Mandeville
The Travels of Sir John Mandeville describe several natives that Mandeville supposedly came across in his travels. One nation of people he describes people that are basically what we know as cyclops, giants with one eye that eat raw meat. Today, we know that no such people could possibly exist outside of fairy tales. Of course, it is reasonable to assume that perhaps these people were quite tall and maybe they only did eat raw fish. Another people that Mandeville comes across in his travels are described to have no heads and eyes on their shoulders. Such a claim is ridiculous today and is clearly unrealistic. Another nation of folks written about are said to "Have the lip above the mouth so great, that they sleep in the sun they cover all the face and that lip." While this is an exaggeration, there are tribal groups out there that put rings in their mouths to make stretch out their upper lips. So while the people in this account of Mandeville's travels have unrealistic exaggerations or just plain myths, they could be based in truth. These exaggeration served to excite the Renaissance mind, which thrived off of stories of new and strange worlds.
Columbus
In his letters about his voyage to new world, Columbus was clearly fascinated and excited by what he had come across. His purpose, after discovering the new world, was to use the raw materials to better Spain and to convert the natives to Christianity. His purpose is shown, firstly, in the way that he named and claimed every island he came across for Spain. He claimed ownership so that the King and Queen could use take from that land to give to Spain. He even says, "I hold them all in the name of their Highnesses who can dispose thereof as much and as completely as the kingdoms of Castile." In addition, while he does describe the natives with wonder and affection, he obviously is aware of how easily they could be used. He makes note several times of their timidity and lack of metal for weapons and shields. In addition to his expectation of using the new world as a tool for Spain's success, Columbus shows himself to be deeply religious. He praises God several times and emphasizes his plans to convert the natives. He describes that he gave the natives useful gifts "in order that they may conceive affection, and furthermore may becomes Christians."
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10/27 Cantebury Tales #9A
Wife of Bath
According to Chaucer's story The Wife of Bath in Canterbury Tales, all women desire only one thing. That is to hold control over men. Besides the narrator outright telling us that is what women hold most important, this desire is illuminated in many of other aspects of the story. First, we see this when king is about to condemn the knight at the beginning of the story, the queen requests that she be in charge is of trial and sentencing. She wanted to be in control. A more obvious example of this is when the old woman gives the knight between having an ugly, but faithful wife or a beautiful, but disloyal wife. Instead of choosing for himself, the knight lets the old woman decided, leaving her in power completely over the situation. By yielding and letting the old woman have the choice, the old woman is happy because she was given power over her husband. Personally, I think it is true that many women want to have control over others and in situations. Even the Bible says that this is something that women everywhere have to continue to struggle with. However, to say that it is the foremost desire of all women to hold power over others is not true. When stereotyping an entire gender that way, it can never be completely true.
Pardoner's Tale
The Pardoner's Tale is basically a list of rules (with support and examples) of do's and don'ts that people need to heed to. These includes things like don't gamble, don't be gluttonous, don't get drunk, and don't swear on Christ's body. The story given among this list is an example of what could result from doing this things, death. This says a lot about Medieval religion and the Catholic church. For those who choose sinful ways, it's death. For those who choose wise ways, it's life. The Pardoner character, from the little we read of his purpose and actions, is a priestly type figure. By going to him with our sins, he can help pardon us of our past sins and move on to a happy future. This makes me think of the Catholic church, because it is concerned with actions. While actions are most certainly very important, the way to get redemption is through confession (an action). This doesn't deal where the core of the sin lay, in the person's heart.
According to Chaucer's story The Wife of Bath in Canterbury Tales, all women desire only one thing. That is to hold control over men. Besides the narrator outright telling us that is what women hold most important, this desire is illuminated in many of other aspects of the story. First, we see this when king is about to condemn the knight at the beginning of the story, the queen requests that she be in charge is of trial and sentencing. She wanted to be in control. A more obvious example of this is when the old woman gives the knight between having an ugly, but faithful wife or a beautiful, but disloyal wife. Instead of choosing for himself, the knight lets the old woman decided, leaving her in power completely over the situation. By yielding and letting the old woman have the choice, the old woman is happy because she was given power over her husband. Personally, I think it is true that many women want to have control over others and in situations. Even the Bible says that this is something that women everywhere have to continue to struggle with. However, to say that it is the foremost desire of all women to hold power over others is not true. When stereotyping an entire gender that way, it can never be completely true.
