Peach Tree Soft and Tender contain a use of repetition, but it also has a “melodic rhythm”, or a patterned repetition throughout the poem. This poem tells the cycle of blossom, fruits, and leaves of the peach tree while a newly wedded bride is going through a cycle of the family line.

From the first stanza, a bride is being introduced. It’s seen that the woman is “blossoming” (line 2) to become a bride. The blossom symbolizes the bride. As a newly wedded wife, it’s obviously new to her; it’s a new chapter in her life. She does not know what being a wife consists of. The bride also does not understand the requirements of a mother. All newly wedded wives can relate to that. Seen in the next two stanzas, the first line is being repeated but it is followed by a change in variation only in the second line. Each of those second line shares a new cycle for the woman.

In the second stanza, it indicates that the bride isn’t young and innocent anymore; the next step of the cycle is happening. For “plump, ripening fruit” (line 6), it tells that the bride has given birth to a child, which is the fruit. The bride now has a family which means that she is learning of the burden but also the privilege of becoming a mother. She is ripening the fruit by teaching her child her ways of life. It can be assumed that she is raising her child properly because the poem states, “she well befits this house” (line 8). The bride is beginning to fulfill her duty as not only wife, but also a mother.

Finally, for the final stanza, it shows that the wife is fulfilling her duty as a wife to take care of her family. What makes this poem amazing is that there’s a moral and that moral is a good woman’s virtue grows stronger over the years within her marital family. Another amazing thing about this poem is that it focuses on many lessons for people to use in their lives.

Christine De Pizan was heartbroken of how women are considered, in general, in the society. While lamenting why some men regarded women as less than nothing, she encounters three ladies who consoled her by telling her terrific things that many women did which are advantageous to those men who argue that women cannot do almost anything by themselves. Meeting with those three ladies such as Reason, Rectitude, and Justice, Christine got more courage to build the city of the ladies. I am analyzing some points that they highlighted to convince Christine to stay out of her sadness.

As a writer, the way she can build the city of ladies is to use her skills and knowledge about women’s accomplishments and write what they had done greatly. Reason, which is one of the three ladies, gave her a non-exhaustive list of women that Christine should be proud for being a female. But before going into details, I want to recall just a brief remind of what these names mean. When we hear the words i) reason, we automatically know that it’s related to something that will convince with supporting details (these can be positively or negatively); ii) rectitude is also behaving in positive way, and finally iii) justice which also should be applied in order to treat all parties equally. Now did the author use these three names to emphasize feminism since these are the qualities that almost all women possess? If so, these three ladies represent what the society really needs.

Now going back to my analysis, on page 784, paragraph 4, “Sick at heart, in my lament to God I uttered these and many other foolish words since I thought myself very unfortunate that He had given me a female form.” In this passage, Christine shows her disappointment in complaining about her gender, this is a kind of fatality she claimed herself and women in general to be guilty of. Does she imply that God applied injustice to women? In lady Reason’s introduction, her bitterness went lower as she reminded her that men are totally wrong when they think that women are nothing but inferior creatures that God created to subordinate them. Her advice in page 786, paragraph 1, “Return to your senses and stop worrying your head about such foolishness. Let me tell you that those who speak ill of women do more harm to themselves than they do to the women they actually slander” can be interpreted, by men, as a feminist reaction. On page 789, in the middle of the second paragraph, lady Reason also argued that “Courage comes from a natural, vital force which is a gift from God that He allows Nature to implant in some rational beings more than in others. This force resides in the mind and the heart, not in the bodily strength of one’s limb.” This passage tells us more about women’s mindfulness even though they are not physically strong. Her argument shows that human beings are created but unfortunately are not perfect in everything; this doesn’t mean they are not equal because parts of the body that men lack of can be found into women, and vice versa, they should instead complete each other.

Lady Reason shows a kind of irrationality that some men have when they treat themselves as superior to women. As she goes more deeply in her reasoning, she came up with evidence of great work done by women which tells us that she considers them as the base of society.

In men’s interpretation about women’s inferiority, we can say that it’s still going on in the society we are living if we think of glass ceiling in which women are the only victims.

Beowulf, the powerful man that he is killed Grendel after Grendel continuously showed up killing Beowulf’s men. Therefore, Grendel’s Mother showed up for revenge. In doing so, she runs away with Aeschere who happens to be Hrothgar’s trusted advisor. This sparks Beowulf fighting Grendel’s Mother. I will analyze parts of this battle that may have been over looked due to the attention on the battle itself.

In lines 1450-1462 it is stated, “It was beaten gold, princely headgear hooped and hasped by a weapon-smith who had worked wonders in days gone by and adorned it with boar-shapes; since then it had resisted every sword.” A boar’s head, “namely courage and fierceness in battle.” Fierce meaning wild, hostile, or violent in force. Boars are one of the most feared creatures in the forest. Boars charge without fear and don’t give up until their target is killed or they get killed. Much like Beowulf in the battle with Grendel’s Mother. This symbol of “boar-shapes” is supposed to bring protection, “The Boar – Of all the animals revered by the Anglo-Saxons, it was believed that the image of the boar would bring protection to its wearer at times of war and they would be infused by its strength, power and ferocity” (Celestial Elf). This helmet was worn by Beowulf and had resisted every sword in belief that the “boar-shapes” brought protection to whom ever wore the helmet.

