Category I: Day vs. Night
Day and night in the manuscript of Beowulf becomes very symbolic of the events that are unfolding. Daytime becomes symbolic of safety and well-being whereas nightfall becomes symbolic of danger and terror.

"So, after nightfall, Grendel set out
for the lofty house, to see how the Ring-Danes
were settling into it after their drink,
and there he came upon them, a company of the best
asleep from their feasting, insensible to pain
and human sorrow. Suddenly then
the God-cursed brute was creating havoc:
greedy and grim, he grabbed thirty men
from their resting places and rushed to his lair,
flushed up and inflamed from the raid,
blundering back with the butchered corpses.
Then as dawn brightened and the day broke,
Grendel's powers of destruction were plain..." (115-127)
In this passage we see the onslaught of Grendel the monster. As the passage explains Grendel waits for nightfall to attack the people of the mead hall and he inflicts as much horror and devastation as possible. The fact that he waits until nightfall is very interesting to me. When I think about nightfall, I think of darkness, poor visibility, and the unknown; all characteristics which cause fear and panic. Fear and panic also happens to be what Grendel has struck in Hrothgar's people. Then, when dawn breaks the devastation of Grendel's attack becomes clear. All that was dark and unknown has become exposed by the day's sun and the danger of the night has been lifted. This fact is why this passage was so indicative of what I believe the function of day and night in this manuscript to be.

"Then morning came and many a warrior
gathered, as I've heard, around the gift-hall,
clan-chiefs flocking from far and near
down wide-ranging roads, wondering greatly
at the monster's footprints." (836-840)
This passage comes just after Beowulf defeats and kills Grendel. As opposed to the passage above, in this passage it is daytime. We can see very clearly the difference in tone that each passage portrays. In the first passage we see words used like "butchered" and "corpses" whereas in this passage we find words like "flocking" and "wondering" (125, 838, 839). The stark difference in word choice here portrays the differences that day and night bring as well. At night we see fear and panic because men are being butchered and killed. However, in the daytime we see a sense of freedom with men "flocking" and "wondering greatly" (838, 839). For me, this draws a picture of the morning sun rising and lifting a weight off the shoulders of the warriors that have been living fearful in the night.

"They went to sleep. And one paid dearly
for his night's ease, as had happened to them often,
ever since Grendel occupied the gold-hall,
committing evil until the end came,
death after his crimes. Then it became clear,
obvious to everyone once the fight was over,
that an avenger lurked and was still alive,
grimly biding time. Grendel's mother,
monstrous hell-bride, brooded on her wrongs." (1251-1259)
In this passage we meet Grendel's mother who has set out to avenge the death of her son. Like we have seen already in this story, this attack happens after the sun goes down and all is dark. I was particularly intrigued by this passage because of the word choice that the author uses to explain that it is nighttime. Instead of saying that it was "after nightfall" like we have seen before, the author lets us know it is nighttime by saying that the warriors were asleep (115). I find this so intriguing because the act of sleeping suggests a type of vulnerability. Therefore, vulnerability can now be attributed to nightfall and this makes perfect sense to me. It is when the day's sun has gone down that fear, panic, and vulnerability set in because, as this passage explains, the attacks that come at night "had happened to them often" (1252). On the other hand, during the day one is usually awake and because of this they are more attuned to what is going on around them and can better defend themselves. Additionally, the light that day break provides prevent monsters like Grendel and his mother from lurking in the shadows and sneaking up on their prey.

"...the prince of the Weather-Geats
was impatient to be away and plunged suddenly:
without more ado, he dived into the heaving
depths of the lake. It was the best part of a day
before he could see the solid bottom." (1492-1496)
Here is when we see Beowulf plunging to the bottom of a lake where Grendel's mother lives. He is doing so in order to avenge her attack on Heorot. This passage creates such great imagery that goes along perfectly with the opposition of day and night apparent in this manuscript. The author uses the word "heaving" to explain Beowulf's advances through the water (1494). For me, this creates an image of Beowulf being swallowed up by the water and the darkness that comes as he gets deeper into the lake. This is so intriguing to me because of the reason he has plunged to the depths of the lake to find Grendel's mother. He is doing this, essentially, to kill her for her wronging the people he has dedicated himself to defend. The fact that he is being swallowed up by the water and the darkness is symbolic of how he is also being swallowed up by vengeance. Again, we are seeing here that darkness is equated with the danger and terror that battle brings.

"A light appeared and the place brightened
the way the sky does when heaven's candle
is shining clearly." (1570-1572)
This passage comes directly after Beowulf defeats Grendel's mother. It depicts again the light that comes after evil is defeated and we saw the same thing happen when Beowulf defeated Grendel. It was interesting to me that the word "heaven" is used in this passage because we just saw Beowulf plunging downward toward hell to complete his murderous deed (1571). It is not a coincidence that now that the deed is done, we see the reference to heaven as Beowulf submerges himself from the depths of the lake. As I was reading this I could envision Beowulf finding the light from the sun as he neared the top of the water and I could see clearly why the reference of heaven would be made. Such great imagery! It depicts the juxtaposition of day and night throughout this story.

Category II: Gift-Giving & Reward
The category of gift-giving and reward is one I chose because it is so prevalent throughout this story. We see it being used in this story the same way monetary exchange is seen in our society today and I find the comparisons between then and now very interesting.

