1. What genres do the following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ?
Voluspa, Volsunga Saga, Beowulf, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Remember to give some examples from these texts that support your identification (for example: "Voluspa is an example of the _____ genre, as the following references to gods from the poem illustrate: "Hear my words / you holy gods' (l.1) "By Odin's Will I'll speak the ancient lore" (l.3), etc).
2. What are some possible features of residual (or "secondary") orality preserved in Voluspa, according to the criteria Ong (1982) advances?
3. Identify a central incident that happens in at least four of the above texts, and discuss how it is both similar and different in each example (remember to cite from the original texts).
4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
5. Discuss how Tolkien's use of "tradition" (e.g. older literary sources) differs from the techniques and agendas of modernism (see Week 7 in your Reader).
6. Identify some recent films, TV shows and/or games which have brought back some of the old gods and heroes from obscurity. What place do the old myths have in the modern world?
7. How does the film Beowulf and Grendel "problematise" the hero-myth of Beowulf ? [Subject to viewing]
8. Discuss what you think any of these texts desire (in the sense of their intention, how they wish to be received, what pleasures they offer, etc).
What genres do the following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ?
ReplyDelete• Beowulf is an example of the epic genre, as the following references to heros from the poem illustrate: “It threw the hero into deep anguish and darkened his mood” (Heaney, 1999, p. 74) “Now, earth, hold what earls once held and heroes can no more; It was mined from you first” (Heaney, 1999, p. 71)
• Voluspa is an example of the mythological genre, as the following references from the poem illustrate: “the holy gods met to give judgement” (Bellows, 1936, l.22) “the holy gods took counsel together” (Bellows, 1936, l.23)
• The Hobbit is another example of the epic/fantasy genre, the following reference helps to illustrate this: “There was a hiss, a gushing whirl, and then silence. And that was the end of Smaug and Esgaroth, hut not of Bard” (Tolkein, 1937, p. 238)
• Volsunga Saga is an example of a legendary saga (which takes place before the colonization), the following reference helps to illustrate this “some are of the kin of the Aesir, and some are of the Elfin kin, and some there are who are daughters of Dvalin” (Morris & Magnussun, 1888, p. 10)
How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
• Tolkien’s character Gandalf, is named from the Old Norse words gandr (meaning magic staff) and álfr (meaning elf) (Shippey, 1992, p. 88). The name also appears in Voluspa.
• The Language of Dale is based on the language Volsunga Saga is written in and would’ve been called Norsk Tonge (Norwegiant Tongue) (Tolkein Gateway, 2019)
Identify some recent films, TV shows and/or games which have brought back some of the old gods and heroes from obscurity. What place do the old myths have in the modern world?
Obvious examples of some recent films who have incorporated the old gods into their modern story telling would be the Thor trilogy (2011, 2013 and 2017). In these films we see gods such as Loki, Odin, Freya and Valhalla (And Thor of course).
The popular tv show Vikings (2013) was inspired by the sagas of Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the best known legendary Norse heroes (Evans, 2018). Although it is important to note that both of these new medias are not historically accurate representations of these old texts, only inspired from them.
Identify a central incident that happens in at least four of the above texts, and discuss how it is both similar and different in each example (remember to cite from the original texts).
A main event in Beowulf, The Hobbit, Volsunga Saga and LOTR would be the slaying of a beast, In Beowulf, the beast is a dragon “the dragon began to belch out flames” (Bellows, 1936, p. 73), in The Hobbit, also a dragon “fire leaped from the dragon’s jaws” (Tolkein, 1937, p. 235), Volsunga Saga, a giant worm “the worm crept over the pits” (Morris & Magnussun, 1888, p. 59) and in the Lord of the Rings, a great spider “she served none but herself, drinking the blood of Elves and Men,” (Tolkein, 1954, p. 723).
Bellows, H. A. (1936). The Poetic Edda. California, United States: CreateSpace
Independent Publishing Platform
Evans, E. (2018, March 6). ‘Vikings’ creator Michael Hirst on the real history behind the
hit drama. HistoryExtra. Retrieved from: https://www.historyextra.com/
Heaney, S. (1999). Beowulf: a new translation. United States: W. W. Norton & Company
Morris, W. & Magnussun, E. (1888). The Story of the Volungs (Volsunga Saga). London:
Walter Scott Press.
Shippey, T. A. (1992). The Road to Middle-Earth. United Kingdom: Allen & Unwin.
Tolkein Gateway. (2019). Language of Dale. Retrieved from:
http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Language_of_Dale
Toklein, J. R. R. (1937). The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. United Kingdom: Allen &
Unwin.
Tolkein, J. R. R. (1954). The Lord of the Rings. United Kingdom: Allen & Unwin.
1. What genres do the following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ?
ReplyDeleteVoluspa is a mythological poem. It involves gods, rather than heroes. The opening line, "Hear my words / You holy gods," (l. 1, Terry, 1990; 1966), reveals the mythological characteristics of this poem. Beowulf, however, is an epic involving a human hero. After slaying Grendel and Grendel's mother, Beowulf came to the throne, and "ruled it well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land," (Heaney, 1999). This illustrates that, yes, he was a wise leader, but he was not a god. He was one hundred percent human. Volsunga Saga is a legendary saga. There are no gods, but there is a human hero. Tolkien's Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy style epic. In the opening of the Hobbit, it references kings, not gods; "Perhaps the King under the mountain is forging gold" (Tolkien, 1997; 1937).
Voluspa and Hobbit are centered around creation and the beginning of time. Written at different times, and aimed at different audiences, there are distinct differences between the two accounts of creation. Voluspa, a myth, illustrates creation in a world with gods. Different mythological gods appear throughout the account bringing about different stages of creation. The first living beings, Ash and Embla, represented by trees, were brought to life by the gods. "These did not breath, nor think nor speak, / they had no hair, no fairness of face, / Odin gave life's breath, Hoenir gave mind, / Lodur gave hair, fairness of face" (Terry, 1990; 1966). Tolkien's Hobbit, however, does not involve gods, but rather kings and dragons. Throughout both oral and written English history, there had not been an account of creation. However, the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series served as a gap filler in English history. The fantasy epic set out to redefine English history. So, although Voluspa and Tolkien's works each deal with creation, they are drastically different in their methods of telling stories of the beginning of time.
The four works being discussed all come out of very different literary periods. Voluspa and Beowulf were produced around the 8th-11th centuries, Volsunga Saga during the 13th century, and Hobbit and Lord of the Rings during the early 20th century. This means that context and audiences vary between the works. Voluspa and Volsunga Saga are both of Scandinavian origin. It can be assumed that the audiences were similar despite the time periods being different. The line "By Odin's will / I'll speak the ancient lore," (Terry, 1990; 1966), would have resonated and been understood by the intended audience. Odin was well known among the Icelandic society during those times. Although Volsunga Saga, unlike Voluspa, is a legendary saga and does not include the realm of gods, it is still aimed a similar audience; the Scandinavian people. It is a poetic rendition of the rise and fall of the Volsung Clan including power struggles among Sigurd's ancestors, as well as, the slaying of dragons. The Volsung Clan would have been a familiar topic and history to the Scandinavian people. So, although these two pieces are different genres, they both targeted similar demographics.
