The History of Program Music and its Composers Essay

The History of Program Music and its Composers - Essay Example 3). To further stress this point, the great Frederick Niecks, however, remarked that programme music has always been regarded controversially as its definition is vague and narrow (1). In this context, Niecks wrote (referring to musicians) in the preface of his book entitled Programme Music in the Last Four Centuries: A Contribution to the History of Musical Expression, that "they should embrace all possible kinds, degrees, and characters: the outward and the inward, the simple and the complex, the general and the particular, the lyrical, epic, dramatic, melodramatic, descriptive, symbolical, etc. They should embrace also music with the programme merely indicated by a title, and music the programme of which is unrevealed. The absence of programme and title does not prove the music to be absolute (iii)." Despite having been the one to come up with the phrase "programme music", Frnza Liszt was not its inventor. Programme music has been in existence and practice ever since the 16th century, or probably even before then (Hoffman para. 3). To be able to trace its history, Frederick Niecks outlined six periods while citing the significant composers or musicians during its time. The first period was during the 16th century, a time when allusions were usually made to descriptive vocal compositions that were often inadequate and incorrect (F. Niecks 7). During the second and third quarter of this century, the descriptive vocal pieces of Clement Jannequin emerged. These were La Guerre or La Bataille (War), La Chasse du Livre (The Chase), Le Chant des Oiseaux (the Imitation of Animal Voices), and L'Alouette (Bird Voices) (F. Niecks 7). Battle pieces became the primary favorite then. A... The researcher of this essay states that since the ancient times, music has been used to mimic the sounds of life and nature, real or imagined. As musicians wanted to build a bridge between literature and music, various sounds from animals and nature like tweets, cuckoos, toots, shrieks, cries, horns blowing, hiccups, roars, rain pouring, wind blowing and the like are being used to form a coherent musical composition that conveys a story or a plot. This form of music has been existent since the ancient times, yet it was the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt who actually coined the term â€Å"programme music† in the mid 19th century, a time when Romantic music was very pravalent. For the purpose of discussion, programme music may be defined as instrumental music that attempts to convey a story or arouse mental images without the use of words. Liszt calls composers of programme music as â€Å"poetizing symphonsts†. Furthermore, he also strived to be able to distinguish the p rogramme and its object. He claims that â€Å"the programme has no other object than to indicate preparatively the spiritual moments which impelled the composer to create his work, the thoughts which he endeavoured to incorporate in it. Given the examples of the composers and their works, that were mentioned in the essay, it is hence apparent how experimentation in the genre of programme music was important. It was indeed a risk for these composers to hence pattern the form of their composition to a certain programme they have pictured in their minds.

Gullivers Travels Essay Example for Free

Gullivers Travels Essay The saga of Lilliput is more fun and entertaining than that of Brobdingnag. Discuss. Gullivers Travels is a classic example of eighteenth century satire, one of Swifts greatest works in an outcry against the values and practices of his time. While his words ruthlessly attack numerous aspects of human society and human character, by the nature of satire his weapon is humour. So there is plenty of amusement to be had through the course of the book, most notably in the first two adventures, in Lilliput and Brobdingnag. On Gullivers first adventure to Lilliput, he awakes on the island to find himself bound and tied to the ground by the six-inch tall Lilliputians. After being stung with arrows and stabbed with spears, he decides to obey, and then help the Most Mighty Emperor of Lilliput and his country. So we see the foremost target of Swifts humour and satire, that surrounding Gulliver himself, as Richard Rodino said, Gulliver is a satirical device enabling Swift to score satirical points. In Lilliput he subjects to the Emperors imprisonment and his wishes, some strange, such as when he desired I would stand like a Colossus, draw up the troops in close order, and march them under me. Some others were simply humiliating, however, such as when, upon receiving his decree of liberty, he swears to it with great cheerfulness and content, despite the fact that he does not agree fully with all of the articles within, and proceeds to be grateful for the honour of the Emperors presence, to whom he prostrates himself. This acquiescence on the part of Gulliver to a people who, to him, are little more than dolls that walk and talk, is degrading on Gullivers part, yet also funny, since his lack of humour and perspective leaves him open to ridicule. He, who can tow whole fleets and span an entire blustrug with a single step, is reduced to begging a miniature monarch for his freedom. Later on, he receives the ingratitude of the Lilliputians for the desecration of the royal palace, when he put out the fire by urinating on it. The result, due to his enmity with Skyresh Bolgolam, was that he was sentenced to have