Cain and Abel

In a world that is constantly evolving, the traits and actions of a hero adapt over time. What constitutes as heroism in one culture could be cowardice in another. In terms of literature, Beowulf has stood the test of time and has consistently been regarded as the epitome of heroes. While the character for whom the epic is named after performs a few daring deeds, what sets Beowulf apart from others is the exploration of his heroism in two distinct phases. The beginning of the tale starts with…

The reason why the Anglo-Saxons have a disdain for Grendel is because of his lineage. Grendel is a descendant of Cain. After Cain slayed his brother, Abel, God cursed him. According to the Anglo-Saxons, Grendel was in Cain’s lineage. That is why Grendel hated the God that he did not believe in. Yet, despite Grendel’s defiance against the Shaper and the Anglo-Saxon beliefs, he actually…

The book God 's Big Picture is a 167-page book written by Vaughan Roberts and published by IVP Books. The sub title to this book is “Tracing the story line of the Bible”. I believe Roberts does a fair job at accomplishing this task. The key to tracing the story line of the bible is to look at it outside the box and in big picture view hence the title. Roberts narrows the bible down to a few key points and sub points. The bible both old and new testament have a pattern that Roberts…

Hope is being able to see there is life despite all of the darkness. In the story “The Last Gas Station” by Shirley Ann Grau, tells how life is dependent on hope. The story reflects the childhood days with the siblings and father. They lived by the side of a four lane highway where they owned a Gas station. The story is about how circumstances can change life and relations and leave us lonely. Sometimes it may leave us with a ray of hope. In the beginning, the author tells about the house she…

“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.” by Dante Alighieri. This shows a little into Dante’s thinking as he ranked moral failures through his structure of hell. In Dante’s Inferno there are nine different circle or levels of hell. In these circle there are different punishments for the different sins people commit throughout their life. The worst the sin is that you commit, the lower in hell you go and the worst your punishment…

Vocabulary List Spurned- reject with disdain or contempt. Adumbrates-foreshadow or symbolize. Recapitulated-summarize and state again the main points of. Progenitor-a person or thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended or originates; an ancestor or parent. obliquely-not in a direct way; indirectly. proleptic-the representation or assumption of a future act or development as if presently existing or accomplished. conjugal-of or relating to marriage or the relationship of a married…

Nothing Is Original, Not Even This Title In his book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas Foster says, “…there is no such thing as a wholly original work of literature.” At least one element in each work of literature derives from somewhere. The story of Beowulf is an old English epic poem with an unknown author that originated between the seventh and tenth century Anno Domini. The epic poem clearly proves Foster’s assertion because elements of Beowulf have been used to create…

Throughout Beowulf, the poet provides picturesque, almost unreal, images of landscapes and characters to embody the theme of good versus evil. In Beowulf, the poet utilizes imagery, as well as characters, to create a contrast between the forces of good and evil and create conflict. The poet uses Beowulf and Grendel to embody the forces of good and evil. Beowulf and Grendel each have characteristics that represent either force. Since Beowulf has many heroic characteristics, he is…

Throughout the book of Genesis there exists many conflicts: Eve’s conflict with the serpent’s lies, the conflict of Cain and Abel, the conflict Moses has with the Egyptians to free the Israelites, and then the conflict Moses has with the children in the wilderness to follow God. These are just a few of the conflicts that are discussed in the book of Genesis. Joseph is a great example of how suffering and conflict, no matter how unfair, can develop great character and wisdom. The story of…

The Anglo-Saxon Era was one of transition from pagan beliefs to Christianity, which can be see interwoven in the literature of the period. By the time “Beowulf” was transcribed, pagan mythology and Christian truths were viewed as mutually exclusive ideals, but to many people these tales coexisted within their hearts and minds as is revealed by the story of “Beowulf” as the author transitions seamlessly between the two warring worldviews. The relationship of Christianity and pagan legends is…