Thesis: Blood, sweat and tears were the least of their sufferings because as illustrated in the Epic poem “Beowulf”, reputation and fame for the Anglo-Saxons was something they valued higher than life itself.

A. Lead

            Similar to how change is inevitable; a reputation is an uncontrollable part of ones being. A football player, a cheerleader, a book worm, a jock, the dark one, or the outspoken one, whatever it may be, a reputation is a fixed cost, whether it is good, bad, or anything in between. The importance of reputation in your life may alter the lifestyle you chose to lead. In the epic poem “Beowulf”, reputation and the importance it plays in the life of the Anglo Saxon people is illustrated through Beowulf’s challenging journey. Blood, sweat and tears were the least of their sufferings because as illustrated in “Beowulf”, reputation and fame for the Anglo-Saxons was something they valued higher than life itself.

B. Body Paragraphs

1. Considering Beowulf’s incredible family background, it was an essential for him to accept the call for the battle with Grendel in order to solidify his identity not only for the people but for his family as well.

A. “Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror/ And quickly commanded a boat fitted out/ Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king./ Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar,/ Now when help was needed” (p. 42)

1) It was not in Beowulf place to set out and fight the Battle with Grendel because it was not him nor his people that were affected by the monster. However, accepting the call, this was a way for Beowulf to prove something to the people. This shows the willingness of people of the Anglo Saxon time to take on assignments of this kind in order to fulfill the image they are trying to achieve to the people.

B. “My father was a famous soldier, known far and wide/ as a leader of men. His name is Edgetho./ His life lasted many winters;/ Wise men all over the earth surely remember him still.” (p. 43)

1) Beowulf’s father is a celebrated man known from sea to sea, as his son, a lot is being expected of Beowulf, and it is an ordeal for him to attain. During this time people are born into a social structure where their mission in life was specified. It is demonstrated here, the role of the Anglo Saxon people and the task they are faced with to embody their ancestors, for their reputation.

2. Defeating Grendel was an accomplishment greatly appreciated by the people, although Beowulf’s confidence and fuel to the fame and fortune of the possible success drove him to do more than need.

A. “Our only help/ lies within you .Grendel’s mother/ is hidden in her terrible home, in a place/ You’ve not seen. Seek it, if you dare! Save us,/ Once more, and again twisted gold/ Heaped up ancient treasure, will reward you/ for the battle you win” (p. 49)

1) Sadly, Grendel's mother is a mother of a child who is entirely in the wrong, however nowhere was Grendel’s mother in any shape or form a contributor to the actions of her son. As heroic as Beowulf is depicted to be, an acknowledgement of this should have been done and considered.  This unnecessary battle and sorrowful death of Grendel’s mother, demonstrates the possible unpractical actions people during this time take in order to achieve fame that they greatly valued.

B. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought/ In endless battles , I am old, now,/ but I will fight again, seek fame still,/ If the dragon hiding in his tower dares/ to face me.” (p. 54)

1) Beowulf is now aged and with the great victory with the Battle of Grendel and Grendel’s mother, he is very confident and is not ready to bring his fame to diminish. He is eager and willing because his fame and reputation was something that he was ready to put his life up for. This shows the importance of reputation and fame to the people of this time and the dedication they put into the existence of their name, that life is of less significance.

3. Though Beowulf established his fame 1,500 years ago, his story and accomplishments are still told today and the message of reputation and fame has lasted and is still sought out to be valued.

A.” When the funeral flames have burned me, and built it/ Here at the water’s edge, high/ On this spit of land, so sailors can see/ This tower, and remember my name , and call it Beowulf’s tower, and boats in the darkness/ And mist, crossing the sea, will know it” (p. 59)

1) Seconds before he is dieing, the only thing he is concerned with is the life of his name. Right before he ends his life he makes sure that the world does remember his accomplishments. This emphasizes the desire of the people to have their names live eternally.

B.” Telling their sorrow, telling their stories/ of their dead king and his greatness and his glory / As noble as his name. So should all men/ Raise up words for their lords” (p. 60)

1) In the end, Beowulf’s battles were worth while, although his story ends in death; the legacy he worked for is left to stay. This shows how much fame played such a major role in their life and how much value it held to them.

C. Conclusion

            Through all the battles, blood shed, tears and sweat, Beowulf is successful. He is remembered for his accomplishments and is a heroic symbol still today, as we listen to his story and live up to our reputation and fame, just as he did.

Beowulf

12345 Long Ago Rd.

Sweden, Earth 94876

POSITION DESIRED             Monster Patrol Leader

EDUCATION                                     Sweden School of the Young and Powerful

                                                            789 Royal Way., Sweden, Earth 94780

(Diploma 515 AD)

Sweden Academy of  Swordplay, 321 Sword St.,                                  

                                                            Sweden, Earth 94123 (Diploma 525 AD)

                                                            Courses Included: Advanced Placement Swordplay

                                                            Units I and II, Student of the Year 524 AD, and

                                                            Best Overall Achievement 525 AD.