2. What are some possible features of residual (or "secondary") orality preserved in Voluspa, according to the criteria Ong (1982) advances?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Ong's Orality and Literacy, some works can have residual orality within the text. This means that despite it being a written text, it includes a previous oral background or characteristic. Ong says, "The electronic age is also an age of 'secondary orality', the orality of telephones, radio, and television, which depends on writing and print for its existence" (Ong, 1982). Secondary orality provides a record that can be revisited, whereas, in primary orality, cultures solely depend on oral methods to preserve information. Secondary orality brings about a new type of human subject. Primary orality created a strong sense of community, however, with evolution of secondary orality, human have become much more individual. Ong suggests that when writing comes to a culture, the features of primary orality tend to disappear. It becomes secondary orality, yet keeps roots in primary orality. An example of this can be seen in the opening line of Voluspa, "Hear my words / you holy gods," (Terry, 1990;1966). This line references oral tradition within the written text. The roots of this written text is in primary orality. Features of residual (secondary) orality is also found in the third line, "/ I'll speak the ancient lore," (Terry, 1990;1966). This gives it the effect of an ancient oral tale, yet it is a written text. The worlds of primary and secondary orality collide in Voluspa.
3. Identify a central incident that happens in at least four of the above texts, and discuss how it is both similar and different in each example.
Voluspa, Beowulf, Volsunga Saga, and Hobbit all include the slaying of some type of beast. In three out of the four, the hero, or god in Voluspa, receive a death wound. In Volsunga Saga, the beast that is slayed is a worm, "Now when that mighty worm was ware that he had his death‐ wound, then he lashed out head and tail, so that all things soever that were before him were broken to pieces" (Morris & Magnussun, 1888). In Voluspa, Thor defeats the dragon, yet receives a death wound; "nine steps beyond the Serpent's body, / Thor, wounded, walks in pride" (Terry, 1990;1966). This means that he took nine victorious steps before the death wound brought him down. However, in Beowulf and Hobbit it is a dragon. This is revealed in the following quote where Bard, the hero, says, "The dragon is coming or I am a fool!" (Tolkien, 1997;1937).
4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
ReplyDeleteTolkien's works were greatly influenced by Norse mythology. He used references and characters from the Volsunga Saga. This is where he got the idea of the One Ring and the sword Narsil (Wikipedia.com). Germanic mythology heavily influenced Tolkien's creation of the Elves and Dwarves. In particular, Voluspa was a major source used by Tolkien. A line in stanza 9 clealy reveals that it influenced the creation of Tolkien's dwarves, "To find who should raise / the race of dwarfs" (Bellows, 1936). This shows that dwarfs predated the creation of mankind in the beginning of time. The picture of Middle-earth and the universe Tolkien uses is also from Voluspa. Evidence of this claim can be seen in the following quotes: "Then Bur's sons / lifted up the land / and made Midgard, / men's fair dwelling;" and "I know how nine roots form nine worlds under the earth where the Ash Tree rises" (Terry, 1990;1966). Lastly, the name Gandalf originates from Old Norse language. The name means "wand elf" in Old Norse. When broken up, gandr means "wand or staff" and alfr means "elf". This name was derived from a dwarf character in Voluspa.
6. Identify some recent films, TV shows and/or games which have brought back some of the old gods and heroes from obscurity. What place do old myths have in the modern world.
The Marvel-produced Thor trilogy has become a world-renowned film series. It has brought to life the old Germanic myths like Voluspa, and includes gods such as Thor, Loki, Odin, and even Freya. In 2005, Beowulf and Grendel was produced and attempted to retell the story of the hero Beowulf. Additionally, the TV series Vikings is based on the famous sagas of Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary hero of old Norse (Groeneveld, 2018).
The idea of old myths being brought to the modern world through technology could either be very good or very bad. It could be very good if it is done right and portrays accurate information. However, sometimes it can be twisted and land very far from its original text or source. The old myths and legends are important pieces of history among many cultures. It is important that is preserved amongst their people. However, when it is twisted in a film, it could be offensive to those who hold it close to their heritage. It is important to note that many productions have done a good job at preserving the original stories, but some have made it so different that it doesn't even tell the same tale. It is essential that the legends and myths are respected and portrayed properly in the modern world.
SOURCES
Bellows, H.A. (1936). The Poetic Edda. California, United States: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Groeneveld, E. (2018, August 31). Ragnar Lothbrok. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/Ragnar_Lothbrok/
Heaney, S. (1999). Beowulf: a new translation. United States: W. W. Norton & Company
Morris, W. & Magnussun, E. (1888). The Story of The Volsungs (Volsunga Saga). London: Walter Scott Press
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1937). The Hobbit. United Kingdom: Allen & Unwin.
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1954). The Lord of the Rings. United Kingdom: Allen & Unwin.
The Marvel is a great example of a movie that brings back mythology because is includes gods like Thor, Loki, and Odin. It also shows different cultures of each hero and what they bring as each character in the movie.
DeleteIt is interesting how Tolkien was heavily inspired by the Volsunga Saga and used Old Norse language in the Hobbit. You used good evidence to back up your claims on how he used old Norse language in his works. The mention of the dwarf character was something I did not know about and think it is very interesting!
Delete4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
ReplyDeleteTolkien had passion in Old Norse language all throughout his life. The novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take on similar characteristics to Old Norse and Old English text traditions. Many characters involved are taken from Old Norse tradition, for example, elves in particular. However, the use of the character Gandalf is to be considered as one of the most essential aspect. Odin- the God in Old Norse texts- was described as a wizard wearing a large brimmed hat. Gandalf in the novel is also a wizard wearing a large brimmed hat. It may be argued that Gandalf is a physical human representation of the Norse God Odin (Krieg, 2014)
The setting in both novels- Middle Earth (Midgard) is the land of men is another reference to Old Norse myth. This basically allowed Tolkien to expand on the whole concept and gave him unlimited creativity. The Hobbits share characteristics of Icelanders of the famous family sagas (Clair, 1995). They both like to dress fancy and show an exaggerated warm hospitality. A similarity between Beowulf and The Hobbit that can be mentioned is the dragon attack in both novels. Both stories have stolen treasure from the dragon, the dragon attacks the nearby town and is slain.
Reference:
St. Clair, G. (1995). An overview of the northern influences on Tolkien’s work.
J.R.R Tolkien Centenary Conference, 64-66.
