Being the only hope, yet knowing that the chance of success is highly inprobable is not a desirable situation to be in. In Inheritance, the rebels, named the Varden, are preparing for the final battle against the Empire, under the rule of Galbatorix, the man who killed off nearly all the dragons and Dragon Riders in existance, and his dragon, Shruikan. Eragon and his blue dragon, Saphira feel that they are not strong enough to overcome Galbatorix, but if they are to fail, the land of Alagaësia will be under the king’s rule for as long as he pleases. Throughout the book, I have predicted the outcome of events, connected the reading to other stories and questioned why Christopher Paolini put specific sections of the reading into the book. Firstly, …show more content…
One prediction I made while reading Inheritance was that Roran would not die when the wall fell. Despite the chapter being titled “Hammerfall” and Roran’s nickname being Stronghammer, it was clear that Paolini would not have him killed because of the fact that his cousin, Eragon, would be in too much grief to continue on and fight against the Empire. As the last remaining member of his family, with the exception of his half-brother, Murtagh, and judging by how he had dealt with his uncle, his father and his mentors’ deaths in the previous books in the series, he is not emotionally prepared to lose his final remaining family member. As predicted, Roran did not die and continued onto fight for the Varden. Another prediction I made within the reading was that Eragon and Saphira would best Murtagh and Thorn in their final duel before the siege of Urû’baen. It is evident in the text: “Thorn only had time to utter a furious snarl, and then the tower of rubble landed on top of him, knocking his down into the shell of the ruined building and burying him under piles of rubble” (Paolini, 321). This quote shows how Saphira, who was simply distracting Thorn
The Angelino and Taylor families seem to be very different, although both seem to share love for their families. Both families seem independent in taking care of themselves and their children and using their own means to do this. The Angelinos family will be able to provide a safe, loving home with many brothers and sisters. Life will be simple and hopefully happy. The Taylor's child will be exposed to more worldly environments with friends where the Angelino family will probably not be exposed to many individuals outside of the family. The Taylor family values education more and that child will more likely go to college where the Angelino family may not encourage the children to attend college, but instead do work around the house for the
The dragon is portrayed as the undefeatable evil. He is nearly invincible, breathes fire, and manages to fatally wound the ultimate hero of the poem. This makes him the ultimate evil Although Beowulf does defeat the dragon, the battle ends in a tie, since both sides perish, which shows the never ending balance between the two extremes: good and evil. The theme of loyalty is also explored here. When the battle between Beowulf and the dragon first begins, “[his] hand-picked troop/ broke ranks and ran for their lives” (1129). This is a common archetype that allows the hero to face the antagonist alone, all while having assistance during the journey leading up to the final battle. The author used this to emphasize the Anglo-Saxon belief of fate. Beowulf was supposed to face the dragon alone, thus his comrades had to disappear. The two ways to do this would have been to have Beowulf go alone, which would conflict with the belief of Warrior Culture, or portray his allies as cowards which would also help reinforce the Anglo Saxon values regarding courage. Thus by adding in the archetype of the cowardly allies, the author creates an emphasis on the important parts of Anglo-Saxon culture without relying on
The archetypes that permeate many different stories all originate from Joseph Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces. More specifically, in the medieval story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a variety of different archetypes are especially necessary to the theme of the story. An understanding of three key archetypes—the temptress the magic weapon, and the task—reveal the essence of Gawain’s role within the archetypal quest motif.
King Arthur’s forgetful nature illustrates the fallacy of the feudal system which Mari de France refers to. Joseph and Francis Gies comment on this as they describe “[the real destroyer was not gunpowder but central government” (219). The political system in place proved ineffective as it favored certain elites. The nobility prospered while the commoners perished in anguish which is clearly presented in Lanval. Lanval fails to thrive while his comrades continue to gain wealth.
... that much more change is needed in Gawain’s society, for the other knights are unable to grasp the meaning of the belt--they all regard it as a symbol of bravery and honor, and not of humility and excessive pride. Thus, as Adam and Eve create a world of sin for their posterity, so will all the knights who fail to see the true value of Gawain’s experiences.
...or a chivalric Knight embodies the battle of the righteous self against corruption. Gawain’s strength comes from his discovery of his own flaws. Beowulf’s ideals concerning honor and nobility exist only within the context of his society. Remove him from other people, and his life would be meaningless. This is the true flaw of Beowulf, which the character of Gawain, by the end of his story, comes to realize. The notion of "winning" can be applied at all times to the personality of the chivalric Knight. The battleground becomes the mind, which is separate from the realm of reality. Beowulf does not have the capability to win, without the recognition of his fellow warriors. Within the mind, all sorts of battles are waged. The true winner is the person who can learn from that struggle, and who is able to apply that knowledge within both solitary and societal venues.
