My hero has fallen. Beowulf stands no more. But I feel as if the time has come unexpectedly. Had the warriors acted how they should have, Beowulf's life would have been spared. He fought for their lives and protected our country with his life, and his very own people could not even offer their own protection.
I do not know what horrors lie ahead. I fear the future. Our country now lies in the hands of its invaders. I pray that we have the strength to survive. I cannot believe I allowed this to happen. If only I had helped Beowulf sooner.
Regrets are better left unspoken.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Chapter 2: Exercises and Projects
2. Certainly Uncertain
"He wants you back," he screamed in to the night air like the sound of a bell that did not ring, save for the love that howled in his heart. How could this be? Smashed dreams live on at the site of their birth. A tired man looks at his tired hands and knows not what lies in front of him. He knows what it is to love, but not what it is to be loved. In to her heart, he will beat once more. Time is an odd thing At any point do things in fact end?
"I don't know," he says. You show the world to me. A man's thoughts live on in a boy's dream. Two worlds crash in to one and at that hour a link is joined, one that can't be split. Time goes by, and they meet out of the blue. In to her heart, he beats once more.
3. The Runic Alphabet
(See chart) Futhorc, a runic alphabet used by the Anglo-Saxons, was descended from the Elder Futhark of 24 runes and contained between 26 and 33 characters. It was used probably from the fifth century onward, for recording Old English and Old Frisian. Regarding the history of the Anglo-Saxon futhorc, there are competing theories as to the origins. One theory proposes that it was developed in Frisia, and from there spread later to England. Another holds that runes were first introduced to England from Scandinavia where the futhorc was modified and then exported to Frisia. However, both theories have their inherent weaknesses.
4. Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great, born in 849, was King of Wessex from 871-899. Alfred the Great is noted for his defense of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings, becoming the only English king to be accorded the epithet - "the Great." Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons." Alfred was a learned man who encouraged education and improved his kingdom's legal system and military structure. He is regarded as a saint by some Catholics, but has never been officially canonized. He may often be depicted in stained glass in Church of England parish churches. His successor was Edward the Elder. Alfred the great died in 899.
"He wants you back," he screamed in to the night air like the sound of a bell that did not ring, save for the love that howled in his heart. How could this be? Smashed dreams live on at the site of their birth. A tired man looks at his tired hands and knows not what lies in front of him. He knows what it is to love, but not what it is to be loved. In to her heart, he will beat once more. Time is an odd thing At any point do things in fact end?
"I don't know," he says. You show the world to me. A man's thoughts live on in a boy's dream. Two worlds crash in to one and at that hour a link is joined, one that can't be split. Time goes by, and they meet out of the blue. In to her heart, he beats once more.
3. The Runic Alphabet
(See chart) Futhorc, a runic alphabet used by the Anglo-Saxons, was descended from the Elder Futhark of 24 runes and contained between 26 and 33 characters. It was used probably from the fifth century onward, for recording Old English and Old Frisian. Regarding the history of the Anglo-Saxon futhorc, there are competing theories as to the origins. One theory proposes that it was developed in Frisia, and from there spread later to England. Another holds that runes were first introduced to England from Scandinavia where the futhorc was modified and then exported to Frisia. However, both theories have their inherent weaknesses.
4. Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great, born in 849, was King of Wessex from 871-899. Alfred the Great is noted for his defense of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings, becoming the only English king to be accorded the epithet - "the Great." Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons." Alfred was a learned man who encouraged education and improved his kingdom's legal system and military structure. He is regarded as a saint by some Catholics, but has never been officially canonized. He may often be depicted in stained glass in Church of England parish churches. His successor was Edward the Elder. Alfred the great died in 899.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Blog Assignment #2
Throughout my time, I have read numerous books, whether it be for school or for my own personal interest. Below is a list of my top 5 books – these books range from classic tales to personal journals or guides to topics I enjoy.
Here is a list of my top 5 books:
1. The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I read this book in the 4th grade, after my Father recommended that I check it out. Ever since I picked it up in 4th grade, I’ve bought numerous copies of it and even read it a few more times.