Krieg, K. (2014). What we get from Norse Mythology. Received from: https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=aHq7BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA27&dq=norse+mythology+tolkien
Tolkien, J.R.R.(1997;1937).TheHobbit,London:HarperCollins, pp.ix;233-242,
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1993;1954). The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. London, HarperCollins,
Sorry, I posted my comment earlier and my name is shown as unknown (for some reason) so I'm posting again!
ReplyDelete4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
Tolkien had passion in Old Norse language all throughout his life. The novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take on similar characteristics to Old Norse and Old English text traditions. Many characters involved are taken from Old Norse tradition, for example, elves in particular. However, the use of the character Gandalf is to be considered as one of the most essential aspect. Odin- the God in Old Norse texts- was described as a wizard wearing a large brimmed hat. Gandalf in the novel is also a wizard wearing a large brimmed hat. It may be argued that Gandalf is a physical human representation of the Norse God Odin (Krieg, 2014)
The setting in both novels- Middle Earth (Midgard) is the land of men is another reference to Old Norse myth. This basically allowed Tolkien to expand on the whole concept and gave him unlimited creativity. The Hobbits share characteristics of Icelanders of the famous family sagas (Clair, 1995). They both like to dress fancy and show an exaggerated warm hospitality. A similarity between Beowulf and The Hobbit that can be mentioned is the dragon attack in both novels. Both stories have stolen treasure from the dragon, the dragon attacks the nearby town and is slain.
Reference:
St. Clair, G. (1995). An overview of the northern influences on Tolkien’s work.
J.R.R Tolkien Centenary Conference, 64-66.
Krieg, K. (2014). What we get from Norse Mythology. Received from: https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=aHq7BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA27&dq=norse+mythology+tolkien
Tolkien, J.R.R.(1997;1937).TheHobbit,London:HarperCollins, pp.ix;233-242,
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1993;1954). The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. London, HarperCollins,
1.What genres do the following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ?
ReplyDeleteVoluspa, Beowulf, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Voluspa is an example of the mythological genre, in the form of a poem, as the following references to gods illustrate: "Hear my words / you holy gods' (l.1) "By Odin's Will I'll speak the ancient lore" (l.3) Voluspa’s purpose may be similar to the Books of Genesis and the Book of Revelations, the stories of the creation and Second Coming in Christianity, where it illustrates the formation of the world and the end of the world and the renewal of the Earth.
Beowulf is an example of Epic poetry, taking Northern European roots whereby the hero has battled great beasts and goes further to defeat Grendel, the sea hag and finally, after 50 years, the dragon before his death catches him. Seeing as Beowulf emerges in the 10th century at the origins of English literature, it is surmised that its purpose is to fill in the English history and lore lost during the Roman colonisation period.
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are examples of epics, dealing with the legends of man. You could argue that such characters as elves, dwarfs and even the Balrog have roots in Norse Mythology, serving to fill in the gaps of English literature and aimed to recreate England’s lost mythology, taking inspiration from other European myths and Norse Mythology (Midgard=Middle Earth)
3. Identify a central incident that happens in at least three of the above texts, and discuss how it is both similar and different in each example (remember to cite from the original texts).
A central incident in the above texts is the narrative of the hero battling a dragon/serpent to the point where both receive their death-blow. Thor battles the serpent Garm, “Far-famed Thor, the son of Earth, the son of Odin, goes forth to fight the Snake,” (Terry,P, 1990 & 1966, p. 4) Beowulf battles the dragon, “I would rather not use a weapon if I knew another way to grapple with the dragon and make good my boast as I did against Grendel in days gone by….” (Heaney, S. 1999, p. 77) and Bard gives Smaug the final blow with the black arrow:
“"Arrow!" said the bowman. "Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!"
The dragon swooped once more lower than ever, and as he turned and dived down his belly glittered white with sparkling fires of gems in the moon — but not in one place. The great bow twanged. The black arrow sped straight from the string, straight for the hollow by the left breast where the foreleg was flung wide. In it smote and vanished, barb, shaft and feather, so fierce was its flight. With a shriek that deafened men, felled trees and split stone, Smaug shot spouting into the air, turned over and crashed down from on high in ruin.” (Tolkien, J. R. R. 1937, p. 236)
The first two central incidences are similar in the way that they have the hero character exhibiting the experience of having fought beasts and great monsters previously, hence the reason they have their title. The third one, however, stands off to the side a bit as the hero has history with this same beast and its more of a redemption story that another notch in his belt.
In the first question, that is a good point when you talk about The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I agree that these texts have a huge impact in English Literature today and inspire more people to read about Norse mythology.
Delete4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
ReplyDeleteTolkien drew upon the events of Beowulf and the dragon nestled in his hoard of gold, awoken by the theft of his jewels, for the characters and interactions between Smaug and Bilbo. He also, debatably, was inspired by the various worlds in Norse mythology to create his mythical characters such as the elves, dwarves, the Balrog (fire demon) and stone giants. He also sourced names like Gandalf from Norse mythology.
6. Identify some recent films, TV shows and/or games which have brought back some of the old gods and heroes from obscurity. What place do the old myths have in the modern world?
Recent films, tv shows, and games that have brought back old gods and heroes into the modern world include the Marvel Cinematic universe (characters such as Thor, Loki, Odin, and the other places/terms such as Asgard, Midgard, Ragnaroc/Ragnarok, and other Norse worlds and mythologies), The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings franchises, both directed by Peter Jackson but inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien’s books, the mythological action/adventure based video game series God of War (created by David Jaffe) and the fantasy adventure novels Percy Jackson and the Olympians (usually shortened to Percy Jackson) that both use the Ancient Greek gods, goddesses, symbols, characters and stories to support their own narratives.
By incorporating old myths and cultures widely disregarded as the norm in today’s modernised societies, these tropes involving courageous heroes, mythical beasts and extraordinary quests gain more traction as entertainment seeing as it’s a completely different lifestyle to what we deal with nowadays. The ability to take oneself away from the mundane life we experience and into another world far different and far more appealing for so many (why deal with sitting at a desk for hours on end when you can immerse yourself in stories about killing dragons and being a demigod?) gives these tropes a higher standing compared to other genres which we as a society have normalised such as romance and drama.
8. Discuss what you think any of these texts desire (in the sense of their intention, how they wish to be received, what pleasures they offer, etc).
On the most basic level, these texts desire to fill in gaps within legends and lore, to inform the audience of the history of Norse mythology, English literature and the ways of life. On one hand, we have Voluspa which involves mythology and prophetic themes to detail the creation and end of life as well as the role of the gods in both the creation and ending of life. On another hand, we have Beowulf which sought to entertain and serve as a basis of which English lore and culture sprouted from. Lastly, we have Tolkien’s works Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit which entertain using the same tropes seen in the previous works but is also threaded with Norse mythology. I do not believe they were wished to be seen as more than a glimpse of the history and culture from the time it was published, and I certainly do not believe they were created to force any religious or symbolic messages onto people. It is my understanding that these texts, though informative, function as myths and legends to entertain.
