Flattery, an awful sin that condemns you to one of the lowest levels of Hell... errrr...?

On page 187 in Canto 18, we are first introduced to the flatterers. These people are sunk in a pit of excrement. Dante talks to one of these, who says his name is Alessio Interminei from Lucca. He says he could not stop his tongue from incessant flatteries. Another woman is pointed out to Dante, Thais, who was sent here for flattering her lover by saying, "You are marvelous."

Now, take a step back and look at this situation. Not only are these people punished in such a way, they are in one of the lowest levels of Hell, all for telling your lover, "You are marvelous."? These seems like a cruel punishment for merely telling the man you might marry that you think they are wonderful.  And even if Alessio was constantly flattering, is it really worthy of being in one of the lowest levels of Hell?

Although people who constantly flatter their superiors in order to move up the in world, sin by doing so, a little, "I like your dress" or "You are wonderful" should not be so cruelly punished.

Why then are these poor souls banished to such a foreboding place as Malebogle, for somewhat minor offenses?

Wait, where'd Zeus come in?

On page 141, in Canto 14, in lines 49 - 60 where Dante and Virgil's meeting with Capaneus is described, "And he himself who picked up what I said, hearing me ask my guide about him, cried, 'What I was living, so am I still, dead! Jove can go break his blacksmith's back with work, from whom in wrath he took the thunderbolt that ran through me on my last day on earth -- or wear the others out in endless shifts under Mount Aetna at the pitch-black forge, hollering, "Vulcan, help, I need your help!' As he did on the Phlegran battlefield, and hurl his lance through me with all his force -- he'd get no joy in his revenge."'"

Whoa, whoa, whoa -- back up. Why are the Roman gods mentioned here, in a Christan comedy? And not just mentioned, but actually doing godly acts, like killing people. Since when was blaspheming non-existent gods worthy of putting you in hell? Also, Plato and Socrates, both of whom we found in the first ring of hell, emphasized in their writings that they did not truly believe in the gods of their society. If Dante is being consistent, why are they up there with the unbaptized, instead of down here with the blasphemers?

~Hannah

The doomed blank banner

In Canto 3, pg 25, lines 31 - 42, it says, "Said I -- a blind of horror held my brain -- 'My Teacher, what are all these cries I hear? Who are these people conquered by their pain?' And he to me: 'This state of misery is clutched by those sad souls whose works in life merited neither praise nor infamy. Here they're thrown in among that petty choir of angels who were for themselves alone, not rebels, and not faithful to the lord. Heaven drives them out -- to keep its beauty pure, nor will the deep abyss receive their souls, lest they bring glory to the wicked there.'"

And lines 52 - 69: "And I, beholding, saw a banner fly, whirling around about and racing with such speed it seemed that is would scorn to stand, or pause, and all behind that flag in a long file ran, I had not thought death had unmade so many. When I recognized a few of these, I saw and knew the craven one, who made the great denial. Immediately, I understood the truth: this was the low sect of those paltry souls hateful to God and to his enemies. These worthless wretches who had never lived were pricked into motion now perpetually by flies and wasps that stung their naked limbs and ran the blood in furrows down their faces, which, mingled with their tears fell to their feet, where loathsome maggots gathered up the rot."

So we find those who did not chose either good or evil. As a result, they are condemned to forever chase after a blank banner with wasps following and stinging them. Heaven refuses them, because they did not chose good, and hell refuses them, because they did no wrong.

These undecided and cursed souls and angels are chasing a blank banner because they did not chose a side in life, so they now follow no one, supporting a non-existent cause, with a non-existent leader. Because they refused to make a decision and move in life, they now are forced into action by the eternal stinging of wasps. The wounds created by the never-ceasing stinging bleed and mingle with their tears, falling to the ground as maggots feed on it. This blood, which could have been used in life to support good, is now wasted on the nourishment of maggots, just as their lives were wasted on earth.

