Beowulf- First half

Christianity

The influence of Christianity is obvious from the first section of Beowulf which gives a brief interpretation of the Creation story from Geneses. Then it describes Grendel as a member of Cain’s race.

All through the first part of Beowulf references are made to the “Maker”, “God”, the “Lord”, “the Lord God”, “the Father”, the “holy God” all in a pretty Christian way.

Grace

The concept of grace is also mentioned several times such in the last part of section IV with the line “almighty Father— guard you in his grace” (1201). Section VI gives us another example of the usage of grace “. . . Holy God—In His grace has guided him to us” (1202). This idea of God’s grace is pretty decidedly a Christian concept.

Another interesting point is regarding the use of weapons. When Beowulf and his warrior companions are awaiting a certain confrontation with Grendel it is chosen that they should fight without the use of weapons. Beowulf states that if Grendel decides to use weapons that is would be up to the judgment of God to decide who wins. I don’t think I am taking too much liberty in saying that this is faith.

It is also important that in Beowulf (or the sections I have read so far) there is a clear separation between Evil and Good and further more between people who are purely pagan and those who have been influence to some degree by Christianity.

Mythical Creatures

I also notice quite a few mythical creatures mentioned in Beowulf (as to be expected). I did however have a few points of only slight and probably irrelevant confusion. The first section lists several mythical creatures as descendants of Cain, including trolls, elves and “the living dead”. My question is does “living dead”= vampires? I am thinking is does :)

Next, are the evil underwater creatures Beowulf describes slaying 9 of in the section IX mermaids? Again it sounds like a pretty clear mermaid reference to me.

Rabbit Trail-- The Tale of Genji

  

There is a Japanese movie coming out in December based on The Tale of Genji.  Toma Ikuta stars as Genji( yay!!! love him!).  And there are a few important twists. Shikibu Murasaki, the woman who wrote The Tale of Genji is featured as a character in the movie.  It is a Japanese move and based on The Tale of Genji, so it is pretty much doomed to end tragically.

                                                                                (\__/)

                                                                                (='.'=) – “Toma-kun!”

                                                                                (")_(")

(the bunny wants to go watch a show called Hana Kimi now, but has to help "master" write an essay!) 

The Tale of Genji

So here is my essay pitch. . . . .

I would like to write my essay on The Tale of Genji.  So I have a few different angles I could approach this essay from.

1. Exploring what it means to be a man ---- and feminized

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is feminized is specific and impactful ways.  Both his physical appearance and actions are described in feminine way.  He loves Enkidu as a woman would love Enkidu and is quite beautiful.

In The Tale of Genji (or the sections I have read so far) I found that Genji was similarly feminized.

I realize that the feminization comes from completely different ideas, because these two pieces come from completely different times and cultures.  In Japan there is an ancient idea of Bishonen (beautiful men—androgynous-- mostly adolescents back in the day!!) and men with feminine features are even to this day considered very attractive. 

(google search J rock-- If you dare. I wanted to add a picture and chose not too-- You're welcome  :D

 

Also Genji actually has sex with another man (or I should say boy—creepy pedophile!) a practice that was actually not that strange in ancient Japan.  It seems being male or female was determined more by their place in society than their sex (Leupp pg. 26).  Anyways, this angle could be so fun and filled with gender and culture!

2. Exploring what it means to be a hero—or should the main character be a hero?

This could take so many forms (how exciting!)

I could compare Genji with Gilgamesh again but this time show how their characters develop into heroes or don’t ever develop into heroes.  

• How does the novel differ from myth (or epic) in showing heroes?
• In both of these I could explore how the fact that The Tale of Genji was written by a woman for women.
• I could also compare The Tale of Genji to The Pillow Book which was also written by a woman around the same time and place.

There are countless ideas I could explore just using The Tale of Genji, I don’t even need Gilgamesh or any other main text.  The novel is like 1,000 pages, extremely complex and still has a huge impact on Japanese culture!

Some Sources---  

Keene, Donald. Japanese Literature: An Introduction for Western readers. Charles E. Turtle          Company. Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo. 1955.  

 Leupp, Gary P. Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan. University of California Press. Berkley and Los Angeles, California.1999. pp. 26.