References:
Terry, P. (trans). (1990, 1966). Poems of the Elder Edda. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
Heaney, S. (Trans). (1999). Beowulf: a new translation. London: Penguin,pp 70-80.
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1997; 1937). The Hobbit, London: HarperCollins, pp.ix; 233-242,
1. What genres do following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ? Remember to give some examples from these texts that support your identification
ReplyDeleteVoluspa is an example of the northern European myth poem which is written by an unknown author. The following references from the pome illustrate - “I know how nine roots/ form nine worlds/ under the earth/ where the Ash Tree rises” (L7, L8) – the author’s intention to show the audiences that how the absolute God has created the worlds as well as the Ash Tree’s implication of the “cosmos” or “prominence that has a puzzled some scholars” (Dumont, 1992). In this case, the intended audiences will be the various people neither limited by age nor gender because this poem is originally created in oral way and kept by their next generations. The purpose might be to entertain in the tragic era and to have desire to be a hero by reading through the creation of the world and the god’s story so that they can indirectly gain honour.
Volsunga Saga is a heroic saga which can be known from the following references – And once again he spake, ʺA countenance of terror I bore up before all folk, after that I brooded over the heritage of my brother, and on every side did I spout out poison, so that none durst come anighme, and of no weapon was I adrad, nor ever had I so many men before me, as that I deemed myself not stronger than all; for all men were sore afeard of me.ʺ (Morris & Magnussun, 1888). As it can be seen, there are many old Norse English words and expressions, which I’ll be discussing further on Question number four. Since that time was 13th century as known as the chaos time in the Europe – purpose and audiences of the story should be similar to the Voluspa. Also, the youth would learn that too much desire towards the power will destroy their mind and thought.
Beowulf ‘s genre is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem - “Throughout the poem, we can see key essentials of the Anglo-Saxon Culture such as bravery, friendship, generosity, and loyalty” (Anonymous author). – and more than one of these features can be seen from this reference: “Beowulf spoke, made a formal boast for the last time: 'I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open.” (Heaney, 1999). This implicates that Beowulf had loyalty to his king so that he could fight against the dragon although his life is in danger and he also had bravery that will even fight off the evil. Therefore, this heroic story of Beowulf might impress people especially young Vikings who want to be a real man, a true hero and their will to fight would be motivated.
The hobbit and The Lord of the Rings which were written by Tolkien, is the genre of fantasy and epic novel as can be seen in the following references - “They removed northward higher up the shore; for ever after they had a dread of the water where the dragon lay.” (Tolkien, 1937, p.241). “The dark gates were swung open. The travellers entered, walking in file behind their guide. They found a broad path, paved with hewn stones, now winding upward, now climbing in short flights of well-laid steps.” (Tolkien, 1954, p.498). There is dragon which does not exist and hence is fictional, magical situations also happened in the story. The audiences and the purpose would be different from the ancient English myths and epics. The audiences would be children who would have unlimited imaginations and various ages of people who are interested in fantasy novel not those who want to be a hero in the war. The purpose of these novels will be to entertain people and give a lesson to them that greed on absolute power will ruin their lives.
2. What are some possible features of residual (or “secondary”) orality preserved in Voluspa, according to the criteria Ong (1982) advances?
ReplyDeleteOng (1982) states that “Oral cultures indeed produce powerful and beautiful verbal performances of high artistic and human worth, which are no longer even possible once writing has taken possession of the psyche.”. However, he continued to argue that without writing, the consciousness of human cannot maximize themselves’ beautiful and powerful potentials. Thus, literacy is obviously crucial for the orality and various fields of human development such as science, history, philosophy, detailed observation of literature and of any art, and the explanation of language itself (Ong, 1982). As can be seen, mainly Ong stated that the feature of residual orality could be preserved it’s root at primary orality (“the oral cultures”). Therefore, although Voluspa first created from a primary orality, it contains some possible features to be the written text and to be spread until now. For instance, “Here my words/ you holy gods” (L1) describes that the spoken words still could be the written text. As technology such as typing and printing has developed, an old, oral tale could be preserved as a secondary orality.
4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
As mentioned in Question number one, Volsunga saga and the other northern European myths and the epics contain similar features with Tolkien’s fantasy novels since he was deeply inspired by them. According to Rateliff (2007), Tolkien created the characters with a very little height, ‘Dwarves’ in The Hobbit (1937) which has derived from the Dvergatal from Voluspa (Rateliff, 2007). Moreover, Buckley (2017) said that “The geography of Middle Earth, the fantasy world in which the stories take place, greatly resemble aspects of geography in Norse mythology”. It is obvious that in North mythology, “Midgard “is the world in which men, dwarves, elves, and giants live and the similar concept is also preserved in Tolkien’s “Middle Earth”. She added that the meaning of “the rings” is the metaphor of the power in Norse poems (Buckley, 2017). For example, Volsunga saga contains the content of cursed ring (Andvaranut). Following reference supports this idea - Sigurd answered, ʺSuch as thy redes are I will nowise do after them; nay, I will ride now to thy lair and take to me that great treasure of thy kin. ʺ (Morris & Magnussun, 1888, p.12). This depicts that Sigurd’s blindness towards the power of the treasure which is very familiar to The Lord of the Rings.
6. Identify some recent films, TV shows and/or games which have brought back some of the old gods and heroes from obscurity. What place do the old myths have in the modern world?
ReplyDeleteThe game, League of Legends also contains the Norse mythological elements. The following references are from the league of legends North America server’s official site (2012):
Trunde – Troll: A troll is a supernatural being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In origin, one of the meanings of the term troll was a negative synonym for a jötunn (plural jötnar), a being in Norse mythology, although the word was also used about witches, berserkers and various other evil magical figures. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human beings.
Olaf - Berzerker(not entirely myth): Berserkers (or berserks) were Norse warriors who are reported in the Old Norse literature to have fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the English word berserk. Berserkers are attested to in numerous Old Norse sources. Most historians believe that berserkers worked themselves into a rage before battle, but some think that they might have consumed drugged foods.
Not only the Norse mythological characters but there are various countries’ mythological characters which can be chosen as a champion in this game. The purpose of this game is to beat the enemies and earn an honour in a team. Moreover, there is the element of fight with dragon as well as the other champions are supported by a supporter (or healer) which is very similar to the scene of Beowulf and Wiglaf did in the third battle with dragon.
To conclude, in the modern world, the old mythological elements are used and imitated in the various ways and these are still entertaining us even if it’s been a long time. Someone could argue that the preservation of the myth itself is important because it should be respected as a heritage. I agree to some extent, however, if a creator keeps the intellectual property right and clearly mentioned that it is originally from the old myth but not related to it at all, there will be no problem.
