Tag Archives: Beowulf

Hamlet Taught Us a New Way to Grieve

In “Hamlet,” Shakespeare taught the world a powerful new way to grieve.

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Biden Is No Beowulf–And That’s Okay

Biden lacks Beowulf’s leadership charisma but has other gifts, ones recognized by Wiglaf.

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Joe Biden as King Hrothgar

Biden’s low poll numbers may be because, like King Hrothgar in “Beowulf,” he can’t prevent violence from breaking out in the great hall.

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Finn, Hengest, and Terror in Israel

The Finn episode in Beowulf applies only to well to the Hamas terror attack on Israel–and to the probable Israeli response.

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Grendel’s Mother Attacks Israel

Hamas’s attack on Israel brings to mind Grendel’s Mother, who is the archetype of perpetual blood feuds.

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“Beowulf” on Why Demagogues Arise

A recent study says sorrow as much as anger led to the rise of Trump. But Beowulf teaches us that the two are related (Grendel and Grendel’s mother).

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Are Stories a Trap? Not the Great Ones

A recent New Yorker article critiques our reliance on stories but makes the mistake of not distinguishing between different kinds of stories.

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This Time, Grendel Chooses Nashville

With another mass shooting, this one closer to home, I once again invoke “Beowulf.”

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Child Spy Rats Out English Teacher

The child spy tip line in Virginia received a complaint about how a teacher was teaching “Beowulf.” Meanwhile, a Texas school has banned Neil Gaiman’s works.

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