Pardoner's Tale
The Pardoner's Tale is basically a list of rules (with support and examples) of do's and don'ts that people need to heed to. These includes things like don't gamble, don't be gluttonous, don't get drunk, and don't swear on Christ's body. The story given among this list is an example of what could result from doing this things, death. This says a lot about Medieval religion and the Catholic church. For those who choose sinful ways, it's death. For those who choose wise ways, it's life. The Pardoner character, from the little we read of his purpose and actions, is a priestly type figure. By going to him with our sins, he can help pardon us of our past sins and move on to a happy future. This makes me think of the Catholic church, because it is concerned with actions. While actions are most certainly very important, the way to get redemption is through confession (an action). This doesn't deal where the core of the sin lay, in the person's heart.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
10/22 Everyman #8B
Human Nature
In Everyman, this sinfulness of man is emphasized. To help him in his reckoning to God, Everyman is shown first not able to rely on people (and things) of this world, and second he cannot rely on physical and intellectual traits. Fellowship, Cousin, Kindred, and Goods all represent things of this world that Everyman hopes can help him reconcile himself to God. They cannot. Knowledge, Good Deeds, Discretion, and Five-Wits all represent traits Everyman has before he does penance and after. It is important to note that the only quality that helped Everyman in his reckoning was Good Deeds, which came to Everyman only after he visited Confession and did penance. Everyman was not able to rely on his things of this world or qualities that were with he could have before penance.
God's monologue at the beginning of the play also reflects his own focus on the sin of man. God reveals that man had scorned God and rejected Christ. He even states, "Verily they will become much worse than beasts..." A very Catholic view is seen here. While God does mention the redeeming blood of Christ, man must still go through a reckoning. During this Reckoning, Everyman achieves a clear ledger not through acceptance of Christ, but through his own actions: confession, penance, and deeds. This view emphasizes not the glory of the Godhead, but the debase nature of men.
"Friends"
The five characters that Everyman encounters towards the second half of the play are Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and Five Wits. They all express the most supreme love and devotion to Everyman at the beginning of their conversation, but when Death's arrival creeps closer, they all progressively abandon him. These four characters all represent physical characteristics than humans possess. The progression of his friends leaving him and the time of Everyman's reckoning with God represent aging and death. As a person ages, good looks fade, skin becomes wrinkled, earlobes elongate, and hair turns white. This parallels Beauty's departure. The next to leave Everyman is Strength. In the life of a regular person, this is true as well. Muscles can grow weaker, bones become brittle, eye sight gets worse, and overall health declines. After this happens, many times mental health also declines for an elderly person. Age and diseases can leave one with fragmented or faulty memory and can impair judgment. Some people just loose their minds and aren't themselves for the rest of their minds when they get to a certain old age. This is represented in Everyman as Discretion leaving him. And the last to leave Everyman is Five-Wits. Clearly, Five-Wits represents the five senses. These become dull over time, but men still is able to perceive sensory data (with or without a lucid mind to comprehend it). Just before death, in both Everyman and real life, the senses are the last to leave a person. All a person has left is what they did in life (Good Deeds). Then man dies and he either goes to Heaven, like in Everyman's case, or Hell.
In Everyman, this sinfulness of man is emphasized. To help him in his reckoning to God, Everyman is shown first not able to rely on people (and things) of this world, and second he cannot rely on physical and intellectual traits. Fellowship, Cousin, Kindred, and Goods all represent things of this world that Everyman hopes can help him reconcile himself to God. They cannot. Knowledge, Good Deeds, Discretion, and Five-Wits all represent traits Everyman has before he does penance and after. It is important to note that the only quality that helped Everyman in his reckoning was Good Deeds, which came to Everyman only after he visited Confession and did penance. Everyman was not able to rely on his things of this world or qualities that were with he could have before penance.
God's monologue at the beginning of the play also reflects his own focus on the sin of man. God reveals that man had scorned God and rejected Christ. He even states, "Verily they will become much worse than beasts..." A very Catholic view is seen here. While God does mention the redeeming blood of Christ, man must still go through a reckoning. During this Reckoning, Everyman achieves a clear ledger not through acceptance of Christ, but through his own actions: confession, penance, and deeds. This view emphasizes not the glory of the Godhead, but the debase nature of men.