References
Anonymous Author. (n.d.). Anglo-Saxon Culture. Retrieved from https://snsbeowulf.weebly.com/anglo-saxon-culture.html
Buckley, C. (2017, September 11). How Icelandic Norse Mythology Influenced Tolkien. Retrieved from https://theculturetrip.com/europe/iceland/articles/how-icelandic-norse-mythology-influenced-tolkien/
Dumont, D. J. (1992). The Ash Tree In Indo-European Culture. Retrieved from https://www.musaios.com/ash.htm
Fisher, E. R. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/documents/innervate/13-14/02-ellen-fisher-q33407-pp-21-34.pdf
Heaney, S. (trans). (1999). Beowulf: a new translation. London: Penguin
League of Legends official (North America). (2012, July 18). League of Legends and it's use of Mythology in champions(WORDS!). Retrieved from http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=2370881
Morris, W. and Magnussun, E. (trans). (1888). The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga
Saga). London: Walter Scott Press
Ong, W. (1982). Orality and Literacy: the technologizing of the word.
London: Methuen. p.1-15
Rateliff, J.D. (2007), The History of The Hobbit, volume 2 Return to Bag-End, HarperCollins, Appendix III; ISBN 0-00-725066-5
Terry, P. (trans). (1990,1966). Poems of the Elder Edda. Philadelphia:
University of Pennsylvania Press
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1997; 1937). The Hobbit. London: HarperCollins
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1993;1954). The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
London, HarperCollins
1.What genres do the following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ?
ReplyDeleteVoluspa is an example of the mythological genre, as the following reference to gods from the poem illustrate: “ Then the holy gods met to give judgement, the holy gods took counsel together. They named night and night’s children” (Terry,P. 1990). In spite of its clearly pagan theme, the poem reveals Christian influence in its imagery. It’s commonly thought that the poem was composed in iceland about the year 1000.(Encyclopaedia B, )
Volsunga saga is an example of the legendary saga, Sigurd is the human hero in this legend, he was trying to kill the mighty worm,as the following reference from the poem illustrate: “Now crept the worm down to his place of watering, and the earth shook all about him, and he snorted forth venom on all the way before him as he went; but Sigurd neither trembled nor was adrad at the roaring of him. So when as the worm crept over the pits, Sigurd thrust his sword under his left shoulder, so that it sank in up to the hilts; then up leapt Sigurd from the pit and drew the sword back again unto him, and therewith was his arm all bloody, up to the very shoulder. Now when that mighty worm was ware that he had his death‐ wound, then he lashed out head and tail, so that all things soever that were before him were broken to pieces.” (Heaney, S. 1999, P9)
Beowulf is an example of epic genre.
The Hobbit is the genre of epic fantasy.
4. How did Tolkien draw on the Old Norse and Old English texts in his The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings fantasy novels? Provide some concrete examples.
Tolkien would have preferred to write the books entirely in Elvish, and continued to refine the language beyond the publication of The Lord of the Rings until his death, in works and papers both published and unpublished. He also developed, to varying degrees, several other languages for the inhabitants of Middle-earth, including Khuzdul, the Hebrew-flavoured language of the Dwarves; the "hideous" pidgin language of the Orcs; and the Black Speech, the sinister, slithery syllables spoken by the servants of Mordor and inscribed on the One Ring.(Darryn,K. 2014)
6. Identify some recent films, TV shows and/or games which have brought back some of the old gods and heroes from obscurity. What place do old myths have in the modern world.
There are lots of ancient legends or myths related today with our modern world. The myth of the Amazons remains alive and well today. Not only do these fierce warriors appear in ancient art found all over Greece, but they’re increasingly making their way into mainstream modern culture. Movies such as Marvel’s Wonder Woman portray these mythological women as brave and fierce warriors, helping them become a symbol of the feminist movement in Greece and around the world. Furthermore, Olympic Games is also an example of the enduring legacy of ancient Greek mythology. The games were so important that whenever they occurred, warring nations would implement a mandatory truce that would last throughout the duration of the games and the month leading up to them. (Sacred Earth, J. 2018) So, some of ancient myths were not only rooted in reality but are also alive today, they are able to guid people to discover themselves in order to understand the world around them.
References:
ReplyDeleteVöluspá. (2019, March 12). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Völuspá
Britannica, T. E. (2019, February 14). Beowulf. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Beowulf
Britannica, T. E. (2013, May 17). Völuspá. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Voluspa
Völsunga saga. (2019, March 10). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Völsunga_saga
Tolkien's Hobbit born of humble words. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/64491323/null
Sacred Earth Journeys. (2018, May 26). 3 Ancient Greek Myths That Remain Relevant in Today's World. Retrieved from http://www.sacredearthjourneys.ca/blog/3-ancient-greek-myths-remain-relevant-todays-world/
1. Voluspa is a mythological poem because of the features of gods and sons of the gods for example, “Far-famed Thor, the son of Earth, the son of Odin, goes forth to fight the Snake. Midgard’s defender dies triumphant but the human race no longer has a home: nine steps beyond the Serpent’s body, Thor, wounded, walks in pride. (Bellows, 1936 p. 4)”
ReplyDeleteVolsunga
Saga is a legendary saga because it is a medieval prose narrative that recounts the exploits of a hero or a family. “‘Speak Fafnir, and say, if thou art so exceeding wise, who are the Norns who rule the lot of all mothers’ sons’” (Morris and Magnussun, 1888,
p. 10).
Beowulf is an epic genre usually has a hero that is well-known with mighty strength, and a narrator. “The wide kingdom reverted to Beowulf. The ruled it well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land until one began to dominate the dark, a dragon on
the prowl from the steep vaults of a stone-roofed barrow” (Heaney, 1999, p. 4)...
The Hobbit is an epic high fantasy because there is use of magic and involves a sort of quest. This quote illustrates this, “for Bard at once had speedy messengers sent up the river to the Forest to ask for the aid of the King of the Elves of the Wood, and these
messengers had found a host already on the move” (Tolkein, 1937, p. 240)...
2. Some features of secondary orality preserved in Voluspa is an emergence of individual
identity when writing comes into the picture because information can be recorded and analytic thinking can be used that is not used in oral culture. For example,
Voluspa preserves features of primary orality by using evidence of “wars of words, eg as riddle or song contests, name-calling, and bragging…. Writing subdues the constant verbal jousting of oral cultures” (Ong, 1982:43-45). Orality is also homeostatic according to Ong, “Constant adjustment to maintain equilibrium or homeostasis. Writing records things but creates a desire for novelty and constant change” (Ong, 1982:46-49).