The second important part is lines 1557-1569. Along side of a boar being the most feared animal in the wild. It has strength and violent in nature, much like Beowulf. Through lines 1557, “Then he saw a blade that boded well, a sword in her armory, an ancient heirloom.” To “bode well” is a sign that something good will happen. Beowulf used this to his advantage when he saw this sword knowing that it would have a big impact on Grendel’s Mother. Although the sword boded well, “So huge and heavy itself only Beowulf could wield it in a battle.” Much like the boar, tough in its nature, Beowulf would be the only one with enough strength to pick up this heavy sword and use it in battle. Beowulf used this sword in the killing of Grendel’s Mother when he stabbed her in the neck killing her. Much like the boar whom doesn’t stop fighting until they or their prey are dead. Beowulf fought with all his might to win this battle; “The sword dripped blood, the swordsman was elated.” Elated means ecstatically happy, “Wild Boar will also happily finish off the the kill” (a-z animals “Wild Boar”). When the sword dripped blood Beowulf was elated, or ecstatically happy about the killing of Grendel’s Mother.

The “boar-shapes” passage has an overall deeper meaning. Many look past a single line or phrase as they are reading the epic poem. When analyzing the deeper meaning behind it you can see the true connection between the “boar” and Beowulf. There is a true comparison between how the wild boar and Beowulf act in a battle against someone or something else. When being used on the helmet that “resisted every sword” must have a deeper meaning or connection as to why they used the boar-shaped. Beowulf resembles a wild boar in its ability fight, have strength, and never give up.

I will analyze The Analects written by Confucius. Confucius has a lot of impacts on East Asian’s life. I have noticed The Analects since I was in elementary school. The interpretations of the English version are a little bit different than the Chinese version. Many of East Asian’s life still follows the doctrines of the ideas of Confucius. He is the man who gives general educations to lower rank people while educations are only popularized in high rank people because of hierarchy. Therefore, Chinese believe he is the first teacher of the nation because he generalizes education systems for everyone regardless of their positions.

The most important ideology shapes East Asians’ society is “ritual” because the old saying of Chinese that “Nothing will be accomplished without norms and standards.” “Ritual” is not only a ceremony, but it also means to be polite as well as behaving properly to others. In The Analects Book VII 7.3, “The master said: ‘Failure to cultivate moral power, failure to explore what I have learned, incapacity to stand by what I know to be right, incapacity to reform what is not good – these are my worries’.” If everyone behaves without moral, then the society will be a salvage place. If nobody does good things, then the society will not be a harmony place. If nobody corrects what they have done wrongfully, then the society will not be a developed place. Confucius deeply concerns about the ways of people’s behaviors because he believes that “ritual” makes the world a better place.

Confucius also believes that justice brings happiness. In The Analects book VII 7.16, Confucius points out that “Riches and honors without justice are to me as fleeting clouds”. In the full version of The Analects gives an example, indicates that if a man gains something without a proper way, this is injustice. Although he might be happy for a short period of time, but he will be condemned by his own conscience because he knows it is not correct. On the other hand, in The Analects book VII 7.16, Confucius says “Even though you have only coarse grain for food, water for drink, and your bent arm for a pillow, you may still be happy.” In other words, Confucius believes that if people can satisfy their basic needs, they should not ask for more. Therefore, I anticipate that Confucius tries to say that enough is as good as a feast.

For this blog post I decided to address the “new covenant” the Quaran proclaims with the “People of the Book” which are Jews and Christians.  The Quaran establishes a new covenant by saying “Our Messenger has come to make clear to you much of what you have kept hidden of the Scripture, and to overlook much [you have done]” (pg 75). The Quaran is saying that the Jews and Christians omitted some things from the scriptures and have a misunderstanding of what they read. The Quaran says that it is here to give the correct message God meant to give the people of earth. Another way the Quaran proclaims a new covenant with the “People of the Book” is by saying on page 77 that, “We sent you [Muhammad] the Scripture with the truth, confirming the Scriptures that came before it, and with final authority over them: so judge between them according to what God has sent down.Do not follow their whims, which deviate from the truth that has come to you.” In Islam, Muhammad is the prophet for Islam who was sent down to earth to show people the how to obey God the correct way. The Quaran tells the “People of the Book” that what Muhammad has given them is from God and to stick to what God wants them to know and not what other Jews or Christians will tell them to believe.

The Quaran gives a few examples of how Jews and Christians misunderstood their respective scriptures. On page 75 the Quaran says, “Those who say ‘God is the Messiah, the son of Mary’ are defying the truth. ‘If it had been God’s will, could anyone have prevented Him from destroying the Messiah..” Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, but the Quaran denies that claim. They say that if he was the Messiah, then God could have prevented him from being killed. Another example the Quaran gives of the misunderstanding the “People of the Book” have of the scriptures is that they say that they are “His beloved ones”. The Quaran responds on page 76 by saying  “Then why does He punish you for your sins? You are merely human beings, part of His creation: He forgives whoever He will and punishes whoever He will.” The Quaran makes sure that the “people of the book” know that they are not special in any way, and are only under God as people who live on earth. God controls their fate whether it is good or bad.