"Friends"
The five characters that Everyman encounters towards the second half of the play are Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and Five Wits. They all express the most supreme love and devotion to Everyman at the beginning of their conversation, but when Death's arrival creeps closer, they all progressively abandon him. These four characters all represent physical characteristics than humans possess. The progression of his friends leaving him and the time of Everyman's reckoning with God represent aging and death. As a person ages, good looks fade, skin becomes wrinkled, earlobes elongate, and hair turns white. This parallels Beauty's departure. The next to leave Everyman is Strength. In the life of a regular person, this is true as well. Muscles can grow weaker, bones become brittle, eye sight gets worse, and overall health declines. After this happens, many times mental health also declines for an elderly person. Age and diseases can leave one with fragmented or faulty memory and can impair judgment. Some people just loose their minds and aren't themselves for the rest of their minds when they get to a certain old age. This is represented in Everyman as Discretion leaving him. And the last to leave Everyman is Five-Wits. Clearly, Five-Wits represents the five senses. These become dull over time, but men still is able to perceive sensory data (with or without a lucid mind to comprehend it). Just before death, in both Everyman and real life, the senses are the last to leave a person. All a person has left is what they did in life (Good Deeds). Then man dies and he either goes to Heaven, like in Everyman's case, or Hell.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
10/20 1001 Nights #8A
Motifs
1001 Nights paints people, both male and female, very negatively. The men in this story are portrayed as very selfish. For example, when both Shahrayar and Shahzaman find out about their wives' unfaithfulness and then execute, they become very depressed not because they missed their wives, but because "of what [their wives] had done to [them] and how [they] had betrayed [them...]" Even the whole premise of the two brother going on their journey to find someone "whose misfortunes are greater than ours," is entirely self-centered and self-pitying. In addition to that, but many of the men in Shahrazad's stories. Such as the demon and the two brothers who became dogs. Shahrayar's vengeance against women by marrying them and then executing them also shows selfishness through his inability to listen to reason and continue to satisfy his lust for flesh and blood.
But if the men were painted in a bad light, the females in 1001 Nights were shown in an horrendously negative way. The women were selfish, deceitful, jealous, and cruel. First the wives of the two kings were slutty and unfaithful and the wife of the demon was not only deceitful to her husband, but also incredibly promiscuous. Those women even went to far as to expose themselves and to command men to have sex with them. The women in Shahrazad's tales weren't any better. One was a vengeful she-demon, another a jealous and cruel witch, and another an unfaithful wife. While in Shahrazad and her sister go beyond this low standard of behavior for women, Shahrazad does not try to hard to show how upright women are to the misogynistic king. It's is insulting to even be a part of a gender that is associated with so many horrible traits throughout this entire piece. Even according to the narrative, "[...] nothing can prevent or alter what is predestined and that when a woman desires something, no one can stop her."
Both genders are shown in a negative way also in relation to the obsession with vengeance. Shahrayar is obsessed with getting revenge on women by executing his wives. Even in Shahrazad's tales, revenge is a key theme. The demon wanted to get revenge on the merchant, the first old man revenge on his wife, the second old man's wife punished his brothers, and the third man also punished his wife.
As far as forgiveness and reconciliation goes, I didn't see any of that in the reading that were were assigned. While I am sure that the king does pardon his wife and stop his mad plot against marriageable women, we didn't get to it. And even in the stories we read, there wasn't much forgiveness. The demon who wanted to kill the merchant did end up pardoning him, this wasn't due to any moral conviction. He only pardoned him because he was amused by those old men. That's not reconciliation.
1001 Nights paints people, both male and female, very negatively. The men in this story are portrayed as very selfish. For example, when both Shahrayar and Shahzaman find out about their wives' unfaithfulness and then execute, they become very depressed not because they missed their wives, but because "of what [their wives] had done to [them] and how [they] had betrayed [them...]" Even the whole premise of the two brother going on their journey to find someone "whose misfortunes are greater than ours," is entirely self-centered and self-pitying. In addition to that, but many of the men in Shahrazad's stories. Such as the demon and the two brothers who became dogs. Shahrayar's vengeance against women by marrying them and then executing them also shows selfishness through his inability to listen to reason and continue to satisfy his lust for flesh and blood.