If such a place really exists, unfortunately, many people from our day and age would be condemned there. Much of our society is agnostic. Many proclaim themselves Christian but do not attend church. some are too afraid to proclaim their faith in public. If these do not change the courses of their lives, then they too will be condemned to chase the blank banner of Canto 3.

~Hannah

Agnostic

Just after Dante enters Hell, he hears the cries of many people. When he asks Virgil who these people are, he tells him that these are the undecided, who did not choose a life of good or of evil. These people are the outcasts. Heaven will not take them, because they did not choose to be good, but Hell will not fully take them either, because they were not evil enough to be banished there. Now they will perpetually run after a blank banner, being stung into movement by bees and wasps.
Arguably, these people could be some of the worst off. They don’t belong anywhere, not in Heaven, not in Purgatory, not even in Hell.

The dammed who are banished here are constantly stung by bees and wasps which cause them to move. This is because their own weak will could not decide anything for themselves, so they are now forced into movement, a painful dance after a blank banner, which symbolizes their lack of leader and their lack of purpose. Since they could not find it in themselves to follow God or the Devil, they now follow no one, a nothingness that will give them nothing, but takes everything, their lives, their afterlives, their ability to choose what they want. A people of helplessness live here, not being able to accept or decline.
These people are practically the definition of agnostic. In life God was not accepted, but also not fully rejected. There are so many people like this in our world. Some don’t think there is enough evidence to prove the existence of God, then again, they say there isn’t enough to prove He doesn’t. Although we should not need proof of God’s existence, these people are caught in this endless circle of is, is not. The saddest part of this denial is the people who call themselves Christians, but never go to Church. Although they think this is all they have to do, that going to Church is not necessary, it is vital for them to be true Christians. They will be led in this blind way of turning a blind eye to the truth until they die and are sent to this desolate place.

The First Circle...

In the first circle of hell, Dante places those who have not been baptized but still led blameless lives. Here we find people such as Socrates, Plato, and Homer; people who had been born and had died before Christ was born. We also see men and women who lived too far away from Israel to have heard the good news before they died. Infants who were born and then died before baptism come here as well.

But let's say that a good Christian lived his life faithfully, but did not receive his last rites. Wouldn't he go to this layer as well? Or would he go deeper into hell? That would not make sense, but we have read up to Canto 8, and discovered five layers of hell. Surely, we should have passed this layer, if there is such a one, by now.

Of course, there is the possibility that these people would go to purgatory. But then, why wouldn't the unbaptized go as well? They did nothing wrong, as did those who did not receive their last rites, why should the unbaptized suffer in hell with no chance of redemption?

~Hannah

"Heaven" in Hell (Inferno)

While in Hell, Heaven is not mentioned by name, neither is Mary, Jesus, God, or any of the saints.
This makes sense. You do not speak of Heaven in such a place as Hell, as you do not speak of Heavenly things.

Long phrases are often used to get around this matter, such as on page 29 in Canto 3 it is said: "Only know that it is willed where power is power to do whatever it will." In other words, Heaven.

These allusions are used throughout, until you hit page 61 in Canto 6 where Dante just spouts off: "...for a great longing presses me to know if HEAVEN sweetens them or Hell poisons them."

Alert, Alert, Heaven Alert!! *fire truck noises* "Ooowh. Oowwhh."

Why was the rule suddenly broken? What allowed this sudden illegal use of a censored word?

From the Thanes and Danes Point of Veiw

Well...here's my poem. :)


Mighty Beowulf readied for his battle with the malevolent mother of Grendel.
He donned his thick and regal chainmail, enviable by all of the devoted warriors.
With pride he placed his beaten-gold helmet upon his worthy and noble head.
Despite his brute strength, Beowulf wielded a sword,
An unanticipated and unexpected loan from the unruly Unferth.
Resolutely, Beowulf stood poised at the edge of the mire.
All present held their breath and prayed for his safe return.
Then, the gallant hero jumped into the monster-infested goop.
A lone voice sounded in the silent and suspenseful air.
“Alas, what a tragic and sad pity. He was a brave soul, indeed.”

