Class notes: 08.28.03
Looking at Beowulf (through Beowulf�s defeat of Grendel�s mother) with Postcolonial theory, and in relation to terrorism.
Dr. Hayward poses the question: � What are the responsibilities of an outside party when another country is in distress because of terrorists?�
Student comments:
When looking at Beowulf we see �good vs. evil� more than an issue of terrorism. The story is full of Christian value. , I think that Grendel is more of a representation of evil than terrorist. I think the story is addressing the question of the entire human race being good, or are there some who are naturally evil.
Fate also plays a major role in the story. We notice that they believe that God will choose the outcome of every situation, almost as if they have no control over their lives or world. They do not believe however, that God always choose the �right� or �good� path. They are unsure of Beowulf�s ability to defeat Grendel because they say that God will pick the outcome. If Grendel was to win then God would be favoring evil.
The characters have a choice whether they are good or evil.
We see the characters praying to the Pagan Gods, this is not a Christian value. However, their prayers were not answered, so maybe it is supporting Christianity.
What is considered �good� and �evil� is all relative to time and place and the beliefs of the people, so it is hard for us to tell what they meant to be representing as good or evil. For example, we committed genocide on the Native Americans, but we claimed that God told us they were heathens/ savages� did we see this act as evil then?
Our culture does not necessarily interpret �Christian values� the same way as other cultures; therefore, Beowulf�s cultural values played a big part in what was considered �good� and �evil�, and how they dealt with terrorism.
There is a theory that �Beowulf� was Christian propaganda published at a much later date than we believe it to have been.
�Beowulf� was an oral tale; people may have added the Christian values later when Christianity was more popular.
Dr. Hayward poses the question: �Why did Beowulf fight Grendel when he wasn�t attacking his own people?�
Student comments:
Beowulf fought Grendel to make a name for himself. He wanted the fame and glory of the heroic act.
He fought him because the story seems more heroic when the main character is risking his life for other people. It was for the thrill factor of the people who told the story. Since the tale isn�t real Beowulf didn�t consciously make the decision to be selfless, therefore, there were no morals involved, just what sounded best to the audience.
It could be that the story was supposed to be setting an example of what it takes to become �immortal� (life assurance after death) in society. Beowulf becoming immortalized is mentioned a few times in the story, secured by his slaying Grendel.
Dr. Hayward: Note, the story starts out with the death of a significant man. He has become immortal in a way because his name will never be forgotten as a heroic man.
He did it to prove his toughness. The story served as an example of what the society considered to be a brave man.
This idea fits with today�s idea of a hero, shown in the movies we watch. i.e., �Rambo�, �Brave Heart�, �Boondock Saints�, �Gladiator�. They all have a brave man who is saving innocent people from terror.
Beowulf owes Hrothgar a debt, (it is mentioned in the story) it is possible that Beowulf�s act is to repay his debt, but he denies this acquisition.
Dr. Hayward poses the question: �Does a country have a responsibility to fix or help a country that is being attacked by terrorists?�
It depends on who is going to be fighting and who is being attacked. Some people would feel it was ok to give their lives for another country�s help; some would not.
It doesn�t necessarily have to involve fighting.
�You have a responsibility to your fellow man�
We can�t press our morals on other people
Ethically, yes, we have a responsibility, but politics and cultures cause those gray areas.
Being a good and kind person is not only a Christian value; almost all religions support those kinds of morals.
Note: Grendel�s terror is not only directed at the people, but at the building (mead hall) as well, similar to the twin towers
In the story it takes something magical (the sword that kills Grendel�s mother) to stop the terrorist. This is similar to us because we can�t just stop terrorism; something has to happen to stop it.
Summary:
�Beowulf �:
A story about values, duty, and responsibility
The Christian values and responsibilities are on the surface, they may be universal.
How does reality get involved here? �Beowulf� is probably a mixture of real and fictitious events.
Postcolonial Theory
Summary: Edward Said wrote �Orientalism�, a book about how Westerners think of Easterners. We project an image of them as �the others� (people opposite what we think we are) We think of ourselves as the way we�d like to be, then we project all the opposite traits onto everyone else. For example:
Americans think we are; Americans think they are;
charitable, reasonable, responsible,
tribal, backwards, ignorant,
brave, moral, strong, modern,
tight, stingy, irrational, coward,
independent rights, educated, civilized
irresponsible, immoral, irrational
We use these ideas (whether we really believe them or not) to justify conquering other nations and taking things we want and need from them.
We want to believe �the others� are this way, but since we don�t know them we fear them. We fear the danger in what we do not know. This can cause reverse colonization, when the colonized are preserved as a threat to the colonizer.
Student comments:
Maybe Beowulf conquered Grendel out of his own fear for the unknown, the threat he posed to him.
Physiologists say there is always a motive of fear behind any attack, even when you are helping someone else you probably feel threatened.
Grendel is given human traits. He hates everything we love (music, poetry, fun, parties, merriment), therefore he is made �the other�.
For next class: Consider the role of women in �Beowulf�.
