January 1066 was a time of chaos for medieval England. There were three people claiming the throne for themselves, and the result changed Europe forever. There was Harold Godwinson, the most powerful noble in England, who claimed that the king had promised to him the throne at the last minute, as he lay dying. There was William, Duke of Normandy, whom Edward had been friends with since they were children. Lastly, there was Harald Hadraada, a Norwegian noble who was given a claim to the English throne by King Magnus of Norway.
The conqueror at the time was William Duke, who became duke at the age of eight. Many battles happened during the time till he was around the age of 25. He soon fought in many battles to claim is rightful thrown in England. After the countless battles he survived, he continued his fight to move onto England. William gathered his men at Dives-sur-Mer in Normandy on August 4th,1066 by September 12th they set sail for Saint-Valery because it was a shorter sea-crossing.
Eardwulf was king of Northumbria from 796 until at least 806. Northumbria in the last years of the eighth century was the scene of dynastic strife between several noble families, and in 790, Æthelred I attempted to have Eardwulf assassinated. Æthelred himself was assassinated in 796. The reign of his successor Osbald lasted only twenty-seven days before he was deposed, and Eardwulf became king on 14 May 796. In 798 Eardwulf fought a battle at Billington Moor against a nobleman named Wada, who had been one of those responsible for King Æthelred 's death; Wada was defeated and driven into exile.
The 'Big Four, ' aka 'The Four Founding Physicians ' were larger-than-life professors and personalities: 1 pathologist William Henry Welch was a stout bachelor whose favourite pastime was a week of swimming, carnival rides and five-dessert dinners in Atlantic City; 2 surgeon William Stewart Halsted was a practising drug addict (cocaine and heroin) most all of his professional life and that had likely limited the amount of revolution he had brought to surgery; 3 gynecologist Howard Kelly was a snake collector and evangelical saver of souls; 4 internist William Osler was a Canadian and was said to be the king of
1. What purpose does Unferth serve? Unferth served the purpose to show a secondary antagonist against Beowulf. Grendel represent the evil envy creates in the world 2.
Historians have found that after studying the Bayeux Tapestry that more evidence shows that Harold indeed did swear an oath to William. William The Conqueror had the Pope’s blessing, this meant he had God on his side
Unferth challenged Beowulf upon his arrival because he was jealous of anyone who attained fame and glory. Beowulf had also promised to rid Grendel, who had been tormenting Hart. It is possible to say that Unferth challenged him in such a belligerent way because Unferth himself was not able to defeat Grendel. His embarrassment of his failure is what prompts him to act so contentiously. Unferth’s challenge to Beowulf beckons the question in the reader’s mind if whether or not Beowulf will be able to defeat Grendel.
The way Beowulf chooses to describe the Danish king is very notable; the words he use have a very deliberate effect on one’s idea of Hrothgar as a leader. Interestingly, Beowulf describes Hrothgar as a “shelterer of warriors”, emphasizing this protective, almost nurturing side of him rather than his power or his wealth (185). The fact that this is what he chooses to point out in his praising of Hrothgar seems to show how important this aspect of leadership is to him, and presumably to the Danes as well. It shows that despite the fact that ideas such as strength and skill are often associated with warriors such as the Anglo-Saxons, they are not the only important idea in this kind of society. Furthermore, despite the fact that Hrothgar is the king of the Danes, Beowulf calls him his “people’s loved friend” (185).
So every elder and experienced councilman/ among my people supported my resolve / to come here to you’” (Heaney 409-417). This first example suggests that Beowulf and his men come to Denmark to fight and help the people because he has heard about the terrible things Grendel has done, and thus starts the
Beowulf, born in the land of the Geats, makes the voyage over to the Danes upon hearing the problems troubling the Danes. Even though Hygelac told Beowulf not to, Beowulf went on ahead and he proves his worth, both to his king and the Danes’ king. In the time of crossing the waters, Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel’s mom, and then a dragon and he inspires one young man named Wiglaf. Wiglaf makes a valiant speech to get Beowulf’s men hustling in the line of defense, but ends up fighting alone. “He picked us out from the army deliberately, honoured us and judged us fit for this action, made me these lavish gifts- and all because he considered us the best of his arms-bearing thanes”
b. Beowulf i. Chose to fight with his men around him to help if
Grendel attacks the Danes because he is an evil creature, and hates the happiness of the Danes in the Heorot hall. All the noise that the men make causes Grendel to become very irritated and does not want them to be celebrating and partying at all. Grendel's attacks kills many Dane warriors. Grendel wants to kill every single warrior that is the Heorot hall. The only thing that can help the men stay alive is if they are not in the Heorot hall.
This is an example of a rushed decision, and if Beowulf was king he could have left his people helpless against
These values contribute toward Beowulf's Fame and determine his decisions and actions. Sometime after Beowulf returns victorious from Denmark, his king and father figure dies in battle. The Queen, afraid her own son was not capable of protecting them from their enemies, offers the crown to Beowulf. Beowulf declines this offer. " But Beowulf refused to rule when his Lord's own son was alive."
To be a foil character, one must “contrast with other characters in order to highlight particular qualities of the other characters.” Throughout Hamlet, four prominent characters are foil characters to Hamlet: Laertes, Fortinbras, Horatio and Claudius. In many cases, Hamlet and the foil characters react differently for each other in varying situations but yet show similarities in their reactions. The relationship created between Hamlet and Laertes takes a shift from the beginning of the book towards the end.