~Hannah

Wiglaf

Wiglaf is one of my favorite charcters in this poem. He is loyal and brave.

When all the other thanes ran and hid in the woods, Wiglaf was the only one who would go to his lord and fight with him. He said,

"I would rather my body were robed in the same
 burning blaze as my gold-givers body
 than go back home bearing arms."

This powerful quote proves Wiglaf was not afraid to die. He would rather die with the man he loved and honored than to return home alive without having come to his aid.

During the fight, it was Wiglaf who wounded the dragon, giving Beowulf the chance to strike the fatal blow.

Seeing the trials that were to fall upon them now that Beowulf was dead, Wiglaf performed his duties admirably and with great courage and honor.

Given all this information, I feel it necessary to point out that Wiglaf would make a good name for a faithful dog. Unfortunately, we have already named our two dogs (Tori and Trixie), however, if I get another dog I will definately give serious consideration to the name "Wiglaf" and hope that my trusty canine can do the name honor.

Morgan's Poem

Ta Da... my poem:

The monster came munching on bloody meat.
Quivering with fear, the men hid in a corner.
Odysseys stepped forward brave and strong as always.
The giant looked at him peering at the great hero.
Swallowing loudly, the snack-sized hero approached the Cyclops.
Lifting the wine filled bowl Odysseus waltzed up to him,
"Here is a gift of lush wine given to you from warriors."
The monster laughed heartily, amused at the miny man before him .
His booming voice shook the cave, sending bats crying,
"No thank you diminutive human. I do not drink liquor."

Grendal's lack of description

It occured to me while I was reading Beowulf that there wasn't a clear description of Grendel. All we know is that he has an arm, which Beowulf rips off. I always assumed that a fuller description would come later, but it never did.

I think the poet might have done this intentionally. In not describing Grendel, he forces us (the readers) to imagine our own Grendel, the terrifying monster who lurks in the swamp by day, venturing forth at night to slaughter the sleeping humans. Each person is free to conjure up his or her own image of Grendel, which would terrify them personally.

~Hannah

Wording, Linked rings, and Bien.

Wording

On page 191 at the very bottom of the page, it says, "Both had reached the end of the road, through the life they had been lent." I love this wording, how the life they had lived out was not theirs, but lent to them by God.

Linked rings

On page 20, after line 2990, it says, "Eofor and Wulf were over loaded, by Hrethel's son, Hygelac the Geat, with gifts of land and linked rings..." At first I did not know what they ment by linked rings. Now I believe it means chain-mail, since they often refer to the linked mail.

Bier?

Both on page 209 and 210 they mention "bier." What does this mean?  Is it like a funeral pyer? Or...what?

Beowulf and the dragon's treasure

On page 111, lines 1612- 1619, it says, "The Geat captain saw treasure in abundance but carried no spoils from those quarters except for the head and the inlaid hilt embossed with jewels; its blade had melted and the scrollwork on it burnt, so scalding was the blood of the poisonous fiend who had perished there. Then away he swam, the one who had survived the fall of his enemies, flailing to the surface."

Beowulf saw the bountiful treasure of Grendel and his mother, but he didn't touch it. Then why was he so eager to send Wiglaf to fetch some of the treasure of the dragon? What was the difference between these two hordes? Why was it not okay to steal from Grendel's mother's horde (even though he had killed both of them) and okay to take the treasure from the dead dragon?

~Hannah, the confused reader of lost treasures and dying kings

The little dagger that could.

In the book, constant references are made to Beowulf's strength. In the fight with Grendal, he refuses wepons and kills him with his bare hands. When he fights Grendal's mother, he tries to use a sword but it does not work. He then uses a giant's sword to kill her, but it melts. Now when he fights the dragon, his sword fails him again.

It says on page 181, line 2682, "It was never his fortune to be helped by the cutting edge of wepons made of iron." This says somthing about his honor. He is so great that wepons made of mere iron could not help him.

