage for all the mythology concepts that are deeper within the inferno.
"Empty and useless, when even-light in the brightness of heaven has been concealed."
Beowulf CD: Beowulf is calling all of the Hrothgar's warriors cowards right after his arrival. CM: He claims they are cowards because Grendel still lives and completely nullifies Wulfgar's earlier request for peace.
“Blood-stained from my foes, where sea-monsters I bound, the eoten-race killed, and on the waves slew the nickers by night.”
Beowulf CD: Beowulf provides a resume of creatures he has killed including whales, giants, and demons. CM: The most impressive feat listed is that Beowulf has never been harmed -- he only bleeds the blood of his foes.
war-secret
gossip
"Though thou in battle wert everywhere good, a fiercer fight, if thou Grendel darest"
Hunferth CD: Hunferth is drawing the conclusion that if Beowulf can't beat Breca in a race, how does he stand a chance against Grendel? CM: This is his parting comment to Beowulf in which he hopes will humiliate Beowulf's character.
"The just are two, and are not understood there; Envy and Arrogance and Avarice are the three sparks that have all hearts enkindled."
Ciacco: CD: Ciacco is prophesying the fall of Florence, Italy and stating all people are consumed with jealousy, arrogance, and greed that live there. CM: This lengthy speech was purposely prompted by Dante who wants Florence to be ridiculed in his work.
"All hope abandon, ye who enter in!"
Gate CD: These words were inscribed on the gate leading to the inferno that was guarded by the three beasts. CM: Virgil and Dante disregard the warning because they must make it to Beatrice.
“O creatures imbecile, what ignorance is this which doth beset you? Now will I have thee learn my judgment of her.”
Virgil CD: Virgil is calling Dante ignorant because Dante asked him to explain the concept of money. CM: Virgil is often agitated by Dante's inability to understand concepts throughout the journey.
sword-point
close proximity
"Let your battle-shields here then await, your spears, deadly shafts, the converse of words."
Wulfgar CD: Wulfgar commands Beowulf and his 14 men to leave weapons and insults outside before they encounter Hrothgar. CM: This scene demonstrates a sense of unease the Danes had in meeting the Geats.
"For the pernicious sin of gluttony I, as thou seest, am battered by this rain."
Ciacco CD: Ciacco is telling Date that he's a glutton and placed in ring three where he endures an eternal hailstorm. CM: Moments like this are ironic because Dante placed Ciacco in this predicament, but appears to be unaware and sympathetic.
"Stained with gore if death me take, my bloody corpse bear, think to devour it, will eat it alone, unpityingly,"
Beowulf CD: Beowulf is telling the crowd to let Grendel consume his corpse if he falls in battle and to not interfere. CM: He is doing this to create paranoia and fear so folks will be unyielding in their support for him.
"I knew him of old when he was a child: his aged father was Ecgtheow named"
Hrothgar CD: King Hrothgar establishes the fact he hasn't seen Beowulf in years and was good friends with his father named Ecgtheow. CM: This fact is interesting due to the tension created when Beowulf is asked to leave his weapons behind later.
battle-weed
spear
"Thither for favor, that he thirty men's great strength of might in his hand-grip"
King Hrothgar CD: Beowulf has the strength of thirty warriors. CM: Hrothgar is declaring why he needs Beowulf's help: to rid his palace of Grendel.
"Say where they are, and cause that I may know them; for great desire constraineth me to learn if Heaven doth sweeten them, or Hell envenom."
Dante CD: Dante is trying to lure names of the people he despised from Ciacco by asking him where they are located in the afterlife. CM: Dante makes it sound as if he is asking for his friends but is being entirely sarcastic.
"He wakes no more this side the sound of the angelic trumpet;"
Virgil CD: Virgil is telling Dante that Ciacco and all other sinners will remain with their punishment until Judgement Day occurs. CM: After judgement, sinners will reunite with the physical bodies and the punishment will increase.
“Not at all from me on the flood-waves could he afar float, on the sea quicker; I from him would not.”
Beowulf CD: Beowulf refused to leave Breca behind during their swim meet. CM: This undoubtedly ended the race and further enhances Beowulf's legendary status.
converse of words
ill words or insults
"Ye seven nights strove: he in swimming thee conquered, he had greater might."
Hunferth CD: Hunferth says Beowulf and Breca were swimming at sea for seven days, and Beowulf lost the meet. CM: The differing account of days will become a major focus for Beowulf in his rebuttal. This also hurts Hunferth's claim.
"And this is she who is so crucified even by those who ought to give her praise, giving her blame amiss, and bad repute."
Virgil CD: Virgil is personifying Fortune to Dante. CM: He claims that even the rich complain about Fortune, which means Fortune has no true friends.
"Why keepest?" "Why squanderest thou?"
Avarice and the prodigals CD: As part of their punishment in ring four, the spenders and the hoarders constantly harass one another with a barrage of insults. CM: Their behavior mimics that of Plutus who is in charge of the greedy.
What are the four stages of English?
1. Old - Beowulf
2. Middle - Canterbury Tales
3. Early- Shakespeare
4. Present- Animal Farm
moor-mounds
death plot or grave site