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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Tag Archives: Beowulf
Joe Biden as King Hrothgar
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Donald Trump, gun violence, Joe Biden, Lewiston Maine killings, MAGA Comments closed
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 9-11, Grendel's mother, Hamas, Hamas terror attack, Israel, Terrorism, Timothy Snyder 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 anti-Semitism, Grendel's mother, Hamas, Israel, Oct. 7 Israel attack, Terrorism 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).
This Time, Grendel Chooses Nashville
With another mass shooting, this one closer to home, I once again invoke “Beowulf.”
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 Book banning, censorship, culture wars, Glenn Youngkin, J.R.R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, Sexism, teaching 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 Democratic Party, Election 2022, Election denial, GOP 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 Donald Trump, John Milton, Othello, Paradise Lost, racism, ressentiment, William Shakespeare Comments closed