his eyes cut out. While most others in such a position would have laughed at being threatened by a people a twelfth their size, he is worried and scared by the decree to have his eyes put out. Despite the fact that the sentence expects him to gratefully and humbly submit, depending on him not resisting as very sharp-pointed arrows are discharged into his eyes, he decides to run anyway, to the court of Blefuscu. This cowardice amplifies the humour in his behaviour, the image of a giant being scared and running away from midgets is one that is contrary to the one we would expect. Compare this behaviour to the way that Gulliver presents himself in Brobdingnag. At almost every turn his diminutive size is ridiculed, he becomes the plaything of a nine-year old girl, the rival of a thirty-foot dwarf, and is forced to perform a debasing show till I was half-dead with weariness and vexation. While he is as subservient, indeed, perhaps even more than before, he is no longer doing so to a people far smaller than him. This image of Gulliver being overworked by people far bigger, more important than him, is only funny from the big peoples point of view. As we read it, there are, instead, distinct undertones of slavery and torture. Another example is when the Maids of Honour would sometimes set me astride upon one of her nipples, as well as various other appalling things, leaving Gulliver far from giving me any other emotions other than those of horror and disgust. While one could find comedy in this passage, it is much cruder and less funny than similar passages in Lilliput, a typical example of the type of humour found in this second adventure. Although Swift is satirising our fascination with beauty and appearances, the power of this extract stems not from underlying implications but from the shock of having the human body so cruelly assaulted. Thus, instead of subtly hinting his satire as he does in Lilliput, Swift takes a far harsher line in Brobdingnag, using Gulliver to demonstrate the shortcomings and failings of the human race, through the medium of his various adventures there. Its always entertaining when youre dealing with those smaller and weaker than you are, but a great deal less funny when its someone more powerful dealing with you. The affairs and events which occur in the two adventures also contribute a great deal to the humour. When Gulliver is in Lilliput, one of the first curious things he relates to us is the practice of choosing ministers for governmental and court positions by the nominees skill at dancing on a tightrope or leaping under or over the Emperors stick. This idea seems ridiculous to us, it probably elicited a few smirks when you first read it, but Swift is alluding to the way that in his day and age, many government officials achieved their positions from skill with words or putting money in the right places. Politics becomes a mad ballet, says Philip Pinkus. When we learn that Flimnap would have infallibly broken his neck, if one of the Kings cushions had not weakened the force of the fall, Swift is protesting against the way the favour of a powerful minister could easily protect a man from the loss of his position if they strain so far as to overreach themselves and make a fatal mistake. In Brobdingnag, much of the humour revolves around the way that Gulliver must make his way in a world where everything is too big, John F. Ross says that he retains a pride and self-esteem which would be perfectly normal for him among his physical equals, but which is ridiculous under the circumstances. One time, above twenty wasps, allured by the smell, came flying into the room These insects were as large as partridges. The image of Gulliver surrounded by bird-sized wasps is immediately funny, but aside from the comedy value, there is little satirical content in this passage. There are many other comical stories in both adventures, which can entertain, but also have other layers of meaning. In Lilliput, one of the most amusing anecdotes is that of the war between Lilliput and Blefuscu, largely because of its origins: It is allowed on all hands, that the primitive way of breaking eggs before we eat them, was upon the larger end: but his present Majestys grandfather, while he was a boy, and going to eat an egg, and breaking it according to the ancient practice, happened to cut one of his fingers. Whereupon the Emperor his father published an edict, commanding all his subjects, upon great penalties, to break the smaller end of their eggs. The result is that the inhabitants of the two islands go to international war over so minor an event as breaking an egg. We find this hilariously funny, thinking the Lilliputians and Blefuscudians stupid and petty to allow this incident to escalate so to such an extent. However, when the Blefuscudian king listens to Gullivers praise of my own dear native country in a style equal to its merits and felicity, he sees through the pompousness and self-importance of Gullivers account of Europe, seeing the corruption in government, the prejudice in law, the inefficiency in politics, the mismanagement of the economy. Swift is hinting that the two situations are not so different, since little people tend to place great significance upon little things, and when we are the little ones, it is brought home to us that the vast majority of our affairs are of little consequence in the long run. While the story found in Gullivers Travels is highly entertaining, it is, primarily, a work of satire, and this adventure is designed as a message to the people