Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part B

Story source: The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs

Once I read the Beowulf stories through again I realized how much detail they hold. Each battle and landscape described beautifully to really grab the reader. These are much more clear and understandable than the other stories I have read and I have enjoyed them immensely. In the second half of the Beowulf stories there is mostly tales of his heroic adventures battling Grendel, Grendel's mother, and The Dragon that hoards Geatsland treasure. Beowulf really finds himself in this time because he is really challenged. He loves the danger of it all and often goes into battle alone. These stories end reminding us that Beowulf is a mortal man even though he seems godlike. His battle with the dragon is his last and his dear friend is there to be a gentle hand and someone to listen to his dying wishes.

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Beowulf slaying Grendel Here is a link to my storybook website about Beowulf and his many thrilling adventures.

Week 9 Story: The Shark and the Seal

Bibliography: This story is originally written by A. L. Shelton as The Tiger and the Frog Seal escaping jaws of shark There was once a very old shark that was making its way to the reef to fill its stomach. The shark had not eaten in a couple of days and felt very weak indeed. As the shark was gliding through the sparkling blue waters a baby seal up ahead saw him and became very frightened. The seal quickly came up with a plan as the shark drew near. The shark was about to pass by when the seal squeaked, "what are you up to?" The shark slowly turned around and said, "I am in search for food. I have not eaten in two days and I feel very weak. You would be a good meal but you are very small." The seal made sure to puff out its chest when it said, "I am the king of seals. I am strong. To test this lets see who can make it across that trench the quickest." The shark accepted this trial and made to burst off across the the trench. Before the shark sped ...

Reading notes: Italian Popular Tales, Part A

Story source: Italian Popular Tales by Thomas Frederick Crane (1885). Damsel in distress All of these stories had a similar theme. I noticed that the number three was found in each introduction. Maybe three makes the most well-rounded story. These stories are also very black and white. If you do something, usually a man, thinks is wrong it is, "off with your head" or "send them to the dungeon to be hanged." There is no explanation, just death. And then a bargain is made so that person, usually a woman, can live. The punishment is always so much more harsh than the crime. The women in these stories are treated very poorly and are considered very little. There is not any discussion of how the characters feel, especially the women who are frequently the victims of a child stolen from a witch, a father wanted to murder them, a prince giving them no option on whether they will marry or not. And the woman just goes along with it. No argument at all. I think if...

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