Odin's Pawns : The Saga Of The Volsung

The death penalty is procedure conducted by the government by which a person is put to death as a punishment for a crime. The crimes that can sometimes carry the death sentence in places like the US are war crimes, treason, murder, crimes against humanity, espionage and genocide. 103 countries as of today have fully removed the death penalty except for special crimes e.g. War crimes. Although this is a step in the right direction (for most people) 56 countries are known to perform the death penalty.

It is inferred that the parents should take care of their children and have their best interest at heart. This however, is not the case in Greek and Roman mythology. The killing of ones own children, or filicide, was not viewed as negative upon in their era. The contemporary times contrast with the ancient Greek and Roman’s because it was justified to use any means necessary to obtain a higher status. The Greeks and Romans valued keeping a high social reputation and having respect for those of great power. The motherly union between their children conflict with the reality that the father strives to retain or gain control. These circumstances cause a tense bond between the members of the family. The strained parent to child relationship in

Beowulf: A New Telling, written by Robert Nye, is a book for adventurers who want to experience a time of good and evil. Beowulf came from an Anglo Saxon Poet around 700 AD in the Medieval time period. It was formed from an old English heroic epic poem. Beowulf: A New Telling was told in around 600 AD. Beowulf: A New Telling shows, if you know your strengths and your weaknesses, you will be able to conquer anything.

Slavery has been a deep wound in early American history and still to this date we see the reaping effects of our past. Slavery was a vile environment and a disgusting time in history, which had no humanity, it was inhumane. In American history we seldom hear the stories of the free new native African Americans in the 17th century. Solomon Northup was a native African American free man whom was kidnapped and sold to slavery. The hope in my research is not to victimize Solomon Northup, instead trace the history of slavery in all its forms to make sense of the origins of wealth inequality and the roots of discrimination we see today.

Beowulf has delighted and intrigued a wide array of people for centuries. The timeless nature is visible in modern-day extensions of this epic, through heroics and battles of good versus malevolent forces. Beowulf continues to appeal to sophisticated audiences because it tells the story of a great hero prevailing over evil, a timeless theme valued by society and portrayed by his counterparts in modern media, although these new heroes display more complex qualities.

Noticeably present, in fact, are references to each important character's ancestors and lineage. With each mention of a character, the father is also interjected (Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow or Wiglaf, son of Weohstan). Destiny initially comes into play when Beowulf arrives at the shores of Denmark and is unknown to the guards. King Hrothgar proclaims, “I used to know [Beowulf] when he was a young boy. / His father before him was called Ecgtheow” (lines 372-3). Clearly, family ties are necessary to succeed in the world of kings. Beowulf is immediately given leave to enter the country and to “follow up an old friendship” (line 376) because the King is certain that the young man is destined to be a great warrior in Denmark. Certainly, past conquests and victories play a part in Beowulf's renown, but ancestry is initially more impressive. Beowulf's destiny is, therefore, partly determined by his father's feats and legacy. The opportunities given to the now famous warrior are a result of the powerful family that he comes from. Thus, destiny plays a prophetic part in shaping Beowulf's future.

Stories often take inspiration from multiple styles of writings, including classical texts from modern literature. This is especially important when creating a fictional culture or race to create a sense of believability and help the readers visualize how the setting and characters will appear in their minds. Stories may sometimes place an influence on how other character are represented in the author's writing. One excellent example that takes use of ancient stories to create differentiating cultures is The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. His novel shows a large number of examples of inspiration taken from mythological tales and legends. He incorporates his interest such Celtic and Nordic mythology through characters who reflect

I will be doing my source analysis paper on the prologue of the Prose Edda. I’ve read this text previously in one of my humanities classes, which is why I chose this text to do my source analysis paper on. Snorri Sturluson, a Christian who wished to preserve the knowledge of the old religion of his lands, composed the Norse creation myth, Prose Edda. I found his molding of the myth into a story featuring a contest between the King and the Old Gods interesting. Kings want to be seen and known as gods to their people and become famous in their part of the world. It seems as though there were better intentions with the Old Gods, and that there was a desire to live as a good person in a good world without the desire for money and power.