and government of Swifts 18th century Britain, to change, or even just to reflect upon, the way in which they go about their lives. Upon reading both Lilliput and Brobdingnag, there is an evident trend in how Swift has written his book. In Lilliput, Swift uses engaging, fine humour to disguise his satire, whereas in Brobdingnag he moves onto rougher, coarser humour, with a far more obvious attack on European society, a trend which is continued through to the end of the book, culminating in a scathing assault on our perceptions of human nature itself, in the fourth adventure. Therefore, due to the ways in which we respond to the portrayal of Gulliver, and the events and humour found in the two passages, I conclude that the saga of Lilliput is funnier and more entertaining than that of Brobdingnag. Bibliography Jonathan Swift, Gullivers Travels, 1726 Richard Rodino, The Study Of Gullivers Travels, Past and Present, 1992 Philip Pinkus, Sin and Satire in Swift (1965)

Analysis of Mental Illness via Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Analysis of Mental Illness via Girl, Interrupted (1999) GIRL, INTERRUPTED 1 Introduction In the movie, Susanna (Winona Ryder) is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Susanna bonds with a few different patients, including Lisa (Angelina Jolie) with sociopathic personality disorder, Daisy; Bulimia, Georgina; pathological liar and Janet as Anorexic. Susanna starts to work harder with her specialist (Vanessa Redgrave) and the medical attendant on the ward (Whoopi Goldberg). Girl, Interrupted was focused around the collection of memoirs of Susanna Kaysen, who truly did put in eighteen months a Psychiatric Hospital (Mangold,1999). DSM V Diagnosis Criteria Consistency Borderline Personality Disorder is defined as a pervasive example of precariousness of interpersonal connections, mental self view, influences, and checked impulsivity, starting by ahead of schedule adulthood and present in a mixed bag of settings as showed by 5 or a greater amount of the following; (a) Distraught endeavors to stay away from genuine or envisioned relinquishment,(b) An example of temperamental and extraordinary interpersonal connections portrayed by exchanging between extremes of admiration and cheapening, (c ) Personality aggravations: especially and diligently instable mental self view or feeling of self,(d) Impulsivity in no less than two zones that are possibly self harming,(e) Repetitive self-destructive conduct, signals, or dangers or self ruining conduct,(f) Full of feeling flimsiness because of a stamped reactivity of mind-set,(g)Chronic sentiments of vacancy,(h)Inappropriate, serious outrage or trouble controlling annoyance, and (i)Transparent, anxiety relate d jumpy ideation or serious dissociative indications (American Psychiatric Association,2013). The first criteria for BPD in Girl, Interrupted, was having self-destructive contemplations and doing things to help a conceivable suicide by endeavoring what Susanna called an impotent endeavor to murder herself by taking a dose of aspirin with vodka. At the point when the attendant attempted to hold her she says to be watchful in light of the fact that she has no bones in her grasp. Later on, the advisor asks her the means by which she got the container of Aspirin in the event that she had no bones in her grasp, she reacts saying then theyd return (Mangold, 1999). The second criterion was incurring damage on the body by cutting or wounding. After she endeavored suicide, she was hurried to the crisis room, and the cam point changed from everyone wildly moving around to help to her wrists. She had wounds everywhere on her wrists and she continued telling the specialists she didnt have any bones in her grasp (Mangold, 1999). The third criterion was Susannas endeavors to stay in the connections to abstain from feeling relinquished. At the center of the film, she has a flashback of the illicit relationship she had with one of the instructors and with a fellow that she met after her secondary school graduation. In both cases, she was having hazardous sex and staying in the connections with the goal that she felt needed and cherished, and not dismisses (Mangold, 1999). The fourth criteria was filling the void that was generally felt by doing something she knew wasnt correct yet provided for her rush. Susanna felt as though nothing was going how she needed it and she was the main individual feeling that way. In the film, Susanna and Lisa, a young lady in the organization, chose to escape the foundation and go on an excursion to visit an alternate young lady that had been there with them, Polly. Both of them knew they could cause harm, yet the proceeded at any rate (Mangold, 1999). The fifth criterion was the point at which she encountered a shift in temperaments and felt like she had no feeling of herself whatsoever. Around the end of the film, there was a period Susanna was persuaded she wasnt going to improve and she got preventive over what Dr. Wick was letting her know about her analysis. She proceeded and expressed how she couldnt have cared less and her new most loved word to portray herself was conflicted in light of the fact that she said it implied she couldnt have cared less any longer and she was going to do whatever she felt was correct (Mangold, 1999). We believe Susanna created these examples all the more in adulthood, yet everything originated from her youth occasions and they are reliably demonstrated in the motion picture concerning the indications of BPD in DSM V; in any