I think that your question two response brings up a good point on secondary orality. The idea of the written language bringing about analytical thinking is very interesting. I think it goes to show that secondary orality, through written language, can open doors to stronger thoughts and ideas. It is easier to work through problems when it is written out. It allows the mind to expand on ideas and discover new theories.
Delete3. A central incident that happens in Voluspa, Voluspa Saga, Beowulf, and The Hobbit is someone that becomes a hero due to fighting a large, evil creature such as a snake or dragon, and uses swords or arrows to kill
ReplyDeletethe creature.
In Voluspa, "Far-famed Thor, the son of the Earth, the son of Odin, goes forth to fight the Snake.... Midgrad's defender dies triumphant, but the human race no longer has a home: nine steps beyond the Serpent's body, Thor, wounded, walks in pride" (Ong
1948, p. 3).
In Beowulf, " A dragon on the prowl from the steep vaults of store-roofed barrow where he guarded a hoard" (Heaney, 1999, p. 5). "After many trials he was destined to face the end of his days in the mortal world; as was the dragon (Heaney, 1999, p. In Volsunga Saga an example is, "So whines the worm crept over the pits, Sigurd thrust his sword under his left shoulder, so that it sank it up to the hilts" (Morris and Magnussun,
1888, p. 9).
In The Hobbit, "Then Bard drew his bow-string to his ear. The dragon was
circling back... Fire leaped from the dragon's jaws. He circled for a while high in the air above them lighting all the lake... then he swooped straight through the arrow
storm, reckless in rage" (Tolkein, 1937, p. 235)...
4. Tolkien was influenced by Norse mythology and draws on the Old Norse and Old English texts in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. For example, he was heavily inspired by Volsunga Saga and the myth of Sigurd and Gurun. The figure of Gandolf is influenced by the Norse
deity Odin, and "promotes justice, knowledge, truth, and insight" (wikipedia.com).
8. Thor has become widely known in the modern world from the movie that brought
the old god to real life. Thor has appeared in countless comic books, Marvel movies, and video games. Thor still represents the son of Odin in the modern world, with being the god of thunder, tall and strong, with a magical hammer. Thor still represents Old Norse Mythology through the use of these.
References
Heaney, S. (1999). Beowulf: a new translation. United States: W. W. Norton & Company
J. R. R. Tolkien's influences. (2019, February 20). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien's_influences
Morris, W. & Magnussun, E. (1888). The Story of the Volungs (Volsunga Saga). London:
Walter Scott Press.
Tolkein Gateway. (2019). Language of Dale. Retrieved from:
http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Language_of_Dale
Toklein, J. R. R. (1937). The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. United Kingdom: Allen &
Unwin.
Tolkein, J. R. R. (1954). The Lord of the Rings. United Kingdom: Allen & Unwin.
1. Voluspa, Beowulf, Volsunga Saga,The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are all included in a genre of old classical english text, however, each story or poem has its own specific category of genre. The poem of Voluspa is a creation story about the earth coming to an end told through gods and more specifically, Odin. A mythological genre is expressed through this poem when Thor wins over the battle with the snake (Terry,1990,pg.4). The purpose for the author writing this poem is to express the study of norse mythology and inform people about ancient stories and the beginning of life from the past.
ReplyDeleteThe poem, Beowulf, is well-known in the 8th and 9th century as an epic story for expressing heroic events throughout the poem, such as Beowulf risking his life to kill invaders to save others from being killed. This is introduced when Beowulf says, “I risked my life often when I was young” (Heaney,1999,pg.4). The audience, such as poetry lovers, teachers, and students can interpret this and consider Beowulf as the hero or “good guy” of the story. A heroic story like this can help teach people what heros are and who they are suppose to be.
Volsunga Saga is a legendary epic story based more on a fairy tale, fictional story in the late 13th century that was written in Icelandic text. Volsunga Saga is an example of a heroic genre, as the following reference from Sigurd “unknown to men is my kin. I am called a noble beast” (Morris & Magnussun,1888,pg.11). Sigurd characterizes himself as a hero because he was placed under care of his father, Regin, who taught him life lessons. This poem is meant to entertain people with an interest in fictional fairy tales with many heroic themes while also help educate students to be able to read poetry and comprehend its value.
Another old english text, The Hobbit, is a popular story well-known for its modern fantasy and fictional story of imaginative creatures. In chapter nine, an important change in events of the story happens when “the roar of smaug’s terrible approach grew loud” (Tolkien,1997,pg.26). When the dragon, Smaug, came out of its habitat it was to fight against a predator. When the hobbit and all the dwarves wanted the treasure that the dragon was guarding, they wanted to fight against their enemy to be able to get it. This specific event in the story illustrates a fictional modern fantasy theme because none of these characters are something that could be in real life while also is a fantasy in children's literature because the story helps develop an imagination for the child. To conclude all of these literature texts are entertainment for many individuals that love reading while also help students learn how to read and interpret different styles of writing such as poems, fictional reads, and classical old english texts.
2. Secondary orality originated from primary orality which has certain features of language that cannot be recorded. Technology gave rise to secondary orality because when the language is spoken, it could be recorded by written text or text stored in computers. The cultures of society could be analyzed and lead to a diverse educated world. For example, when a pen was invented, writing became known which represented technology made of words and once writing became internalized it became the new way of communicating. As time when on the world became more educated culturally and politically with new technology. With computers arising in society we are able to record writings and historical texts today.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Ong’s work, Orality and Literacy, advances during this time period were gathered when primary orality became secondary orality. The advancement of when language became an oral phenomenon was illustrated through the work of Milman Parry in the novel Iliad and Odyssey (Ong,1982,pg.16). This advancement is also shown in a specific part of the poem Voluspa, “here my words, you holy gods” (Terry,1990,pg.2). This is an example of secondary orality because it is referencing to an oral tradition rather than the certain beginning features of language such as speaking or talking. This is a learned form of communication because the gods communicate to each other in a certain way that becomes a tradition.
Another feature of Voluspa is that it is tied into the advancements of secondary orality because it was written in a time period where people do not talk the same way today compared to the past. In other words, humans communicate today by connecting words together so a conversation could be understood. Ong said in his work, Orality and Literacy, writing gives a grapholect, a power far exceeding that of any purely oral dialect (Ong,1982,pg.17). This connects to the poem of Voluspa because it is written in Old English and still holds power to society by being a historical form of writing for students to be able to study. This is a form of secondary orality because it aids with technology and is recorded as a historical text.
Another example of secondary orality from Voluspa is, “by Odin’s will, I’ll speak the ancient lore” (Terry,1990,pg.2), This quote shows that there is history behind this poem according to Odin’s past. Ong said, “computer language resembles human languages in that they do not grow out of the unconscious but directly out of consciousness” (Ong,1982,pg.16). In other words, memorizing is not necessary for computer language because the text is recorded. The story behind “Odin’s will” is apart of the story that is not emphasized but it is most likely already recorded. This is also known as secondary orality because it originated from primary orality.