But at the very end, on page 183, he kills the dragon with a small dagger. Did not the other, more powerful sword do no damage, but this little dagger does?

Little Dot jumps in.

On page 151, line 2220, there is some odd spacing and many dots.

"But he soon began
to shake with terror;......in shock
the wretch...........................
............... panicked and ran
away with the precious ..........
metalwork."

These dot could mean a pause, but this does not make any sense.  "The wretch *long unneeded drawn out  pause* panicked". Or "Precious *gasp breath huff* metalwork"?

Maybe the writer put the dots in so he could rhyme correctly without having to change the wording.

Or maybe Little Dot from the comic strip was created much earlier than we think.

Old man Beowulf, a few words, and 'bone-houses"

Old Age

On page 151, line 2208 - 2210, it says, "[Beowulf] ruled it well for fifty years, grew old and wise as the warden of the land." So Beowulf ruled as king of the Geats for fifty years -- how old is he now? Let's say he was 20 when he defeated Grendel. Now he's over seventy, and taking on a dragon?

Perhaps the poet is using age to portray greatness, like some believe with Moses' age. Admittedly, no one is claiming that Beowulf is 120 years old, but perhaps the poet is using the same concept?

Few Words

Also, on page 153, line 2246 - 2266, it says, "[The man who buried the treasure's] words were few: 'Now, earth hold what earls once held and heroes can no more; it was mined from you first by honorable men. My own people have been ruined by war; one by one they went down to death, looked their last on sweet life in the hall. I am left with nobody to bear a cup or burnished plated goblets...(long speech continues)...Pillage and slaughter have emptied the earth of entire peoples.'" His words were few? Is this the poet's idea of sarcasm?

'Bone-house'

Lastly, on page 169, lines 2506 - 2508, there are some beautiful and figurative lines of poetry. "No sword blades sent him to his death, my bare hands stilled his heartbeats and wrecked the bone-house." Wow, that is some very strong and cool language. I especially love how the poet renames the skeleton a 'bone-house.'

~Hannah

Accept the hospitality, but kill them later.

On page 72-81 of Beowulf, the story of the Danes is told. The Fins and Danes fought and when the Fins came on the brink of being victorious, a truce was made. The Fins kindly board the Danes for the winter, because their leader was killed in the fight. When spring comes, the Danes rise up agansit the people who had given them their hospitality for the cold winter season, kill their leader, and carry off his wife.

The odd part of the story is that the Danes are the ones who are the heros. How could you look up to someone after they turned on the people who refrained from killing them and kept them safe for many months? Talk about a problem with your mortality!

Fin

Saint Augustine had many great ideas, giving us many tricky problems to attempt to sort out. Some of which we did, and some we could only guess at. This was a great book for us to get started on reading for more meaning and understanding. The other books now will (hopefully?) be easier. :)

Saint Augustine's "The Confessions"
Fin

Good bye, Saint Augustine

Hurray! We've finished The Confessions of Saint Augustine! Although his language was dated, his ideas were still very real and apply to us today. I enjoyed reading this book because he pondered every little concept and gave his opinion, allowing readers today to get to know him.

Bye for now, Saint Augustine! Nice meeting you!

~Hannah

Beowulf, the Prideful

So far, I have noticed that Beowulf seems very proud and egotistical. When describing his swimming contest with Breca to Unferth, he said, "Now I can't recall any fight you entered, Unferth, that bears comparison. I don't boast when I say that neither you nor Breca were ever much celebrated for swordsmanship." (pg 39 and 41, lines 582 - 586) I hate to say it, Beowulf, but that sounded an awful lot like boasting to me.

Ironically, it is Beowulf's pride which actually allows him to beat Grendal. He decides not to use any weapons when attacking the monster, flaunting his strength and ability. Fortunately, this is exactly what will defeat Grendal, since no sword can cut through him.

~Hannah, the critical judge of overly proud heroes