The rigid and confined society of the Danes also shaped the way its people think and act, but also influenced greatly on the writings. Given the fact that metaphors and kennings are common in Old English literature; the representation of “evil” is also something not to be taken on a literal level. “Edgetho had begun a bitter feud / Killing Hathlaf, a Wulfing warrior” (459-460), inter-tribal feuds, therefore, are also a destroyer of peace. Grendel takes on a form that is left uncertain; its real meaning hidden behind the metaphorical mask of a monster, is the never-ending battles between tribal armies (namely, the Danes, Geats, Frisians, and the Swedes) that had disturbed the tranquility people had longed for. It is almost a barrier of peacekeeping, hider of hope. Hence, it is represented by Grendel, a great evil hated by many, whom

When a child was born, they were given a small Thor’s hammer (Mjolnir) ornament to safeguard them from illness and evil spirits. Boys usually took their father’s name, whilst girls often did likewise with their mother or grandmother’s name. Instead of going to school, children usually helped their parents on the farm, and learned Viking law, history, and religion from orally passed down stories and songs. By the time they were in their mid-teenage years, they were already considered to be an adult. It was also common for a girl’s father to choose her

The story of Beowulf is one of a great hero. Beowulf is a very generous person who is always willing to help out when people are in need. Over the course of the story, Beowulf ends up in three major battles: the battle with Grendel, with Grendel’s mother, and with the dragon. All of these battles were different in their style and the way Beowulf approached them was different. Beowulf also had different reasons to participate in each of the battles.

In Greek mythology, there is always a perpetual notion of power. The desire for power is associated with the father figure of a family. Furthermore, a father sets the tone for his family by setting rules and establishing their reputation. From the beginning of time, there has been angst in losing power, starting with the Earth and sky. Arising fear occurs when a father finds that one of his children is a threat to his throne. It also develops when a father realizes that since he sabotaged his own father, potentially his child could the same. Taking into consideration both of these cases, it is understood that a male parent in ancient Greek consciousness seeks a role having power. This thirst for power has resulted in the betrayal of wives and the attempt to destroy an upbringing of children. Through the fatherhood of Ouranos, Cronos, and Zeus, it is clear that their role is to exercise dominance, moreover keep away potential threats.

In the Saga, from the beginning Sigurd is already portrayed as a heroic figure. Thus, implying that heroism can be inherited. Before Sigurd was even born, his father, Sigurd, foresee that he "shall be famous and the foremost of our house" (21). From the very beginning, his hero status is expected from him. Despite him not even being born yet his fame is already being established. Sigurd is portrayed as hero, by establishing his fame "everyone says the same thing about him: in energy and statue none was his peer" (21). As a hero, ones' lineage plays an important role. Ones' family provide the necessary foundation to be heroic due to the pre-established fame and glory. Thus, it is easier for Sigurd to establish his own fame easier. In spite of Brynhild also coming from a heroic family she doesn't' get similar treatment. Despite, her passion to be a

     There are many similarities between the hero of the poem Beowulf and the heroes of the two Icelandic sagas, The Saga of The Volsungs and The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki. The former saga is an Icelandic saga representing oral traditions dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries, when Attila the Hun was fighting on the northern fringes of the Roman Empire; the latter is an Icelandic saga representing 1000 years of oral traditions prior to the 1300’s when it was written.

It was a normal day in the castle of Goranson. All the townspeople were tending to their work when an explosion made a loud sound that ran throughout the castle. Townspeople stood there shocked as the castle stood in silence. After the seconds of silence another loud explosion shook the castle followed by arrows flying throughout the castle and vikings screaming as they charge in. Everyone ran to get to safety and the vikings never followed. They only had one mission, to get the king and destroy the castle. When all the noise had stopped and all the screams were silenced the townspeople went to look outside to see that the castle was all burnt down. One farmer had said “Quick find the king”. They all rushed into various buildings only to find the king was not there.