NOTE: This is our
last reading from The Wanderer: Elegies, Epics, Riddles, so be sure to
have Chaucer ready for next week. However, don’t get rid of this book, since
you’ll need it for Short Paper #1 and the longer Mid-Term Paper.
Answer TWO of the
following:
Q1: Though “The
Battle of Maldon” is about real people engaging in an actual historical event,
it is also a calculated work of art. Whatever happened in the real battle, what theme or values about Anglo Saxon society is the poem trying to convey? According to the poet, what makes the English better men than the Vikings? Why are they (to him) more honorable, noble, and heroic?
Q2: Like many
works of Anglo-Saxon literature, the work is fragmentary: we’re missing the
beginning and end of the work. However, there is something poetically
appropriate about the last lines of the poem: “That was not the Godric who
galloped away...” Why does this work as a fitting ending considering the fate
of the soldiers and the theme of the poem?
Q3: Though
relatively little-known, how might “The Battle of Maldon” be a template for
thousands of battle stories and movies to follow? Consider many of the ‘set
pieces’ of the poem, including the speeches, the deaths, and the characters
themselves. Discuss one moment/element that you’ve probably seen duplicated in
a modern book or film (Braveheart, anyone?).
Q4: How does “The
Battle of Maldon” further develop the Christian vs. Pagan tension that we’ve
seen in other poems such as “The Seafarer” and Beowulf? What insight
does the poem give us into the poet’s faith and world view? And how might this
reflect Anglo-Saxon culture as it reaches the second century (1000 AD)?
Answer to Q2) When we observe the ending line, “that was not the Godric who galloped away…,” we get a sense of mystery. With any of the other poems we have read, there is death and destruction among the people; these people are no stranger to tragedy. In the poem, like with other poems we have read, a war is going on. These Danish people believe that Weird has set their life. On page 110, the poet mentions “Weird-singled men,” which if we think about it, there are so many decisions based on Weird and what it lays out for each person’s life, these people don’t know what to expect except the unexpected. They believe that each person has a fate, and that’s the way it goes. Since we don’t know as much about the culture and time period, I believe the last line is very fitting, considering how little we actually know. These people are so focused on how they want to live their lives, once destruction occurs among them, they use God as their last resource. Since they most likely believe that Weird is destined to kill all of them, it makes sense why we don’t really get much of the beginning or the end, almost as if it were intentional. When I picture the last line playing out, I see it as the end of the movie when the credits show up right after, then you’re left with waiting for the sequel.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Q4) “The Battle of Maldon” is amongst many of the Christian vs. Pagan battles we have seen thus far. The people want to live the way they want to, but when it’s a matter of life or death, they are real quick to cry out to God and seek His answer. In “The Seafarer,” we see how the people want to do right by God, but they also struggle because they want to do what they want. They see that Weird has a path set for them, but they are hoping God will get them out of the path. In Beowulf, we see how there is all this destruction and war going on, but among the war zone, these people are desperate to get the ending they want, and use God as the “tool” to try and achieve their goal. The poet includes prayers and crying out to God, which helps us see that the poet does believe in God. The Danish believe your loyalty ultimately is reserved for your lord, but they also want to seek God and try to please both lord and Lord, but it is a difficult task to juggle. As the Anglo-Saxon reaches the second century, these people are still trying to listen and follow God, but are still struggling with trying to live the way they want. I believe they will still try to juggle the two because it is happening in our modern culture.
Q2: Like many works of Anglo-Saxon literature, the work is fragmentary: we’re missing the beginning and end of the work. However, there is something poetically appropriate about the last lines of the poem: “That was not the Godric who galloped away...” Why does this work as a fitting ending considering the fate of the soldiers and the theme of the poem?
ReplyDeleteA: The opening sentence is “...would be broken” and our last sentence is “That was not the Godric who galloped away…” This leaves us asking questions. What is broken and who what? What’s happening? With everything else we have read there are people dying everywhere and basically the world just falling apart. Why did he change? Why did he want to fight again? He doesn’t want to be the soldier who galloped away. He wants to die on the battle front in order to honor his name and his king who is dying on the field. You cannot leave you must fight till the end.
Q4: How does “The Battle of Maldon” further develop the Christian vs. Pagan tension that we’ve seen in other poems such as “The Seafarer” and Beowulf? What insight does the poem give us into the poet’s faith and worldview? And how might this reflect Anglo-Saxon culture as it reaches the second century (1000 AD)?
A: So much religion in such a tiny book! God almighty! Alright so in this story “The Battle of Maldon” there is some christian/pagan beliefs (like everything else thus far). People don’t really care much in the story. They are basically doing what they want and when they want without the fear of consequences, unless death or something majorly negative is involved, then it’s a whole different story. The people in fear or facing death will cry out to God for help and wanting forgiveness. We see kind of the same thing in “The Seafarer,” because people do want to do right with God. They want to be pure with God, but they also want to do what they want when they want, like most christians, myself included. They see that their Wierd (I’m 92% sure I mispelled that but you understand) has a path for them to go down, but they are praying and waiting on God to change that path. In “Beowulf”, we see how there is all they know and everything they understand is being destroyed due to war. These people want to go out the way THEY WANT. They want one last hurrah before they die so they call out to God like “lmao hey God can u like help? Thanks xoxo Gossip Girl” type of thing happening. They only call out to God in a time of need. The poet includes key christian factors such as prayers which makes me believe the poet was a christian and wants us to follow the belief. As the Anglo-Saxon reaches the second century, things are about the same. The people still try to listen to God, but they still try to live the way they want to.