3. The four texts: Voluspa, Beowulf, Volsunga Saga, and The Hobbit all highlight a central incident that corresponds to many examples throughout the texts that have both similarities and differences. A central incident that took place in all four texts was the importance of having something of value in the end of the story such as a treasure or gold and a new beginning to a better world. All four of these old english texts exaggerate characters drive to go after the the product in the end and doing that involved killing and saving people to win happiness in the end.
ReplyDeleteThe first written text, Voluspa, is a poem that tells a story of the beginning, middle, and end of the world. It tells a creation in which Odin and his brothers create the world with human beings by showing when real gods, Asgard and the daughters of the giant, enter the world. In this story, a desired beginning to a new world is what is wanted in the end, because it is the end of the golden age, a period when mankind live have lived in a better time. A specific example in the text, “thatched with gold, it stands at Gimle…” (Terry,1990,pg.4). This example from the text explains that in the end of the story happiness is achieved with earning a hall filled with gold and a new world starting or beginning of the golden age. This is similar to the text, The Hobbit, because in the end Bilbo is able to live happily ever after in his new world of Hobbiton after it was destroyed by the dragon that was guarding the treasure. The example above is different compared to the story of Beowulf because in the end Beowulf is killed and dies; this is not a fairy tale ending like the song of Voluspa.
The second written text, Beowulf, is an old english poem about a hero, Beowulf, and his struggle with a monster, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon who terrorizes the kingdom. Towards the end of the poem all Beowulf wanted was the treasure that the dragon was guarding. For example, Beowulf says, “the treasures that lavished on Hygelac me…” (Heaney,1999,pg.9). In the end Beowulf dies of old age; the dragon is also killed by Beowulf before he dies and one of his warriors. This may not be a fantasy ending but the Village of Geats is brought to peace because the treasure was found.
The third written text, Volsunga Saga, is a fairy tale, fictional poem that tells part of Sigurd’s ancestry, his heroic struggles, and the story behind his wife and brother-in-laws after he dies. In the story a treasure or golden ring is cursed by Anvari and is given to Fafnir which becomes the dragon and the ring gets put into a cavern under a mountain. Sigurd becomes the hero of the story by taking on the dragon, Fafnir. Sigurd says, “I will ride now to thy lair and take to me that great treasure of thy kin” (Morris and Magnussun,1888,pg.12). The ending of this story is similar to The Hobbit because the hero is able to live happily ever after.
The last written text, The Hobbit, is about Bilbo acting as a burglar with the 13 dwarves and a wizard as they go on an adventure to try to snatch the treasure from the dragon. The treasure that is being fought for from Smaug, the dragon, in the end of the story was unguarded, Smaug’s “thoughts came into his heart of the fabled treasure of the mountain” (Tolkien,1997,pg.31). This is when Smaug is killed by the Bard. This story has a long plot, however, it is considered a fantasy. It is now a popular novel in children literature.
I did not think about this theme as a central incident, yet I think it is very intriguing. It suggests the idea of adventure with tragedy and victory along the way. This was a very good perspective and analysis because it was outside of the box and not the ordinary central incident. It went deeper to find a not so common theme and connect it to all four stories. bravo
Delete4. Tolkien, the author of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, created both texts with Old Norse or Old English language because the time period. Also because the author uses a more materialistic approach and expresses desire within the text. For example, in The Hobbit, Tolkien expresses many of his thoughts as if he were writing a poem. He writes, “before long, so great was his speed” (Tolkien,1997,pg.26). In this quote Tolkien described the dragon in old english language by using a more formal word “so”. This exaggerates the sentence and makes it have more of a old english text like, for example, Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteAnother example that shows Old Norse or Old english text is from the novel, The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien wrote, “how fair are the bright eyes in the gross” (Tolkien,1993,pg.36). Old Norse is a language spoken by the vikings in the past which is why the words can be slightly mixed up or vary in spelling. This quote above is Gandalf talking about all the white flowers in the field. This sentence is exaggerated and detailed so that the reader can imagine “bright eyes” as the flowers. Tolkien’s works are very detailed so that the readers imagination can grow.
5. Tolkien’s well-known writing abilities have been portrayed as more traditional writing in the modernism era. The modern era was portrayed through cultural changes with what political and historical events were happening during that time period like the World War, literature, art, and poetry. Tolkien’s writing is expressed through closed text, which is when the reader learned to interpret their own understanding of any text. For example, in his work, The Hobbit, he writes, “then he strode off to help on the ordering of the camps and in the care of the sick and the wounded” (Tolkien,1997,pg.32). This sentence in the novel is not only referencing the story but also the time period of the events taking place during that time period such at the World War. Another example from Tolkien’s book, The Lord of the Rings, portrays “swords you do not need...choose from these era we go, and may they serve you well” (Tolkien,1993,pg.43). Alot of Tolkien’s style of writing refers to the modernism era and he is referencing here that swords will be no help for all the people that were fighting the war.
ReplyDelete6. Today many films, TV shows, and games have brought back some of the old gods and heroes from obscurity. One specific film, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, came out in 2013 and was introduced as a boy from New York City that discovers he is the son of Poseidon, a Greek god of the sea and brother of Zeus. This mythological movie can serve a purpose for the modern world because people will be able to think about the era of the gods while also think about how writing sparked secondary orality so that technology could be invented. Ong said, “oral cultures indeed produce powerful and beautiful verbal performances of high artistic and human worth..” (Ong,1982,pg.20). Movies with gods and heroes occur today because of writing and the different cultures of creativity people acquire. Another movie that includes mythological creatures is Pan’s Labyrinth. A film about a fantasy princess is trapped in a world of humans. There are many fictional gods in this film that portray creativity and peoples gifted imagination. This movie brings back thoughts about Greek mythology and the gods that are now being studied.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the film Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is a great way for people to think about the era of gods and how it sparked second orality. This is a good example of how it brings greek mythology into the the modern world.
Delete8. The following texts: Voluspa, Beowulf, Volsunga Saga, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings bring many pleasures into this world. These old english texts educated the society about reading poetry and understanding literature. These help people learn to understand creativity and develop good imagination skills. Student, teachers, and literature lovers are also able to easily use old english texts like these to entertain themselves while also learn more about greek mythology. Overall, all of these books have helped benefit the modern world today.
ReplyDeleteSources:
ReplyDeleteTerry, P. (trans). (1990, 1966). Poems of the Elder Edda. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
Heaney, S. (1999) (trans). Beowulf: a new translation. London: Penguin,
Morris, W. and Magnussun, E. (Trans.) (1888). The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga). London: Walter Scott Press
Ong, W. (1982) Orality and Literacy: the technologizing of the word. London: Methuen
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1997; 1937).The Hobbit, London: HarperCollins
What genres do the following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ?