WORK EXPERIENCE                      

517 AD                                                Driving Five Great Plains into Chains 567 Plain

                                                            Mountain, Sweden, Earth, 94132

                                                            Supervisor: Sebold Free (see below)

516 AD                                                Swimming in the Blackness of Night 435 Schuster        

                                                            Ocean., Sweden, Earth 94876

                                                            Supervisor: Pentium English (see below)

520 AD                                                Hunting Monsters out of the Ocean 220 Norton Ave

                                                            Sweden, Earth 94827

                                                            Instructor: Pentium Norton (see below)

SPECIAL SKILLS &

ABILITIES                                          Courage, Respect, Honesty, Strength, Intelligence,       

                                                            Love, Determination, Responsible and Power

HOBBIE & OUTSIDE

INTERESTS                                        Swordplay, Riddles, Bathing, Personal Fitness,

                                                            And Battles

REFERENCES                                    Sebold Free

                                                            Sweden School of the Young & Powerful Instructor

                                                            789 Royal Way., Sweden, Earth 94780  

                                                            (928)384-9374

                                                            Pentium English

                                                            Sweden Academy of Swordplay Instructor Unit I

321 Sword St., Sweden, Earth 94123

(847)948-9487

Pentium Norton

Sweden Academy of Swordplay Instructor Unit II

321 Sword St., Sweden, Earth 94123

(837)847-9528

wow, the last time i remember witing a blog for xanga in this library was probably freshmen year when i used to PMS and write pissed off blogs about nothing. 4 years ago, and now we're seniors! yyyaaa bbaaabbbyyy..

it isn't as great as we anticipated. literally trying to get by each day, praying to god to give me the energy to get through the whole day. school and work is harder than i thought. its been almost a whole month of school and work and not missing a day. not a single day. aren't you prrroouudd? you should be! because that shit is fuckin hard. i miss my junior year tho. so far if this year keeps going at the rate its going, that would probably be my best year. school was still a bitch, but still kind of exciting since we never went. so our school days wouldn't be school days but more superstar, ikea, porkstore and haight days. i used to have more guts then, now im just pussy wooped by school and work. and its my senior year. how sad... hahahah...

other than that tho, i think im coo. ive been pretty occupied with the more important things. and im liking it. a couple of more hours to sleep, rest or even just sit down and not do anything would be GREAT. but im good.

i guess you could say this was a good update. this xanga business has been with me through my whole high school career, that its weird. but i like it. i could look back at exactlly 3 or 4 years from today and read exactlly how i was feeling or what i did. its kinda cool. i dont know. i'm weird.

ok, till next time sucka. BEEE COOOOO!!!! ;)

I hate coming back home in the morning and not being able to sleep. It sucks. So its 10AM and i've been in bed on this laptop for the last hour and my ass is starting to hurt! Hahaha..

It's already the 1st of August, which means only 29 more days left till fucking school. Isn't that great? This summer went by too fast. And the fun is just getting started... haha, how cliche, but whatever. I had fun this summer so far. I mean it isn't the greatest ever, but i can honestly say it hadn't been boring. I spent hella time with my family, and in some way or another keeping in touch with friends, but also made a whole lot of new friends. Kicked it with the most randomass people and done the most randomass things. But its all cool. All fun...

But i do still needa finish my damn summer school book. I haven't yet found the energy to get my head into it, but they said its pretty good and i only have a certain amount of free time before summer ends to actually finish the book and then do the project, so prioritizing is way needed.

The upcoming activities are pretty exciting... going to the Giants game tomarrow, leaving for vegas sometime this month, hella birthdays, and one last camping trip, just off the top of my head. Im excited! Check back with ya later!

Byyyeee ;)

Technically this was yesterday. but i haven't slept yet, so its kind of still today. The usual morning routine, except today i woke up extra early, like i said in my blog this morning. Remember how i said i would stay home and make it up to my brothers and such? Ya, that didn't happen. I ended up getting hella irritated because i found out that Warren saw some guy have my camera or some shit like that, so my camera is still missing! Ahhh.. it stresses me out thinking about it so let's end that topic here. So i was irritated and ended up just going to Ron's. Chilled for a lot of the day and then met up with Britt for awhile. Then went home for like 10 minutes and left to go to Ron's game around 5, but it ended up being cancelled. So i went to Ed's and saw her for a hot minute. Went home again, then left again and bought hair dye. Kat dyed my hair guys. Bye bye light hair, hello dark hair. Its black guys. Its kinda different, but im not used to it yet, but its coo. I just needed to get rid of the bleach. Then, after Kat finished, i met up with Bree and picked up Ed. Went to Best Buy, it was closed, went home and ended the day watching some of Constantine with the fam & Ed. Longass day and oh so very tiiirreedd.

I hate to blog about this person, because i really dont care, but i need to be able to read this and understand. Ok, he fucked me over. I gave him another chance and even more. He fucked up again, i gave up and he let me loose. I move on. He thinks hes the shit and that imma stick around like all the other girls hes been with, but NO, sorry im not like the rest of them. I'm perfectly fine and moved on way passed him. Seeing and finding out who i've been kickin it with, he thinks he still has authority to know who the fuck ive been with, when and where. NO, i dont think so. NOW you wanna go calling me everyday and night. NOW you wanna text me mornings and goodnights. NOW you wanna make shit work out. NOW you wanna go telling your friends to talk to me, to tell me how much you miss me. NOW you wanna go and tell your boys how much you want only me. NOW you wanna say i was the only one that was ever good to you. NOW you wanna say how i was the one that was down. NOW you wanna act like my boy.

 NO.

And now that you call me everyday. and now that you text me everyday, and now that your trying to make me realize what i tried to make you realize before. I dont care. I cared for you. I had feelings for you. I wanted to make things work. I worried about you and made sure you were always ok. But yo took advantage of that, and now looks whos suffering. Blame no one but yourself. I hear you tho... when you tell me how bad you feel for what you did or how much your sorry. I hear you and i do forgive you. Just dont expect me to come crawlin' back because i dont forget.