Beowulf (1887-2390)

I don’t have much time to reflect on another good discussion that began with the juxtaposition of the role of a queen to the role of the king. The queen “should weave peace” (1942). The king should spend his time “dispensing rings” (1970). Though you didn’t explicitly compare these two roles (perhaps the subject of a future conversation?) you did note the queen’s role as weaver associates her with the same distaff work Penelope did in The Odyssey. You spent more time considering the symbolism of rings. The dispensing activity symbolizes the king’s generosity. The acceptance of such a gift signals the vassal’s loyalty. Rings are also round, and are suitable symbols of the cyclical nature of power in the poem. As circles, rings symbolize eternal unity and permanence. One can never come to the end of a circle. I also liked your notice of the kenning “sky-plague,” which describes the dragon. He spreads havoc like a plague, consuming whole villages. His association with fire also connects him with evil out of hell. I wish you had spent more time following the nuances of this metaphor. Similarly, I wish you would have looked more carefully at the dragon’s lair and the circumstances that wake him up. I am out of time and so will hope to hear more on Monday.