...of office. During his rule, Elagabalus’s grandmother conspired against him, promoting his cousin, Alexianus. Elegabalus adopted his cousin and continued to remarry, hoping to have a child to become his heir. At a last resort, Elagabalus attempted to have Alexianus, who was now Alexander, murdered. His attempts failed, and finally, Elagabalus and his ally, his mother, were murdered, their bodies dumped into the Tiber and their memories forgotten.
Peter Lerangis was born in Brooklyn, New York, during Hurricane Diane. As a young boy Peter showed signs of being shy not talking to anyone unless he had to. His family, he grew up with were happy and laughed all the time. Each year Peter’s dad would take him to the Greek Independence Day Ceremony. His parents wanted him to be a writer, so they moved from Brooklyn to Freeport, New York. He began writing in math class, making small novels. In high school Peter was a band boy. From marching bands to Jazz bands. Than a friend told him that the girls in chorus were better looking. Then Peter discovered sing and then played a role in plays and he performed in plays all the time. Peter forgot all about writing. (Peter Lerangis)
There I was, Beowulf, standing tall and brave after the battle had ended. It was a bit strange to me seeing as I had once lived a very lonely life; I had killed other creatures before, I had fought small dragons, I had hunted wild boars, I had swam a race in the sea, but to me, this battle was much different. I had many villagers counting on me to defend their land. I prepared myself for everything, even the unthinkable, for seven days and seven nights in the halls of Hygelac the Geat. I had wished to go alone on this journey to slay Grendel and save Greatsland, but I was told to pick fourteen earls to take with me.
The title characters in both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight were both considered paragons of excellence by their peoples. Yet, upon close inspection of the specific actions of these characters, stark differences emerge. While Gawain is virtuous and exemplifies selflessness, Beowulf's heroism is marred by his pursuit of fame and wealth, which seems to dominate his every action. The discrepancy can be explained by a contextual analysis of both heroes. Gawain's code of chivalry emphasized perfection and thus he is flawless. Beowulf on the contrary adheres to the code of heroism, which is much less stringent on man's actions, and much more open to interpretation.
In John Barker’s Ancestral Lines, the author analyzes the Maisin people and their culture centered around customs passed from previous generations, as well as global issues that impact their way of living. As a result of Barker’s research, readers are able to understand how third world people can exist in an rapid increasing integrated system of globalization and relate it not only to their own society, but others like the Maisin; how a small group of indigenous people, who are accustomed to a modest regimen of labor, social exceptions, and traditions, can stand up to a hegemonic power and the changes that the world brings. During his time with these people the author was able to document many culture practices, while utilizing a variety of
In order to get the gold he had seen at the bottom of the lake, he must surpass the dragon. Beowulf gathered the best men to assist him in defeating the monster and claiming the treasures. Beowulf met the dragon at the entrance of the tower. The dragon blew fire out and Beowulf let out a battle cry. As Beowulf felt the engulfed flames, the sword breaks as he struck the angry dragon. Soon after, ten of the eleven men flee in fright from the dragon. Beowulf nor Wiglaf flees, but stays to fight, following the scampering of the men. Beowulf struck the dragon, but his tusk slices Beowulf’s neck. With a sliced neck, Beowulf managed to pull out a dagger and slay the dragon in two. The dragon is defeated, but Beowulf lays dying. Beowulf had proved himself to be an epic hero through this part of the story because he put up one more fight after conquering Grendel and his mother. The motivation and courage he possessed allowed him to fight his last battle before the final hours of his life. He had won the fame and honor he once hoped
knight who travels to a distant country in order to prove his worthiness by fighting not one, but three attackers and dying in order to save the Heorot. Sir Gawain is tested but the Green Knight not mentally, but physically. Even being betrayed by her own brother, Lucy overcomes her anamocity and saves Edmund. These three characters all have one thing in common: they are heroes.
George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy saga Game of Thrones transcends the traditional boundaries of the fantasy genre, representing the harsh reality of class exploitation in feudalism and its dichotomous social structure: high birth (nobility) and low birth (peasant). Throughout the series, the interpersonal strife of the noble houses dictates the lives of the peasants. Family is the principle institution through which power is acquired, sustained, and imposed on others. The conflict and subterfuge that occurs in the interest of political gain between houses in this feudalistic society sows the seeds of its own destruction; as a result of war, thousands die in battle, countless villages are pillaged and raided, and the aristocracy falls into