Intertextual Analysis

“And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong, but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions, facing the blind deft stone alone with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.” Independence and isolation are two concepts that almost never lead to great self accomplishment or success. When we choose to adopt a lifestyle governed by ourselves, or create something on our own, it never truly works out to be the way we had imagined, as one person can only do so much. Although a ridiculous idea, it is necessary in life to isolate one’s self, to separate one’s self from everyone and everything around them, to “find yourself at least once…facing the blind deft stone alone with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.” But why is this so necessary? Why would one risk their safety, their ability to survive, in order to be alone? The answer is simple: to test the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding of the world around us, to figure out our breaking point, the point in our lives where our maximum capacity for knowledge is reached and would be merely destructive if pushed over or not at all. McCandless from Into the Wild was given everything, an education, supporting family and friends, money, everything that any normal person would dream for and he chose to leave it all behind and attempt to survive in Alaska on his own. He wanted to isolate himself, survive on the land and attempt to create a life for himself, with himself. His rather unrecognizable amount of knowledge of surviving in the wilderness eventually lead to his demise in the end of the film where it was evident that his lack of superior knowledge of the outdoors, and lack of determination eventually caught up to him and ended his life. Victor Frankenstein also chose to isolate himself for a couple of years while he worked on his creation. Technology and knowledge became second nature to him, just under breathing. He lived a life consumed by his studies, by knowledge, which eventually drove him nearly insane. This creation could be seen as the over indulgence in knowledge, something that can ultimately result in the destruction of its bearer. As seen in Frankenstein, Victor’s creation causes him to become physically ill as he had spent years alone designing it, trying to create life. In both genres of stories knowledge is the common denominator found between Frankenstein and Into the Wild in regards to the characters’ demise. It is something that slowly tears them limb from limb and consumes their every move. All in all, the message here is clear: just as McCandless wrote in his journal before he passes, “Happiness Only Real When Shared,” generalizing the idea that isolation and independence can only acquire happiness and success for so long.

Class Discussion Response

In completing the Knight's Tale, it is fair to say that Chaucer was in fact a chauvinist or woman hater. The Knight's Tale introduces a woman by the name of Emily whose purpose in the story can be defined by her physical features. In this story she is seen as something great that is out of reach. She is the carrot dangling in front of a horse, the cookie jar in the tallest cabinet, out of reach from children, she is a woman whose physical features and beautiful essence surpass that of Palamon and Arcite. Emily, in the knights tale seems to be nothing more than a trophy. Her unsophisticated role in this story leads the reader to think that Chaucer was a chauvinist as women in this story seemed to be nothing more than physical objects, whose purity and moral way of life are no rewarded.

Final Society

I did not change my society because I felt that the combination of my civilians would have proven to be the most logical and amiable. In my society the most important roles are filled. Stephen Hawking’s represents a fraction of the intelligence in this society, as well as enlightenment and encouragement. Hawkings represents hope and the overcoming of obstacles, which is an essential task to learn when being in a society and in life. Other members such as Elizabeth Bennet and David Alfaro fulfill represent understanding of the world around them and a separate way of thinking. In society it is important to have people who can think beyond the boundaries of what we are trained to think at an early age as they can see the world through a different lens, potentially offering great insight to those who see through the lens of the majority. Other members such as Bill Cosby work to entertain the people of the society, making sure that happiness and laughter is not scarce. Following entertainment in the list of reasons as to why I kept my society the same is military. Every society needs some form of protection or military force, which is where Robin Hood comes in. His superior military tactics are not a force to be reckoned with and are further complimented by his loyalty to the people. After all, nothing is right in a society unless it agrees with or compliments its other aspects.

This society in fact has its flaws. One of its flaws can be found in the fact that there is only one female member of society. This can be a negative feature of society simply because there is only one female member of society which goes against the common saying, “two is better than one.” Another flaw in this society is that each member withholds different beliefs both politically and religiously. Further disagreement in these categories could potentially lead to violence. The flaws in this society mainly rely on each individual person and how they are willing to interact with one another, after all it is human nature to feel a sense of disagreement in regards to others ideas or character.

Ideal Society

Stephen Hawking: Stephen Hawkings' role in this society would be that of a scientist and leader. His intelligence and ability to perform at incomparable levels, despite his condition, allow him to be viewed as an enlightener, inspiring others through his own life and achievements and through living by example. Stephen Hawkings' power is not found in his inability to move or speak but in his charisma and liveliness that is existent in a lifeless body. Hawking's is an essential piece of my ideal society because he represents the greatest qualities in a leader.

