This is delightful and certainly insightful work, Emma! Based on your first two posts, I'm inclined to assume that you're interested by temporal duality and its implications on the current reader; your integration of past and present, archaeology and ecology in this piece is example enough of this interest and your clear ability to articulate such. I think your mention of Beowulf's necklace (his "torque," as the scribe puts it) is especially fascinating, insofar that this goldware represents, in itself, a microcosm of your larger consideration of temporal overlap. For example, two names are immediately associated with this torque: Eormenric, a sinful king of days past; and Hygelac, who in fact loses the necklace when, in the future, "fate [sweeps] him away" due to greed and unchecked pride (1205-6). Here, we see a rare example of not juxtaposition but rather convergence—both kings die on sordid grounds, apparently leaving Beowulf a similar destiny. Wealhtheow instructs Beowulf to wear the necklace "for luck" (1217). Yet, only a few lines later "fate, the grim shape of things to come" is said to "[loom] over" Heorot, foreshadowing not only the coming arrival of Grendel's mother but also, I think, the treasure-lust that underlies Beowulf's demise (1233-35). Perhaps the necklace represents, as you say, a symbol layered with both memory and narrative, past and fate—something to be remembered as well as re-envisioned in and of itself.
Your exploration of the treasure trove in Beowulf really shines a light on the poem's glittering allure! From the dragon's hoard to Beowulf's burial with treasure, it's clear that bling was a big deal back then. Heorot, the grand mead hall, practically screams opulence and serves as a focal point for the story's drama and tragedy. Your dive into the significance of these treasures, both tangible and intangible, offers a fresh perspective on ecological thinking, blending history with lived experience. It's like digging into the past to uncover the gems of wisdom that can shape our future. And that final reflection on Andrew Johnston's analysis of Beowulf's necklace ties everything together beautifully, reminding us that even amidst the gleam of gold, there's a deeper story waiting to be unearthed
Once more into the fray, shall we? As with any thematic topic in Beowulf, we must broach the subject of treasure with upmost meticulousness because our poet doesn't necessarily give it to us straight. No, instead, we have a multitude of ways to approach this subject and, personally, I think you have hit the nail on the head, Emma! Interesting is the manner in which treasure, as you describe, is both a tangible artifact worth remembering and an intangible concept worth analyzing. Ecologically speaking, I cannot agree more. Broken down to its most basic definition, "treasure" merely connotes value. What is intrinsically important to us and why? This concept is all the more fascinating to discuss in the realm of Beowulf because our modern sensibilities give us an important tool: perspective. Beowulf certainly covets certain treasures throughout the poem, whether it be gifts from throneship or a discovered "hoard of gold." What me must consider, however, is the substantive value of said treasure to Beowulf. I talked in class a bit on motivation in relation to this topic. There isn't anything inherently special about the treasures themselves (one man's trash...you get it), but the motives for obtaining certain treasures. How do these motivations tie us ecologically to our surrounding peers and world? At the end of the day, we are but a sum of the choices we make. To perceive one's future aggrandizement and make it the center of attention could yield fraught results. Just ask that one unnamed goblet thief.
I love how you describe physical treasures (such as the mead hall) as also containing memories. Yes, many of the treasures mentioned in the poem also hold great monetary value, but certain elements also gain value from the memories that took place regarding them. I also see the importance of "digging up" the past to better understand the future. I really liked the archaeology analogy you made based on the Morton text.
How you connect ecological thinking to Beowulf's connections to artifacts, and treasures is cool. In your explanations, we see that when trying to understand ecological frameworks we need to look at material and intangible items from the past. Comparing traditional archaeologists and "ecological archaeologists" digging up past thoughts and experiences is interesting.
Hi, Emma, good work here! I kept being drawn back to the picture you provided of the ring scepter. It did make me laugh that Beowulf, a king and ring-giver (keening), had these elements of rings around him that further emphasized him being "one good king." I do enjoy your point about articfacts being ecologically significant. We see that directly in the poem with Beowulf passing down his treasures to Wiglaf, which one can assume Wiglaf does the same when he passes down his title. These artifacts within the poem also give the audience understanding of the setting of the poem and the outside influences it may have had (Norse mythology?). Anyway, interesting post!
