Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Weeks 1-3
1. What genres do the following texts belong to?
Voluspa, Volsunga Saga, Beowulf, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Give some examples from these texts that support your identification (for example: "Voluspa is an example of the _____ genre, as the following references to gods from the poem illustrate: "Hear my words / you holy gods' (l.1) "By Odin's Will I'll speak the ancient lore" (l.3), etc).
2. What are some possible features of residual (or "secondary") orality preserved in Voluspa, according to the criteria Ong (1982) advances?
3. Identify a central incident that happens in at least four of the above texts, and discuss how it is both similar and different in each example (remember to site from the original texts).
4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
5. Discuss how Tolkien's use of "tradition" (e.g. older literary sources) differs from the techniques and agendas of modernism (see Week 7 in your Reader).
6. What place do the old myths have in the modern world?
7. How does the film Beowulf and Grendel "problematise" the hero-myth of Beowulf ?
8. Discuss what you think any of these texts desire (in the sense of their intention, how they wish to be received, what pleasures they offer).
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Volsunga Saga is an example of a legendary saga genre. A prose in which came from the 13th century. Sigurd, the dragon slayer who plays a big part in the story uses languages used in the middle ages e.g ʺHow sayedst thou, Regin, that this drake (1) was no greater than
ReplyDeleteother lingworms; methinks the track of him is marvellous great?ʺ l.5 p.9
1. What genres do the following texts belong to?
ReplyDeleteVoluspa (Poem), Volsunga Saga (Saga), Beowulf Epic Poem, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (Fantasy - High Fantasy)
2. Identify a central incident that happens in at least four of the above texts, and discuss how it is both similar and different in each example (remember to site from the original texts).
Sacrifice
“The quest is always toward final solution. Moreover, it is toward a joy which may transcend individual sacrifice in the sense that things are, by virtue of a completion of the quest, well with the world.” (http://www.ukessays.com/essays/english-language/hobbit.php)
In Lord of the Rings, Frodo himself makes a great sacrifice. He gives up his comfortable life in the Shire to go on the quest and make life easier for the Shire folk, most of whom are ignorant of his sacrifice and his deeds.
(http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Lord_Of_The_Rings_Tolkien/Lord_Of_The_Rings29.html)
TBContinued
Mariah I very much agree with the similar acts of sacrifice in all four textes as you have you shown as well in the Lord of the Rings. Sacrificial acts of death is used in all textes to go on the quest to make things right. I've seen both these acts within two reaings such as Voluspa ,as said in the very beginning "Far famed- Thor, the son of Earth goes forth to fight the snake, Midgards defender dies triumphant." (l1) (l4) p.3. Beowuf as well goes up against the dragon who has burnt his homeland in to cinder. "..the fire dragon had raised the coastal regions and reduced forts and earthworks to dust and ashes, so the war king has planned and plotted his revenge."(l13) (l16)p.6. Critical reader.
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ReplyDelete7. How does the film Beowulf and Grendel "problematise" the hero-myth of Beowulf ?
ReplyDeleteTo problematize the film Beowulf and Grendel is that due to short budget and also the movie didn't really show much comparing to the Literature of Beowulf. And during the film it shows on how Hrothgar killed Grendel’s father then further on the film as he grew and on his mind all he could think is killing the man Hrothgar that killed his father, then later on went on a rampage killing everyone specially the men etc.
And also one of the main problem is that how the language is used. For example - how the scripts had been made, the poor translation of the myth and also evidence shows that the words were used during the film were a bit modernized and also familiar curse words were used that we used daily today. however I am not sure if curse words were used back to when the Old Anglo-Saxon English were used.
6. What place do the old myths have in the modern world ?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion i recon that old myths are very significant in this day and age.Ancient myths still have an important influence on many ethnicities and are an intangible part of the cultural heritages which in some ways make up the soul and spirits of people in the odern society if that makes sense lol basically its rich in all cultures to have old myths that reflect also on who they are. Many countries in the world still hold celebrations nthat are associated with ancient myths. For example in samoa the 'Tatau' (samoan tattoo on males) hold a very sacred ceremony , its been going on for centuries and its signifies a status and chief title that has been past down for generations within each family and the title name they receive comes with great significance and a history behind it. All in all , the traces of ancient myths can still be found in modern life. Any of you guys recon you could relate within your own cultures ? :)
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ReplyDeleteHi again everyoonnne! lol Well im going to try and attempt question 8. Discuss what you think of any of these texts desire ( in the sense of their intention, how they want to be received, what pleasures are offered) with reference to Lord of the rings. I personally think that the desire for Lord of the rings is to be able to draw comparisons between the primary and secondary worlds . I think Tolkien uses poems, prose and ballads as a way of capturing attention of the reader so that we are able to identify and make links with the text. Furthermore I again think that the idea of pure enjoyment for readers is what Tolkien was trying to portray in his writing , in doing so he provides a pleasure of creating an imagery of a magical land that gives us an escape from the real world. These are my thoughts on that question, what do you guys think ? :)
ReplyDeleteGenres-
ReplyDeleteVOLUSPA is a Mythological poem that describes the creation of the world from Norse Myth. As the main characteristic that identifies the Mythology Genre, it mentions the Gods and other Supernatural beings. Examples-
"Here my words,you holy GODS" (extract 1.a) Critical Reading
"There comes the dark DRAGON flying" (extract 3) Critical Reading
VOLSUNGA Saga is a legendary saga that belongs to Mythological Genre, again characterized by the mention of supernatural beings being which in this case is FAFNIR the serpent brother of Regin "How sayedst thou, Regin, that this drake (1) was no greater than other lingworms; methinks the track of him is marvellous great?ʺ
Extract Morris, W. & Magnussun, E. (Trans.). pp.58-62.
