Mythology and Folklore
Saturday, December 2, 2017
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I changed my display name in Canvas because I do not go by my first name. I chose the picture I did for my avatar because it is one of the only professional pictures of myself that I have.
Tech Tip: Canvas Mobile App
I downloaded the Canvas app on my iPhone. It looks like it will be really useful for the rest of this semester as well as for next semester. Instead of having to go to Safari and logging into Canvas every time, I will now be able to easily check my grades.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part B
(Stories of Beowulf Slave Stealing Golden Cup: Wikimedia Commons)
I like how the story sets up Grendel’s first appearance. It’s
so ominous and eerie which makes me want to know what happens even more. I also
didn’t know that Grendel could cast spells which is a nice surprise because it makes
him an even bigger threat for Beowulf.
It must have been terrifying for Beowulf watching Grendel eat
one of his friends. The spell made it to where Beowulf was kind of frozen which
couldn’t have made matters any better.
I like how the epic fight between Beowulf and Grendel was in
silence and had no witnesses. It would be funny if Beowulf declared he had
Grendel’s arm, but the others didn’t believe him or something.
I knew that the king and queen praising Beowulf was going to
jinx everything. Nothing ever goes well when characters celebrate too early.
It’s good to see that Unferth had a change of heart and gives
Beowulf his sword.
Beowulf has to be one of the bravest people alive to go into
that lake alone. I like much respect everyone has for him because normally they
would try to stop a person from doing this.
I love how the Beowulf had to basically get lucky in order
to beat Grendel’s mother. I was expecting Beowulf to just somehow find strength
and defeat her, but the tiniest moment of relaxation from his mother gave
Beowulf an opening.
I don’t like how the Danes left because they lost hope of
seeing Beowulf again. I would’ve been a little mad about that if I were Beowulf.
It is fitting that Beowulf became king. I don’t think anyone
else deserves it more than him.
I like how even though Beowulf almost died he still wants to
have another adventure like that.
I honesty expected Beowulf to be like okay guys I can do
this on my own don’t worry. I thought it would be similar to when he fought
Grendel’s mother.
Never mind, he does go alone. It’s interesting how Beowulf
knows that this will be his last adventure. It’s sad at the same time.
I just realized that all of their swords have names. I think
I could make this a humorous aspect in my retelling.
It’s actually really sad how Beowulf dies. His men deserted
him, but he forgave them before he died. Beowulf might be my favorite character
from all the readings so far.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part A
(Siegfried, the hero of the North, and Beowulf, the hero of the Anglo-Saxons (1909): Wikimedia Commons)
I already like this story from the first paragraph. It makes
me picture the Spartans from the movie 300.
I like how the warriors have a soft side to them. I feel
like a lot of the time we don’t see both sides, but only see their serious
side. It makes them more human in my eyes.
The comradery and family vibe everyone gives off is pretty
great to see. You can tell how close they all are to each other.
It’s interesting how the race between Beowulf and Breca
lasted five days. I can’t even imagine how tough that would have been.
I feel like this is the first time I have read a story where
the main character wanted war. It’s kind of funny how Beowulf is sad how he can’t
test his strength properly.
The Wanderer’s song is a really pivotal part of the story. I’m
assuming this song makes Beowulf want to go defeat Grendel and test his strength.
If I retell this part I will need to incorporate something like the Wanderer’
song.
I could possibly make the moment where Beowulf announces he’s
going to defeat Grendel a humorous one since it’s kind of awkward how he does
this and the reaction of the everyone else in the room.
I like how they made such a big deal when Beowulf was leaving.
However, if I retell this part I might make it to where it’s like a really
short farewell ceremony or not have one at all to be funny.
I’m surprised that none of the sea monsters attacked their
ship. I would think that maybe some sort of conflict would happen.
For some reason I wish the Guardian of the Beach would have
messed with Beowulf. Like maybe telling him he has to pay a certain fee or
solve a riddle, but then telling him that he’s just messing around.
I like how desolate and ominous the forest is. It really
sets the scene and I could picture it. It’s like something from a zombie apocalypse
type movie.