case, at one purpose of the film, her sweetheart comes and says that she is not insane and that she doesnt have a place there. She then says, Yet I attempted to execute myself†. This shows how she has disguised what had persistently been tossed at her. He tries to persuade her to flee with him to Canada, however shockingly she says she has companions here and that she herself is crazy. As per Comer, 2010, one of the characteristics of people experiencing BPD is that sentimental sentiments seeing someone are not generally shared. However in the motion picture, in spite of her refusal to flee with him, their shared adoration stays in place, in this manner demonstrating a conflict with the DSM-V as of right now (Mangold, 1999). After a long discussion with the office head, Susanna gets more disappointed in view of what she says and takes a great deal of pills. The following morning she experiences difficulty awakening the superintendent acknowledges what has happened and completes her of quaint little inn her in the shower tub to wake her up. She has a fit, and gets to be exceptionally indiscreet. The superintendent tries to clarify to her that she is not insane and that she is simply a lethargic, liberal young lady who is making herself insane (Mangold, 1999). The following morning Susanna finds that Daisy had submitted suicide by hanging herself and she calls the police and is taken again to the clinic while Lisa vanishes. At the clinic she has a discussion with her Doctor where she says that she wished she could have done something to help Daisy. She additionally states, â€Å"I’ll never know what it’s like to be her but I know what it’s like to want to die, how it hurts to smile, how you try to fit in and you can’t, how you hurt yourself on the outside and try to kill the thing on the inside† (Mangold, 1999). There are a few distinctive perspectives on how an individual like Susanna could have created BPD. One view that scholars have, is that an early absence of acknowledgement by parents may prompt a loss of respect toward oneself, expanded reliance and a failure to adapt to division (Comer, 2010). In the motion picture, Susannas mother made a remark on when Susanna was an infant, she was transforming her diaper and she turned around for a part second and that was when Susanna moved off the quaint little inn her leg. She said the specialist place Susanna in a full body cast and her guardians went on a 4,000 mile outing with Susanna locked in the rearward sitting arrangement in the body cast (Mangold, 1999). Cultural Differences In a collectivist society like Sri Lanka, close family relatives would be exceedingly concerned if an individual showed such feelings or practices. They would be extremely terrified and attempt to do whatever they can, striving to help them. It would not be a theme that would be talked among each other individual, presumably just close relatives and companions. Once an individual has been diagnosed and at last cured, the enduring impression would not be of the said individual being totally recouped. They would presumably still expect or think at the once again of their brain that they are not totally cured or may tend to backslide. Notwithstanding they would at present be extremely steady as it is in their tendency to be so. These relatives and family would likewise feel that an individual being diagnosed with a certain issue is because of the Karma which is the where their circumstance is ascribed to sins of the past births. Some parents of family members are regularly embarrassed to concede that their youngster is having BPD disorder. They attempt to lock their youngsters in a room in order to prevent embarrassment from the society. In the event that the kid does not so much succeed then the youngster is censured, debased or rebuffed, which may influence the kids self regard and trust in a radical manner. One of the principle purposes behind this is on the grounds that the absence of mindfulness about the issue accordingly there is a probability, where the perspective towards the kids and the issue of BPD may slowly change in the promising new years. Conclusion To sum up, the movie indicates how the emotional sickness had a huge effect on Susanna as it demonstrates how she would holler insanely in the night and be extremely befuddled since she didnt recognize what wasnt right with her or felt caught on the grounds that she felt that nothing really wasnt right with her (Mangold, 1999). We personally think she would have gotten better if she was simply at home, while being given personal treatment and care without confining her to a setting that induced, provoked or aggravated her disorder or she could have been given the dialectical behavior therapy which most clinical today utilize this therapy method. References American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders: DSM V (5th ed).Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishers. Comer, J.R (2010) Abnormal Psychology (7th Ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. Wick, D., Konrad, C., (Producers). Mangold, J. (Director). (1999) Girl, Interrupted. United States: Columbia Pictures. Retrieved from http://ffilms.org/girl-interrupted-1999/ (2014)

Themes in Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin Essay -- American Literature