Beowulf was written by  a unknown monk more than a thousand years ago. A tiny portion of the population knew how to read at the time, and the text could not be copied, thus the only way to spread the story was to tell it. Who were the storytellers? The first storytellers probably knew how to read because they had to learn the story, then we can imagine that some less educated individuals started telling the story after hearing it. Knowing the script was not enough however. As we can see in this video (oral performance by Bagby), telling the story of Beowulf was not only about memorizing the text. (Benjamin Bagby is a singer, composer, harpist, and performer of medieval music.) As a matter of fact, we can imagine that storytellers were modifying the story as the poem is too long to be memorized (3182 lines).

Music is one element that comes into play. The manuscript does not provide a clear rhythm, with distinct verses, so music was added to make it sound more like a poem, and make it more pleasant to listen. Bagby keeps playing the harp after a sentence, and rarely stop playing when the sentence is over. It clarifies the rhythm of the text, which is not obvious when it is read in prose. In addition, music is added to the story in order to make it more attracting: it was not only about telling a story, but also about playing an instrument. After all, Beowulf was primarily told in order to entertain the audience.

We can expect a good storyteller to change his tone depending on the situation. Bagby clearly does this, but what’s more surprising is that he often goes from telling the story to singing it. We can consider that as an extreme change in tone used to emphasis an event, but also, I believe it is intended to entertain the listener. Similarly, Bagby makes great use of body language to support the text and attract your attention. As for the tone, his body language is sometimes extreme. The idea is to make it seem real, and that the audience feels the action.

I think many people would agree with me if I say that reading the poem from the textbook as we do in class is not (very) entertaining. But we are missing the bigger picture. Beowulf was written and told to entertain people. This was possible thanks to storytellers who used their body language, played music, and sang so the audience could enjoy it. Assuming that Bagby made a good job imitating storyteller, we can see how different it is to listen the story. The text itself deserves to be studied, but it is easy to forget the fact that Beowulf was created  to be enjoyed in the first place.

I’m writing about Grendel’s human nature and the motherly love, shown by his mother, which was the second battle in “the Beowulf”. After escaping the battle with Beowulf, Grendel ran to his hiding and died. Seeing her son dying in front of her own eyes, Grendel’s mother avenges her son’s death by murdering the Hrothgar’s favorite aide. Beowulf is called again to avenge the death, where he tracks down Grendel’s hideout and kills Grendel’s mother too.

The second battle is more like a revenge battle. First Grendel’s mother avenges her son’s death and Beowulf avenges Aeschere’s death. Later Grendel’s mother too was killed in the battle. There is a saying, if you want a revenge, dig two grave, the same happened with Grendel’s mother. She killed Aeschere and Beowulf killed her. Grendel is portrayed as a monster by the retainer and Hrothgar as he would kill the people and destroy the mid hall. Actually he was an out cased member of the society who was jealous of the celebrations and the gatherings. He was driven by the emotional rage. Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding rounds the heath and the desolate fens; he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts (lines 103-107). Similarly, Grendel’s mother wasn’t avenging her son’s death acting on her monstrous nature; she was driven by the maternal love for her child. As Grendel returns wounded with arm ripped off, his mother comes back and grab his arm. This poem is a heroic description of the Beowulf but deep inside it ignores the love and emotions of the mother. She lived there long enough but she never created a problem. Later when she avenged the death of her son, she is considered a monster.

Acting out of maternal love, she became and avenger. Then it became clear, obvious to everyone once the fight was over, that an avenger lurked and was still alive, grimly bidding time (l. 1255-1258). She became the sole survivor of her kind as her only offspring was killed. She showed heroic skilled and power. Her onslaught was less only by as much as an amazon warrior’s strength is less than an armed man’s when the hefted sword, its hammered edge and gleaming blade slathered in blood, razes the sturdy boar ridge off a helmet (l. 1282- 1287). It is not clear how much powerful she is but we can find that the no any humane weapon can harm her. The sword killed her, which was in her lair.

Mother can be caring and avenger at the same time. When she fears the threat to her child, she can do anything. The poem lacks to portray the motherly love but we can feel through her action.

• What elements of the Epic genre (as you are so far familiar with them) are present in Beowulf? How does this English Epic differ from the Homeric or other epic forms you’ve read?
• What elements of oral performance survive in the printed text? Give specific examples.
• There are several embedded narratives in Beowulf (e.g. Sigemund and the dragon, ll. 883-914; and the Fight at Finnsburg, ll. 1070-1157). What is their function in the narrative and, considering their placement, in the action of the story?
• Who and what are Grendel and his mother? What does the text tell us about their origin? What is the source of their animosity toward the Danes?
• While the events of Beowulf take place in a pre-Christian Europe, the narrator has a distinct Christian perspective. Find some examples of both “pagan” and Christian elements in the poem and analyze how they compliment or contradict each other. (Hint: Look at Grendel’s attack on Heorot in lines 86-188.)