But if the men were painted in a bad light, the females in 1001 Nights were shown in an horrendously negative way. The women were selfish, deceitful, jealous, and cruel. First the wives of the two kings were slutty and unfaithful and the wife of the demon was not only deceitful to her husband, but also incredibly promiscuous. Those women even went to far as to expose themselves and to command men to have sex with them. The women in Shahrazad's tales weren't any better. One was a vengeful she-demon, another a jealous and cruel witch, and another an unfaithful wife. While in Shahrazad and her sister go beyond this low standard of behavior for women, Shahrazad does not try to hard to show how upright women are to the misogynistic king. It's is insulting to even be a part of a gender that is associated with so many horrible traits throughout this entire piece. Even according to the narrative, "[...] nothing can prevent or alter what is predestined and that when a woman desires something, no one can stop her."
Both genders are shown in a negative way also in relation to the obsession with vengeance. Shahrayar is obsessed with getting revenge on women by executing his wives. Even in Shahrazad's tales, revenge is a key theme. The demon wanted to get revenge on the merchant, the first old man revenge on his wife, the second old man's wife punished his brothers, and the third man also punished his wife.
As far as forgiveness and reconciliation goes, I didn't see any of that in the reading that were were assigned. While I am sure that the king does pardon his wife and stop his mad plot against marriageable women, we didn't get to it. And even in the stories we read, there wasn't much forgiveness. The demon who wanted to kill the merchant did end up pardoning him, this wasn't due to any moral conviction. He only pardoned him because he was amused by those old men. That's not reconciliation.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
10/15 Medieval Lyrics #7B
Religion
"A Hymn to Holy Women," describes a women receiving salvation with the analogy of a later that she wants to climb with Christ at the top reaching down to her and a Satan at the foot of the ladder keeping people from it. The poem is very clear. Women, and all men in general, have fallen from the ladder because of Eve's sin. The beast that knocks people from the later is obviously the devil. We can see this through the titles given to him- "dragon," "envious one," and "impious serpent-" and also the statements of him as deceiving people and owning sinner. The image of Christ at the top of the ladder, reaching down and then fighting the creature is a clear image of His salvation for us. The poem narrates the story of salvation. First, the woman is at the bottom of the ladder, unable to climb because of Satan. Then Christ dies for us, beats Satan so that we can keep salvation, and allow her to climb the "ladder of love of Christ." Next the author describes the change in the women who are saved. Women become righteous, raise Godly children, and give up promiscuous ways. Women can become heroes for spurring their children in Christian ways, like the Virgin Mary. The last event in the story describes believers worshipping Christ, who saves us, together.
Love
"Lover's Prize" and "Aubade" are both good examples of Medieval courtly love. In "Lover's Prize," describes a married woman who is in love with a knight, a common theme in Medieval literature. She gave him her heart and he claimed that she did not love him. According to her, all he wants is to lie with her in place of her husband. She wants this as well, but only if he were "to do all I'd want to do." She as the lord, and the knight as her loyal vassal. This fits in with the idea of chivalry and courtly love. Similarly, "Aubade" describes the affair of two lovers. However, their love offers a sweeter picture. This poem is from the point of view of both the man and woman, and their love is definitely requited, unlike the pair in "Lover's Prize." But this poem presents the idea of courtly love. The woman is married and her lover is most likely a nobleman of somekind. It says that the lady "holds her heart loyally in love." The idea of a loyal and the other aspects that appear in "Aubade" and "Lover's Prize" are based in courtly love.
"A Hymn to Holy Women," describes a women receiving salvation with the analogy of a later that she wants to climb with Christ at the top reaching down to her and a Satan at the foot of the ladder keeping people from it. The poem is very clear. Women, and all men in general, have fallen from the ladder because of Eve's sin. The beast that knocks people from the later is obviously the devil. We can see this through the titles given to him- "dragon," "envious one," and "impious serpent-" and also the statements of him as deceiving people and owning sinner. The image of Christ at the top of the ladder, reaching down and then fighting the creature is a clear image of His salvation for us. The poem narrates the story of salvation. First, the woman is at the bottom of the ladder, unable to climb because of Satan. Then Christ dies for us, beats Satan so that we can keep salvation, and allow her to climb the "ladder of love of Christ." Next the author describes the change in the women who are saved. Women become righteous, raise Godly children, and give up promiscuous ways. Women can become heroes for spurring their children in Christian ways, like the Virgin Mary. The last event in the story describes believers worshipping Christ, who saves us, together.