Robin Hood: Robin Hood's role in society is that of warrior, dreamer, and teacher. His loyalty to the people and willingness to throw himself into harms way for the goodness of the others reflect his warrior-eske personality. The common idea associated with Robin Hood, take from the rich and give to the poor, resembles his dream of equality among men of different classes, as well as liberty among the people. Through his acts of immoral charity he is able to instill a sense of hope and determination into the people which is a well needed characteristic when times get rough.

Elizabeth Bennet: Elizabeth Bennet's role in society is that of a female leader and dreamer. Her futuristic persona and way of thinking represent her ability to be a female leader, in addition to her willingness to speak her mind no matter the audience. She is ahead of her time and does not settle for less that she wants. These characteristics truly are essential to being a leader.

Bill Cosby: Bill Cosby's role in society is that of an entertainer, scholar, teacher(through his comedy). Through the comedy he creates about every day life Cosby is able to reach a broad spectrum of audiences ranging from young adults to elder folk. His comedy relates to the average family life, teaching people about every day life and dilemmas while murdering them with laughter. He would be an essential part of society to help people take a look at themselves.

David Alfaro Siqueiros: David's role in society is that of an artist who's masterpieces usually reflect the government's effect on the people of society, especially in Hispanic communities. David is an essential part of my ideal society because he is able to live in one world made up of art and politics, as opposed to separating the two. It is important to be able to live one identity and recognize the world around you than live two, and be oblivious to what is really happening. through his art he can keep the society true to its values.

The Stages of Courtly Love

The Stages of Courtly Love Today
-Attraction to the lady, usually via brief but decisive eyes/glances
-Familiarize yourself with that person through a temporary friendship
-Declaration of interest(declaration of immense passionate devotion could be viewed as a turn off or obsessiveness)
-Acceptance/playful banter by the lady
-Introduction/up keeping of faithfulness
-Be yourself
-Avoid temptation from others
-Act as though you are seeing your lady for the first time every day (which should be a positive mutual feeling)
-Never put down your lady outside the context of humor
-As you age do not allow your heart to mimic the effects of your body, allow it to be its own body and represent the same power that it did since day one

Essential Question #4 Part B

Hrothgar's farewell to Beowulf is both kind-hearted and extremely discomforting. His farewell basically generalizes the idea that Beowulf will one day be destroyed.That one day natures finest element will come knocking on his front door asking him to follow. This element is death and it will come, Hrothgar says, whether through battle or through old age. The worshiped, god-like Beowulf is not god like after all as he is only human. He constantly says that Beowulf's time will come.In addition to Hrothgar's rather interesting philosophical interpretation of Beowulf's fate he begins telling Beowulf of his unconditional gratitude to God. "Thus I thank the Creator, the Eternal Lord, that after our afflictions i have lived to see, to see with my own eyes this blood-stained head"(Lines 1762-1764). Obviously Hrothgar says this quote as he is overcome in joy in being able to gaze down on Grendel's bloody head for the first and last time. However, he does not really thank Beowulf here, he sort of hints that he is grateful for Beowulf's arrival in this farewell speech. Maybe he gave Beowulf a wink of appreciation after telling him that he was eventually going to die, or maybe even a pat on the head, after all he seems to be quite a character. It does not seem like Hrothgar uses his time to say farewell to express his unconditional gratitude. It seems as though he told Beowulf that he must, in modern English, live life to the fullest as it passes by quicker than expected. Hrothgar says that he has fought many battles and is overwhelmed in joy in the fact that he gazes down on Grendel's bloody face for the first and last time. Hrothgar indirectly thanks and blatantly warns Beowulf that the good things in life (which is the gift of life) never last and that he should live like never before, before it is all ripped away from his pulverizing grip and stripped from his very indestructible character.

Essential Question # 3

Wealtheow, in Beowulf, is portrayed as a very humble, kind-hearted woman who was, "adorned with gold." In the poem the purpose that Wealtheow fulfills is that of a hostess. When introduced into the novel she is described to be dressed in wealth and greeting the many men in the hall, offering drinks to all as praise for their presence. She can be seen as a goddess who knows no evil and is a representation of nurturing love and care. In the poem Wealtheow is a servant to some extent, offering drinks to all the men in Heorot, and taking care of her king as a mother would care for her child. She sets the stage for what Anglo-Saxon women might have been like, humble, kind, loyal, beautiful, and obligated to serve to some extent. Wealtheow's introduction into the poem is brief but resembles what women of that time period might have been like.