This is delightful and certainly insightful work, Emma! Based on your first two posts, I'm inclined to assume that you're interested by temporal duality and its implications on the current reader; your integration of past and present, archaeology and ecology in this piece is example enough of this interest and your clear ability to articulate such. I think your mention of Beowulf's necklace (his "torque," as the scribe puts it) is especially fascinating, insofar that this goldware represents, in itself, a microcosm of your larger consideration of temporal overlap. For example, two names are immediately associated with this torque: Eormenric, a sinful king of days past; and Hygelac, who in fact loses the necklace when, in the future, "fate [sweeps] him away" due to greed and unchecked pride (1205-6). Here, we see a rare example of not juxtaposition but rather convergence—both kings die on sordid grounds, apparently leaving Beowulf a similar destiny. Wealhtheow instructs Beowulf to wear the necklace "for luck" (1217). Yet, only a few lines later "fate, the grim shape of things to come" is said to "[loom] over" Heorot, foreshadowing not only the coming arrival of Grendel's mother but also, I think, the treasure-lust that underlies Beowulf's demise (1233-35). Perhaps the necklace represents, as you say, a symbol layered with both memory and narrative, past and fate—something to be remembered as well as re-envisioned in and of itself.
Your exploration of the treasure trove in Beowulf really shines a light on the poem's glittering allure! From the dragon's hoard to Beowulf's burial with treasure, it's clear that bling was a big deal back then. Heorot, the grand mead hall, practically screams opulence and serves as a focal point for the story's drama and tragedy. Your dive into the significance of these treasures, both tangible and intangible, offers a fresh perspective on ecological thinking, blending history with lived experience. It's like digging into the past to uncover the gems of wisdom that can shape our future. And that final reflection on Andrew Johnston's analysis of Beowulf's necklace ties everything together beautifully, reminding us that even amidst the gleam of gold, there's a deeper story waiting to be unearthed
Once more into the fray, shall we? As with any thematic topic in Beowulf, we must broach the subject of treasure with upmost meticulousness because our poet doesn't necessarily give it to us straight. No, instead, we have a multitude of ways to approach this subject and, personally, I think you have hit the nail on the head, Emma! Interesting is the manner in which treasure, as you describe, is both a tangible artifact worth remembering and an intangible concept worth analyzing. Ecologically speaking, I cannot agree more. Broken down to its most basic definition, "treasure" merely connotes value. What is intrinsically important to us and why? This concept is all the more fascinating to discuss in the realm of Beowulf because our modern sensibilities give us an important tool: perspective. Beowulf certainly covets certain treasures throughout the poem, whether it be gifts from throneship or a discovered "hoard of gold." What me must consider, however, is the substantive value of said treasure to Beowulf. I talked in class a bit on motivation in relation to this topic. There isn't anything inherently special about the treasures themselves (one man's trash...you get it), but the motives for obtaining certain treasures. How do these motivations tie us ecologically to our surrounding peers and world? At the end of the day, we are but a sum of the choices we make. To perceive one's future aggrandizement and make it the center of attention could yield fraught results. Just ask that one unnamed goblet thief.
I love how you describe physical treasures (such as the mead hall) as also containing memories. Yes, many of the treasures mentioned in the poem also hold great monetary value, but certain elements also gain value from the memories that took place regarding them. I also see the importance of "digging up" the past to better understand the future. I really liked the archaeology analogy you made based on the Morton text.
How you connect ecological thinking to Beowulf's connections to artifacts, and treasures is cool. In your explanations, we see that when trying to understand ecological frameworks we need to look at material and intangible items from the past. Comparing traditional archaeologists and "ecological archaeologists" digging up past thoughts and experiences is interesting.
Hi, Emma, good work here! I kept being drawn back to the picture you provided of the ring scepter. It did make me laugh that Beowulf, a king and ring-giver (keening), had these elements of rings around him that further emphasized him being "one good king." I do enjoy your point about articfacts being ecologically significant. We see that directly in the poem with Beowulf passing down his treasures to Wiglaf, which one can assume Wiglaf does the same when he passes down his title. These artifacts within the poem also give the audience understanding of the setting of the poem and the outside influences it may have had (Norse mythology?). Anyway, interesting post!