ReplyDeleteVoluspa also known as the Song of the Sibyl is an example of a Mythological Poem based on Norse mythology, That exploits the words of Gods, The song of the Prophetess which tells us about the creation and also the end of the world, Ragnarök, and it's second coming. "Hear my words / you holy gods' "By Odin's Will I'll speak the ancient lore" (Terry,1990) This particular poem supposedly dates back to the 10th century where the author was likely to have infused religion and belief of the God’s within the poem, based on the time period.
Volsunga Saga, is an example of an Epic Poem also based on Norse mythology in the 13th century which tells us of the downfall of the Volsunga clan and the dangers that come with being greedy and therefore the antagonist gets transformed into a Dragon. This text also talks about Gods and how the powers of Gods can control oneself.
Beowulf is an example of Epic genre an old English Epic Poem that tells us the story of a kingdom that is being terrorized and how he rules keeping the peace for fifty years before he meets his fate while trying to protect the kingdom from a Dragon. This Poem presents an unhappy ending.
“Then he addressed each dear companion one final time, …. I would rather not use a weapon if I knew another way to grapple with the dragon and make good my boast as I did against Grendel in days gone by….” (Farrar, 2000)
The Hobbit is an example of Epic genre, It is a Fantasy Fiction piece of literature that involves a dwarf named Bilbo Baggins who is on a quest to reclaim the Kingdom of Erebor.
Lord of the rings The two towers is also an example of Epic high fantasy genre that is set in the same setting and universe as The Hobbit. This movie also involves a quest to destroy the Ring that could bring grave danger to everyone.
All of these readings are mythic fiction and fantasy fiction and have connections in the plot of going on journeys and overcoming danger that involve God’s, Mythic creatures and life changing scenarios that not only affect one person but can affect the entire world. All of these texts are also highly influenced by Norse Mythology where there are no happy fairy tale endings and the texts show the World as the real and harsh world that it is.
What genres do the following texts belong to, and how do their intended period contexts, purposes, and intended audiences differ?
ReplyDeleteVoluspa is an example of mythological genre. This can be supported by (L.1 Terry 1990; 1996) “Hear my words… You holy God. '' Another example is also shown by the poem, “the holy Gods met to give judgment” (Bellow, 1936, 1.22) In addition, “The holy Gods took counsel together” (Bellows, 1936. 1.23). The constant reference to Gods in the poem indicate that Voluspa is a great example of mythological.
To reinforce, the author's aim seems to have been directed its context for audiences that have beliefs and desires with imaginations that are beyond this world. Despite the fact that it may have or had cause some conflict with others due to their personal beliefs. The poem itself explores on the creation of the world. It elaborates on how God's (Odin & others) created the earth and fought to keep it alive. Such images may appear to be too rebellions against those that are strong with their Christianity beliefs. However, to others, it’s a great way to escape reality and imagine the world to be a different one. Nevertheless, it also explores the separation of earth, the heavens and the underground world. The poem carries on with an interpretation of how the humans home was destroyed and later risen on its own.
Similarly, the poem can be seen as an inspiration from the first book of the Bible “Genesis”. This chapter of the Bible recalls the very first time God brought the earth into life. Consequently, Voluspa uses characters that play as Gods. This can be supported by,(L.1 Terry 1990; 1996)” Then Bur’s sons lifted up the land and made Midgard, men’s fair dwelling; the sun shone out of the south, and bright grass grew from the ground of stone”. Despite the fact that the poem is thought to be more fictional and unrealistic, the similarity that it has with the Bible stories may appear to be appealing to some audiences. For example, the well known story of Noah and his kids. The whole human race was destroyed in the hopes of rebuilding humanity. Correspondingly, the poem speaks about earth having to risen from the water after it was sunk into the sea. “She sees the earth rising again out of the waters…”
Personally, I enjoyed reading the poem as I imagine our own world to have a hidden passage to another. In today's society people have different tastes in terms of genre and their use of imagination. Some individuals may enjoy fiction and creations that have certain connections to themselves, and others to have enjoyed more of actions that are relatable to real life situations. Therefore, this may differ
The Hobbit is a great example of fantasy. "The dragon is coming or I am a fool!". Tolkien, (1997) The mention of a dragon indicates that the Hobbit is a fantasy as dragons are to be considered to be characters that are created by imaginations. Furthermore, "As like as not it is the marauding fire of the Dragon, the only king under the Mountain we have ever known."
ReplyDeleteBeowulf is looked at as an epic genre. As its based on a human character who fought his rights into a throne that he maintains surveillance and power of for over fifty years. This can be supported by (Heaney, 199) “ruled it for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land”. The character is thought to have grown old throughout the years. This shows that Beowulf falls into the category of heroic as it contains human characters.it's
Volsunga Saga can be view or looked at as an example of a legendary saga. It has a great variety of Gods and fairy involved. In addition, it can also be looked at as fantasy.
In conclusion, the four text tend to uphold different type of audience due to the different genre they all uphold. As a result, different idea of entertained are made because of the time period each text is written. For example, in the past, people might have been more interested in legendary saga. As a result, writers would based their interest of creation on such genre. Nevertheless, in today's society, greekmothology and heroic are becoming a trend for many audiences. As a result, Marvel and other creators have incorporated two genres together to suit the people need.
References:
Heaney, S. (1999) (trans). Beowulf: a new translation. London: Penguin,
Morris, W. and Magnussun, E. (Trans.) (1888). The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga). London: Walter Scott Press
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1997; 1937). The Hobbit, London: HarperCollins
Terry, P. (trans). (1990, 1966). Poems of the Elder Edda. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
Identify some recent films, Tv show and or games which have brought back some of the old Gods and heroes from obscurity. What pace do the old Myths have in the modern world?
ReplyDeleteIn today's society a lot has been brought back and been incorporated into new creations as the Vikings and the Percy Jackson. However, Marvel can be seen as one of the most common companies that often produce films that resemble Gods such as Thor, Odin and Loki. It’s no secret the audience are well entertained by the characters. This can be supported by the various sequel that are often released a year or so later. The story are often connected with the previous sequel.
It’s a great idea that modern society has kept the past history alive. The new generations are most likely to have no idea that Thor and most of the superhero are inspired by historical text. So, to have Marvel reviving the old Gods in their films, would most likely cause the fans to do further research of who Thor is. As a result, they would come across that Thor’s story is beyond what they see being portrayed in the films. However, this can also be seen as a negative outcome due to the many changes being added into the modern creation. For example, Thor’s super power is often the same but his surrounding and purpose differ from the originals.
Therefore, the majority of today's entertainment is often inspired by texts in the past. This can be seen as both negative and positive for society. It can be seen as a way of keeping the past alive and nevertheless, new changes are constantly been added into films to suite today's field of entertainment, which can eventually lead to total remake of the originals.