It’s sad how the Danes can’t enjoy the banquet since they
haven’t had anything to celebrate in twelve years.
I’m really curious to see Beowulf’s reaction to Unferth
calling him out. I would be pretty mad if I were Beowulf because this guy is
trying to embarrass him in front of everybody.
I love Beowulf's response. It really puts Unferth in his place which is great because he is a very unlikable character.
I love Beowulf's response. It really puts Unferth in his place which is great because he is a very unlikable character.
Bibliography: The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Reading Notes: King Arthur, Part B
(Statue of Excalibur, Kingston Maurward: Wikimedia Commons)
I like how the knight knows he’s not the best but basically
says “Screw it” and puts the shield on anyways.
I wonder why the mysterious knight had to hurt him in order
to get the shield from him. He proved his point, but I feel like he could have
done it a different way.
I feel bad for Lancelot. I don’t know much about him, but he
seems like a good guy. I like how he realizes the errors of his ways though.
I am not a fan of the part with Sir Percivale. There isn’t
really anything exciting and I found myself bored the whole time. I won’t be
retelling this part of the story.
It’s interesting how Lancelot keeps getting reminded how he
is pretty much not fit to seek holy things. Once again, I feel bad for him, but
he needs to start changing his ways.
I like the mysterious
aspect that this story includes with the random voices, visions, and other
weird occurrences. I could try to incorporate this into my own retelling.
Sir Bors is a nice contrast to the other knights because he
is cleansed of his sins and is trying to change his ways. I feel like he will
definitely make it to the end.
I think it’s weird how Galahad doesn’t ask any questions,
but blindly follows this random woman. I would like these guys to be a little
harder to persuade. It seems like he heard her say the word adventure and he
didn’t care what else came after it.
I like how some of the knights get reunited. It is nice to
see them with so much joy when seeing each other for the first time in a while.
It’s sad how the voice tells Galahad and Lancelot that they
will never see each other again. This is probably especially hard for Lancelot
since Galahad is his son.
Although I like the dramatic and intense ending, I didn’t
really like part B as a whole. Part A was a lot better in my opinion so I will
probably choose to retell something from that section.
Bibliography: King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang, illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902).
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Reading Notes: King Arthur, Part A
(King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table: Wikimedia Commons)
I like the idea of having basically a competition to see who
can be the King. I could have fun with this simple concept and modernize it.
The fact that Arthur nonchalantly takes the sword out of the
stone is great. He didn’t even know the implications of what he was doing. It
also shows Arthur’s character when he doesn’t like how his father and brother
kneeled before him. He seems like a humble person.
The scene where Merlin tells Arthur his future is really
interesting. He says it so confidently that you don’t doubt him. Now I am wondering
how it will happen since Arthur knows his fate and might try to change.
I didn’t know how much Merlin helped Arthur. I’m familiar
with this story, but I thought Merlin was just a wizard and he’s basically
acting like Arthur’s guardian angel.
I really like the part where Merlin tells Arthur he has to
ask the Lady of the Lake nicely for the sword. It’s seriously like Merlin is
his dad who is looking out for Arthur.
I like the origin story of how Arthur got the Round Table. I
didn’t know the background of the Round Table before this. I also like the part
where he makes Tor a knight. Tor wanting to be a knight reminds me of the movie
A Knight’s Tale which I could retell.
I feel really bad for Merlin because he loves this woman,
but she uses him and makes fun of him. It’s strange to me how he doesn’t have
the willpower to say no to her though. It’s messed up how Vivien uses the magic
that Merlin taught her to bury him.
I think Morgan le Fay goes overreacts by trying to kill
Arthur. I understand that he killed the man she loved, but it’s still her
brother and he was protecting their kingdom. I like how the Lady of the Lake
saves him from the enchanted mantle.
I wish it would have been explained how the squire actually
got stabbed. Was it a dream or did those events actually happen in reality?
I’m curious as to why Arthur couldn’t just stop the knights
from leaving. I would think that he has more power over them then to just let
them leave and neglect their duties.
Bibliography: King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang, illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902).
Sunday, November 5, 2017
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