Love
"Lover's Prize" and "Aubade" are both good examples of Medieval courtly love. In "Lover's Prize," describes a married woman who is in love with a knight, a common theme in Medieval literature. She gave him her heart and he claimed that she did not love him. According to her, all he wants is to lie with her in place of her husband. She wants this as well, but only if he were "to do all I'd want to do." She as the lord, and the knight as her loyal vassal. This fits in with the idea of chivalry and courtly love. Similarly, "Aubade" describes the affair of two lovers. However, their love offers a sweeter picture. This poem is from the point of view of both the man and woman, and their love is definitely requited, unlike the pair in "Lover's Prize." But this poem presents the idea of courtly love. The woman is married and her lover is most likely a nobleman of somekind. It says that the lady "holds her heart loyally in love." The idea of a loyal and the other aspects that appear in "Aubade" and "Lover's Prize" are based in courtly love.
Monday, October 12, 2009
10/13 Medieval Women #7A
Misogynists
Many Medieval thinkers thought of woman as subordinate and less important than man. According to many of our readings, women are described as seducing, vain, cruel, and even with a more sinful nature than man. Women were seen inferior to man in this way because, I believe, because many "religious" and "philosophical men" wanted a scapegoat. Women are guilty of greater sin than man because the actions of Eve in the in the Garden of Eden, so naturally, many thought, all women are the source of all evil and discomfort. These men wanted an excuse for their sexual desires and for when they went astray, so of course its those nasty women's fault for being pretty and forcing them to think sinful things. And if a man is unhappy in a marriage its because, to some of these philosophers, it's because women are so expensive, nagging, and disloyal. In the eyes of many medieval thinkers, men alone couldn't possibly have failed in areas that happen to concern women, so to them blaming and slandering women was the natural answer. Today, we do still see this. However, it is not just on the man's part. I believe both men AND women are guilty and magnifying faults and generalizing them to the entire gender. How many times have we heard that all men are pigs and all women are witches? Misogyny and even misandry are nothing new today.
Feminists
Many arguments are presented to contradict the misogynistic view from the Middle Ages. Both in the Southern Passion and in the Letter from the God of Love provide several similar arguments in support in women. Two such arguments stood out to me particularly. First is the point that men only scandalize women so because men are liars and hypocrites and generalize the female population too quickly. I believe that, in revealing this point, the authors commit the same hypocrisy that they accuse men of. The authors say that is ridiculous for people to generalize women or anyone else. Yet, in the Southern Passion the author directly calls men, "loudmouths and liars." That itself is the very same generalization warned against just a few sentences later. The second argument that stood out as far less problems. In Christine de Pizan's work, she sites biblical material as her evidence of the virtuous qualities of women. Using the example of the virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, the author employs an effective argument. The behavior, that was totally natural, of those woman directly goes against the negative stereotypes. Not only is the source one that her learned audience would be aware of, but it is also irrefutable. This argument is the much stronger argument of the two mentioned here.
Many Medieval thinkers thought of woman as subordinate and less important than man. According to many of our readings, women are described as seducing, vain, cruel, and even with a more sinful nature than man. Women were seen inferior to man in this way because, I believe, because many "religious" and "philosophical men" wanted a scapegoat. Women are guilty of greater sin than man because the actions of Eve in the in the Garden of Eden, so naturally, many thought, all women are the source of all evil and discomfort. These men wanted an excuse for their sexual desires and for when they went astray, so of course its those nasty women's fault for being pretty and forcing them to think sinful things. And if a man is unhappy in a marriage its because, to some of these philosophers, it's because women are so expensive, nagging, and disloyal. In the eyes of many medieval thinkers, men alone couldn't possibly have failed in areas that happen to concern women, so to them blaming and slandering women was the natural answer. Today, we do still see this. However, it is not just on the man's part. I believe both men AND women are guilty and magnifying faults and generalizing them to the entire gender. How many times have we heard that all men are pigs and all women are witches? Misogyny and even misandry are nothing new today.
Feminists
Many arguments are presented to contradict the misogynistic view from the Middle Ages. Both in the Southern Passion and in the Letter from the God of Love provide several similar arguments in support in women. Two such arguments stood out to me particularly. First is the point that men only scandalize women so because men are liars and hypocrites and generalize the female population too quickly. I believe that, in revealing this point, the authors commit the same hypocrisy that they accuse men of. The authors say that is ridiculous for people to generalize women or anyone else. Yet, in the Southern Passion the author directly calls men, "loudmouths and liars." That itself is the very same generalization warned against just a few sentences later. The second argument that stood out as far less problems. In Christine de Pizan's work, she sites biblical material as her evidence of the virtuous qualities of women. Using the example of the virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, the author employs an effective argument. The behavior, that was totally natural, of those woman directly goes against the negative stereotypes. Not only is the source one that her learned audience would be aware of, but it is also irrefutable. This argument is the much stronger argument of the two mentioned here.