2. Catcher In The Rye, J.D. Salinger. I find this book very memorable to me because I feel like I share much in common with the main character, Holden Caulfield. Also, it’s a very honest book – what more could you ask for?
3. Johnny Got His Gun, Dalton Trumbo. I picked this book up after watching the film. I think it’s a very meaningful story.
4. Rebel Without A Crew, Robert Rodriguez. I picked this book up in a book store after I graduated the 8th grade. As my interest in film grew, I began reading books about how to make films. Robert Rodriguez is one of my favorite directors, and his book follows the journey that he took in making his first film. This book has served as a guide for my future filmmaking techniques and the way I approach making a film.
5. Understanding Movies, Louis Giannetti. My Grandparents sent me this book. It includes some very interesting analyses of many popular films.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Blog Assignment #1
Over the course of the summer, I chose to read two books: Frankenstein, a novel written by Mary Shelley during the 18th century, and A Clockwork Orange, a novel written by Anthony Burgess and published in 1962. As I stared blankly at the two books that rest beside me on my nightstand, I thought about the stories that these two novels held. I had not done any background research on the material of these two books, so I was in for a surprise. And so, with this curious attitude, I picked up the first book. I stared at the cover in confusion. The title glared back at me in large letters: FRANKENSTEIN. Thus began my journey in to the mind of Mary Shelley and through an 18th century world.
The story begins with a Captain Robert Walton embarking on a journey to explore the North Pole. Through his correspondence with his sister, Margaret Walton Saville, we learn that Captain Walton is on a mission to achieve fame through scientific exploration. Unfortunately, the Captain’s ship becomes trapped in a barrier of broken ice. During their “captivity,” the crew notices a man on a sled in the distance. Later, a man is found floating on a raft near the boat. The crew rescues this man and brings him to the Captain’s attention. As Frankenstein begins to recover, he begins to talk to Captain Walton. It is through this encounter that we learn of Frankenstein’s tale. At first, I was confused with the many transitions that took place. The book travels from the letters of Captain Walton and then to Frankenstein’s narration of his journey. Although at first confusing, this transition proved to be extremely clever. Through Frankenstein’s tale, we learn that he, like Captain Walton, embarked on his own journey to achieve fame through scientific exploration. His mission was to create a being that he could share his desires and feelings with. After months of preparation, Frankenstein succeeded, however, his creation was disastrous. Built from a collection of bones from charnel-houses, Frankenstein’s creation was a hideous catastrophe. Frankenstein, fearful of what he has done, flees the scene of his creation. The rest of the novel explains Frankenstein’s later encounters with his horrid creature and the revenge plots that ensue. After Frankenstein’s monster wreaks havoc on society in an attempt to find a companion, Frankenstein vows to destroy his creation. Through a plethora of events, we are taken back to the place of the beginning. Frankenstein is travelling the North Pole in hopes of finding his monster and destroying it. After Frankenstein’s narration, we are taken back once again through a transition to Walton’s narration. Walton concludes with Frankenstein’s unfortunate death, due to an illness gained from the long journey to find his monster. At the end of the novel, Walton goes to check on Frankenstein and finds the monster mourning over his master’s body. After confronting Captain Walton, the monster leaves in sadness, never to appear again.
Personally, I think this was a well-written novel. Once I was aware of the transitions that Mary Shelley was using, I enjoyed her clever storytelling and her use of frame story. I thought the ending was kind of abrupt – with the monster’s brief appearance and disappearance. I hoped for more of a conclusion – possibly with Frankenstein and his monster coming face-to-face and finding some sort of agreement. I hoped for Frankenstein to be freed from the guilt that ensued his journey (due to the death of his friends and family by his monster’s hands). I hoped for the monster to gain a companion and friend and live like he wished. Shelley really personalized the character of the monster. I felt his pain and sadness, living in a lonely world that judged him by his appearance and not his true character. Therefore, due to the themes and characters that Mary Shelley utilized in her novel, I found Frankenstein to be a very worthwhile and pleasing novel.
- - JABDO
WORD COUNT: 660
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