Tag Archives: Beowulf

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

Grendel’s Mother Attacks Israel

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments closed

“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).

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , | Comments closed

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

This Time, Grendel Chooses Nashville

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , | Comments closed

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Election 2022: Win or Lose, Beowulf

Two passages from “Beowulf” to capture feelings of despondency and elation, depending on how the election went for you.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , | Comments closed

Iago Resentment Is Destroying America

The “ressentiment” that drives Iago to destroy Othello is present in our own society and equally destructive.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

On Grendel, a Boston Bar, and a Texas Law

A case involving a Boston bar (Grendel’s Den) may be invoked in legal challenges to the new Texas abortion ban. What would Beowulf do?

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , | Comments closed