Themes in Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin After reading the short story "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin, I find there are two major themes that Baldwin is trying to convey, suffering and irony. The first theme that he brings out and tries to get the reader to understand is the theme of suffering. The second theme that the author illustrates is the theme of irony. James Baldwin writes about two African-American brothers growing up in Harlem, a black ghetto in New York, during the 1950's. During this time black people were forced to live in a world of prejudice, discrimination, poverty and suppression. The life of a black person was very difficult; many opportunities afforded to whites were not afforded to blacks. Sonny and his brother lived in the projects and had many obstacles to overcome that white people didn't have to. Sonny chose music to outwardly express his suffering, his brother chose to bottle it up and keep it inside, but this is the common thread they both shared. Suffering is also shown in the story when Baldwin says "it came to me that what we both were seeking through our separate cab windows was that part of ourselves which had been left behind" (P 47). I think this quote means that both Sonny and his older brother want to retrieve some of their past so that it can help them cope with what has happened in their lives. If Sonny and his brother can both cope with what has happened in their lives and get over it, I think t they both can start moving forward and putting this behind them. I feel having Sonny's brother narrate the story in the first person is Baldwin's way of telling us that Sonny's brother is also suffering but inside, unlike Sonny who takes drugs and sings the blues. Sonny's ... ...s and work together to form a loving relationship. In conclusion, the short story "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin brings out two main themes: irony and suffering. You can actually feel the pain that Baldwin's characters experience; and distinguish the two different lifestyles of siblings brought up in the same environment. The older brother remaining nameless is a fabulous touch that really made me want to read on. This really piqued my interest and I feel it can lead to many discussions on why this technique was used. I really enjoyed this story; it was a fast and enjoyable reading. Baldwin keeps his readers thinking and talking long after they have finished reading his stories. His writing technique is an art, which very few, if any, can duplicate. Works Cited: Baldwin, James. "Sonny's Blues" in Vintage Baldwin. New York: Vintage, 2004.

Ignorance to the Truth Essay

Often in tragic literature, authors infuse characters with a tragic flaw such as hubris. One work that explores an exuberant amount of pride is Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. In this play, Thebes is stricken with a plague and Oedipus, the King, will sacrifice anyone to save it. In the process of finding a solution, Oedipus realizes that he fulfills the prophecies that say he will kill his father and marry his mother. In the play, Sophocles shows Oedipus’ hubris by using irony. Characterization is also used to enhance the effects of pride on Oedipus’ ability to see logistically. Both characterization and irony play an important role in supporting the theme that excessive pride is a bad thing because it prevents people from viewing life with logic and leads to their downfalls. In the drama, Oedipus Rex, readers analyze the theme by looking at Oedipus’ tragic flaw. Sophocles describes how Oedipus changes from being a powerful and majestic king to being â€Å"the world’s outcast† (Sophocles 66). For instance, Oedipus’ hubris is shown from the beginning of the play when he steps down from the altar. He addresses the people of Thebes to discuss the deadly plague that has come to Thebes. Oedipus explains that he hears the â€Å"sound of prayer and lamentation† and that he himself â€Å"who bears the famous name,† has come to listen to his people (Sophocles 4). Oedipus shows how prideful he is when he refers to himself as being famous amongst the people of Thebes. Also, the fact that he comes forth when he hears prayers, indicates that he views himself as an equivalence to the gods because he defeated the Sphinx. Oedipus’ boasting relates to the theme because it foreshadows his tragic fate that he will kill his father and marry his mother as destined by the gods. Oedipus’ pride continues throughout the play when the messenger announces the death of King Polybos of Corinth. Specifically, Oedipus thinks that he is the son of King Polybos and that he escapes his prophecies by leaving Corinth long ago. Oedipus explains that he â€Å"never touches [Polybos],† so he will not â€Å"give heed to the birds that jangle above [Pythian’s] head† (Sophocles 50). Oedipus fails to realize that Polybos is not his real father, which relates to the theme of hubris. The overwhelming sense of pride in himself is what makes him blind to what is real. To support the theme of Oedipus Rex, Sophocles uses dramatic irony throughout the play. Creon tells Oedipus that the murderer of King Laois must die in order for Thebes to recuperate from the plague. Oedipus shows concern for the well-being of the city but also for himself. He says that he will â€Å"avenge the city and the city’s god† (Sophocles 9). He further exclaims that â€Å"for [his] own sake, [he will] get rid of evil† because the murderer of King Laois might â€Å"decide at any moment to kill [him]† (Sophocles 9). Although Oedipus shows true concern for Thebes, his pride propels him to state that he will get rid of the murderer for his own benefits. The dramatic irony is that Oedipus is unable to realize that he will not benefit