Monday, October 5, 2009
10/06 Beowulf #6
Character Changes
Beowulf, throughout the piece, is shown to be a very strong character. Not only does he have an impressive physical prowess, but Beowulf also displays strong leadership and intellectual capacities. However, he does show a change in character from the time he is a young man fighting Grendel and his mother to the time that he is an old king fighting the dragon. His change in character is seen in his motives for fighting each beast. When Beowulf goes to fight the trolls, he does not state that he is doing it for personal glory, but simply to come to the aid of a friend. However, when Beowulf goes to fight the dragon, while it is acknowledge that is doing it to defend his kingdom, one reason is mentioned over and over again. Personal glory. Beowulf and the narrator state several times that he is facing the dragon "for the glory of winning," and that he was "inspired again by the thought of glory." The desire for personal glory later in his life is much different from his motives in his younger days when Beowulf seemed to be fighting for causes less for his own merit and more to help others (and then secondarily himself).
Heroism
While Beowulf does not fit into some of the model of the Medieval hero, he does match it in several ways as well. Beowulf does not fit into the Medieval Code of Chivalry and idea of the hero in one important way. All Medieval knights were expected to "love the country in which they were born." We see in Beowulf as this is not necessarily true, as shown by the one that Beowulf passes down the crown to at the end of the story is from a rival tribe. Also, Beowulf himself, when fighting Grendel, first set off not for his own country, for an old friend's. However, besides this, Beowulf fits very well into the idea of a Medieval hero. Like all Medieval heroes, Beowulf was from not from noble birth, but instead a more common birth. Though he later works for the title of king. Also, Beowulf was often fighting as a "test of manhood and loyalty to the liege lord." Beowulf is a great example of warriors being loyal to their lords, or "ring-givers," through the other characters and Beowulf himself. Lastly, Beowulf is a good example of a Medieval hero because he shown to have an upright character. He is said to be "thoughtful and self-controlled," along with having impressive physical skill. These are characteristics that show Beowulf's moral character. So while Beowulf does not fit into the Medieval hero in one aspect, he does fit into the role in many other, more important ways.
Beowulf, throughout the piece, is shown to be a very strong character. Not only does he have an impressive physical prowess, but Beowulf also displays strong leadership and intellectual capacities. However, he does show a change in character from the time he is a young man fighting Grendel and his mother to the time that he is an old king fighting the dragon. His change in character is seen in his motives for fighting each beast. When Beowulf goes to fight the trolls, he does not state that he is doing it for personal glory, but simply to come to the aid of a friend. However, when Beowulf goes to fight the dragon, while it is acknowledge that is doing it to defend his kingdom, one reason is mentioned over and over again. Personal glory. Beowulf and the narrator state several times that he is facing the dragon "for the glory of winning," and that he was "inspired again by the thought of glory." The desire for personal glory later in his life is much different from his motives in his younger days when Beowulf seemed to be fighting for causes less for his own merit and more to help others (and then secondarily himself).
Heroism
While Beowulf does not fit into some of the model of the Medieval hero, he does match it in several ways as well. Beowulf does not fit into the Medieval Code of Chivalry and idea of the hero in one important way. All Medieval knights were expected to "love the country in which they were born." We see in Beowulf as this is not necessarily true, as shown by the one that Beowulf passes down the crown to at the end of the story is from a rival tribe. Also, Beowulf himself, when fighting Grendel, first set off not for his own country, for an old friend's. However, besides this, Beowulf fits very well into the idea of a Medieval hero. Like all Medieval heroes, Beowulf was from not from noble birth, but instead a more common birth. Though he later works for the title of king. Also, Beowulf was often fighting as a "test of manhood and loyalty to the liege lord." Beowulf is a great example of warriors being loyal to their lords, or "ring-givers," through the other characters and Beowulf himself. Lastly, Beowulf is a good example of a Medieval hero because he shown to have an upright character. He is said to be "thoughtful and self-controlled," along with having impressive physical skill. These are characteristics that show Beowulf's moral character. So while Beowulf does not fit into the Medieval hero in one aspect, he does fit into the role in many other, more important ways.
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