BEOWULF is an Epic poem. Its an extended narrative poem containing 3182 alliterative long lines, which is the main characteristic of EPIC genre.
THE HOBBIT and LORD OF THE RINGS- Both texts are EPIC high Fantasy Novels as it mentions a large backstory along with universe setting.
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ReplyDeleteQuestion 1:
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit fits into many different genres the main genre it fits into is fantasy which follows the books. When we think of the mystical and magical world of dragons, wizards and dwarves we think fantasy. The story takes us into a world that is not accessible to humans which is actually considered to be of a higher fantasy genre. The storyline is a typical journey of a hero’s quest to save the world from destruction. All the characters in this story fit in with stereotypical outlook. The hobbit has many characteristics to it one of them being mythological. With a lack of interest in Britain’s history Tolkien created “The Hobbit” in hopes to revive the knowledge of ancient history. Overall the story is focused around characters that have no supernatural abilities (mortals) so i would think that it is leaning towards being more of an epic movie than a mythological one.
Sources:
Howse, C. 2012. The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9575599/The-Hobbit-unearths-a-hoard-of-myths.html
Question 6:
ReplyDeleteWhat place do the old myths have in the modern world?
In our world today the retelling of myths is happening 24/7. These old myths still play an important role in our world as they are the root of many characters that we may be familiar with. In the beginning all the original myths had been spread out throughout the world and passed down with every new generation. For example, Voluspa is the root of the superhero known as Thor, who is recognised around the world by many fans. The release of the movie Thor in 2011 included many famous people thanks to Paramount pictures who had helped create the movie along with the original comic brand Marvel. The movie got a lot of attention from the media and all its fans. Thor gained over $200 million globally and became one of the most sought out movies to watch in the year of its release. A sequel to this movie is due to release late this year with egger fans awaiting to see what Paramount and Marvel have come up with in this new instalment.
Sources:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981115/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(film)
Peppers, M (2013) Daily Mail UK. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2304749/Baby-names-2013-Unlikely-popular-baby-monikers-inspired-superheroes-HBOs-girls.html
Question 5. Discuss how Tolkien's use of "tradition" (e.g. older literary sources) differs from the techniques and agendas of modernism.
ReplyDeleteTolkien's use of 'traditional' writing techniques proved very successful and different from the current techniques and agendas of the (1930-1960)current day writings.
Modern day techniques and agendas often meant the reading would know the exactly where and when the novel is set. Whereas Tolkien uses the 'old' techniques of, what some may say as, true fantasy. Ie, 'In a time long ago, in a place far away'.
Modern techniques was all about making the reader think. Either about current issues of the day, or think about how a novel can effect their current day life. It was/is all about connecting with the 'todays' audiences, placing the novel with current day themes and problems. Tolkien however could not be further away from this aspect of modern fantasy writings. His draw on old English writings such as 'The Princess and the Goblins'(source: J.S. Ryan. "Folktale, Fairy Tale, and the Creation of a Story."), Beowulf and a the Finnish poem 'cycle Kalevala', allowed him to bring in the old folk writings, which at the time were not being seen in popular writings. These novels were not to persuade the reader to think or doing something and were not related to current day problems. This allowed the readers to truly get lost into a world that was not their own. To ignore their problems and believe in Tolkien Hobbits and their adventures.
Sources : http://www.shmoop.com/hobbit/, Retrieved on June 11.
J.S. Ryan. 'Folktale, Fairy Tale, and the Creation of a Story'
6. What place do old myths have in the modern world?
ReplyDeleteOld myths such as Asgards 'Nine Worlds' are easily relatable in the modern world. Themes that have been constantly developing throughout literature since its humble beginnings are still being used in today’s literature. It is very rare that an author in a modern context will come up with a completely new and separate idea that can captivate the audience’s attention, express the author’s intentions, and still be completely 100% original. Authors draw on things they have seen, heard, read about, and dreamt about which have all come from someone else’s idea. In this way, old myths can be translated and given relevance in the modern world. Old myths often include ideas of creation, good and bad, right and wrong, which are all timelessly relevant to humanity. Beowulf was re developed into an animation movie in 2007 which created a more modern interpretation. This attracted a new range of fans that were into fantasy and animation, while also providing something for fans of the original text. “The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing towns, and later, Grendel's mother, who begins killing out of revenge.” (IMBD) This is the whole theme of good versus evil theme coming back into play along with mythological creature and idea’s.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442933/