because he will ultimately have to be punished. Oedipus’ misconception connects to the theme because Oedipus fails to see that he is the murderer of King Laois. Dramatic irony is also shown after Iocaste realizes that Oedipus’ prophecies have come true and Oedipus refuses to give up his search for the truth of his birthplace. Oedipus says that he â€Å"is a child of Luck; [and that he] cannot be dishonored† (Sophocles 58). The irony is that the audience knows Oedipus’ tragic fate, yet Oedipus believes he is a child of luck. The irony relates to the theme because his pride blinds him to see the reality that he has fulfilled his prophecies. The overall use of dramatic irony enhances the theme of pride preventing a person from seeing things logistically. In addition to irony, Sophocles uses characterization throughout the play to enhance the theme. For instance, Tiresias, a blind prophet reveals Oedipus’ fate and Oedipus refuses to believe it. When Tiresias accuses Oedipus of weaving his own doom, Oedipus objects by exclaiming that he saves Thebes by defeating the Sphinx. He says that Tiresias’ magic â€Å"or the gods, for the matter† are useless (Sophocles 22). Oedipus is indirectly characterized as very self-centered and haughty. Oedipus’ ego relates to theme because he is so cocky that he does not perceive what Tiresias is saying. Instead, he reminds everyone of the time that he defeats the Sphinx. Oedipus gloats on past victories without dealing with present problems involving Thebes. Along with being self-centered, Sophocles characterizes Oedipus by incorporating epithets into the chorus’ lines. Oedipus summons the shepherd in search of primary proof of the murdering of King Laois. The chorus explicitly calls Oedipus a â€Å"tyrant [who is a] child of Pride† and that his â€Å"haughtiness and high hand of disdain/ Tempt and outrage God’s holy law† (Sophocles 46). Oedipus is indirectly characterized as a tyrant. The chorus denounces their King, which relates to the theme because Oedipus’ pride leads him to be â€Å"caught up in a net of pain† (Sophocles 46). By using characterization, the author shows the reader how Oedipus’ pride leads to his downfall. Hubris often leads to a tragic fall and causes people to become oblivious to the real world. Sophocles creates dramatic irony in the play Oedipus Rex to enhance the plot. The use of dramatic irony highlights how blind Oedipus is to his fate. It shows how Oedipus’ life changes from being a majestic King to an egocentric man who has given up all hope. Oedipus Rex leads the reader into analyzing his or her own life. People should be proud of their achievements as long as they avoid becoming insolent. A healthy dose of pride always does a person well, but an exuberant amount of it, makes him or her ignorant to the truth.

Beowulf Essays - Beowulf, Grendel, Hrothgar, The Dragon, Unfer

Beowulf Essays - Beowulf, Grendel, Hrothgar, The Dragon, Unfer Beowulf Authors often use events and things to symbolize stages in someone's life. Symbolism is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing meaning of significance to objects, events, or relationships. In Beowulf, Beowulf fights Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. In the anonymous epic Beowulf, Beowulf's battles symbolize the youth, adulthood, and old age of Beowulf's life. First, the battle with Grendel represents the youth of Beowulf's life. The typical youth is very brave and fights for fame. Beowulf shows how the battle with Grendel is a representation of the youth of Beowulf's life by going to Hrothgar and asking him if he can fight Grendel for him and his people. Beowulf shows this trait when he says, Grant me, then, lord and protector of this noble place, a single request! I have come so far, oh shelter of warriors and your people's loved friend, that this one favor you should not refuse me. That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this Hell. Second, another trait that a typical youth has is that they don't want to be outwitted. They also don't want people to think poorly of them. Beowulf shows this when he hears that Grendel does not use any weapons to fight and so Beowulf says that he will not use any weapons because he wants Higlac to think worthy of him. Beowulf shows this trait when he says, I have heard, too, that the monster's scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Now will I. My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster. Third, the typical youth likes to brag about what they have done. Beowulf shows this third trait when he brags to Hrothgar about how he swam all the way over and killed all the monsters in the ocean. This is seen when Beowulf says, I swam in the Blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned. I have shown you how the battle with Grendel represents the youth of Beowulf's life. First, the battle with Grendel's mother represents the adult stage of Beowulfs life. As adults get older they are less daring and more defensive. Beowulf shows this trait when he fights mail armor and a sword. This is seen when he goes to the lake where the monsters mother has her underwater lair. Then fully armored, he makes a heroic dive to the depth of the watery Hell. Second, as adults get older they are less daring and wait for the ballte to come to them. Instead of going to Hrothgar and asking to fight for him he waits and lets Hrothgar ask him. This is seen when Beowulf is awakened and called for again. I have shown you how the battle with Grendel s mother represents the adult stage of Beowulf's life.