"They stretched their beloved lord in his boat,
laid out by the mast, amidships,
the great ring-giver. Far-fetched treasures
were piled upon him, and precious gear.
I never heard before of a ship so well furbished
with battle-tackle, bladed weapons
and coats of mail. The massed treasure
was loaded on top of him..." (34-41)
In this passage we see the burial at sea for Shield, the founder of the Danish royal line. We learn here the value that was placed upon gifts and treasures during this time period. We see here that Shield is referred to as the ring-giver which we can take to mean that he has given many a gift in his day. He has also been the receiver of great gifts as he was buried at sea with all of his treasures. Not only was he buried at sea with these possessions but they were "loaded on top of him" (41). I find this to be so intriguing because these treasures basically served as a coffin for Shield. I believe that coffins serve as a safe-haven for us as we pass on. It is so interesting to me that these treasures were used in the same manner so as to keep him safe in the afterlife. If this does not speak to the importance these treasures held in this society, I do not know what will!


"This is my hope: and for his heroism
I will recompense him with a rich treasure." (385-386)
Hrothgar is speaking in this passage of what he will give to Beowulf should he defeat Grendel and save his people. This is a short passage but explains the ways by which gift-giving was used during this time. In this case, Hrothgar is offering a "rich treasure" as what would serve to be the trophy if he killed Grendel (385). This is so strange to me as today murder (however justified) is something punishable by prison or even the death penalty. Here, though, the act of murder is described as heroic...heroic enough to receive a "rich treasure" for committing it (385). It is, for this reason, why I chose this short passage because it was for the first time that I was confronted with the reward system of this time which seems to have been replaced with our justice system.

"Then Halfdane's son presented Beowulf
with a gold standard as a victory gift,
an embroidered banner; also breast-mail
and a helmet; and a sword carried high,
that was both precious object and token of honor." (1019-1023)
In this passage, we witness the "reward ceremony" that was held after Beowulf's defeat of Grendel. As promised, Hrothgar rewarded Beowulf with "rich treasure" for his victory (385). As I was reading and came across this passage a few questions were called to my mind. I could not help but wonder about the role that this reward system plays in this story and the role it played during this time period. Both Grendel and Grendel's mother were considered to be monsters. Is this why their deaths were celebrated and Beowulf rewarded so greatly? Is it safe to say that since Grendel's mother was not even given a name she couldn't possibly be important enough to be mourned? During this time, if a human being were killed was it celebrated in the same ways the deaths of these monsters were celebrated? Would the murder of a human being be celebrated so long as it was justified? I guess I can't help but question this because we are never faced with the death of a human being at Beowulf's hands in this story. Perhaps it is something that stuck out to me because it is so vastly different from how we treat death and murder today. I guess I never really resolved these thoughts and I am still very intrigued by them.

"The cup was carried to him, kind words
spoken in welcome and a wealth of wrought gold
graciously bestowed: two arm bangles,
a mail-shirt and rings, and the most resplendent
torque of gold I ever heard tell of
anywhere on earth or under heaven." (1191-1196)
This passage reflects the time in which Beowulf has defeated Grendel's mother. Once again, Hrothgar is rewarding him for his heroism. Since this is a recurring theme we see repeated in this story, I was not as intrigued by it happening yet again when I read it. Instead, I was more interested in the language used in this passage. At the end of this passage, the author refers to the gifts that Beowulf has received as the most beautiful "anywhere on earth or under heaven" (1196). The fact that he attributes gifts to something as renowned as heaven is remarkable to me. Heaven is usually characterized by a place free of evil, a place free of pain and sorrow. In this passage these gifts are equated to heaven, yet Beowulf is receiving them for a murder he has committed which is the antithesis to what heaven stands for. In our modern society, if you live a life full of sins such as murder, you are said to go to hell. Here, in the warrior tradition, you do not go to hell, the exact opposite, you receive gifts that are as valuable as heaven. I just can't seem to buy it!

"Then the gold hilt was handed over
to the old lord, a relic from long ago
for the venerable ruler." (1676-1679)
This passage comes after Beowulf's defeat of Grendel's mother. Again, he is receiving a reward for his heroism and victory in battle. As I'm sure is obvious, I am baffled by the entire reward system for murderous and callous actions. I do recognize that during this era these were the traditions that were upheld, but living in the time that I do disables me from fully understanding and appreciating the practice. In this passage Beowulf is referred to as a "venerable ruler" (1679). A venerable person is one accorded a great deal respect and possesses much wisdom. I am having a hard time respecting Beowulf for killing. I try to find sympathy in the fact that he killed Grendel and Grendel's mother to protect the people of Heorot that were being terrorized by them, but I'm just a firm believer that "two wrongs don't make a right."

Category III: Christian Traditions
Christian traditions were extremely prevalent in this manuscript. It can be argued that the reason for this is because it was translated by Monks, and that they may not have been in the original work. Nevertheless, they are definitely worth noting.

"...May the Almighty
Father keep you and in His kindness
watch over your exploits." (316-318)
This passage comes shortly after Beowulf and his army arrive to help Hrothgar and his people. The warrior that guides Beowulf and his men to Hrothgar leaves them with these words of good fortune. In the Christian religion, it is a common belief that God is the "Almighty Father" and the determiner to the happenings of men on earth (316-317). It is here that we see this Christian belief shine through. The warrior guide is wishing that God will watch over them and keep them safe while on their crusade to take care of Grendel.

"...I hereby renounce
sword and the shelter of the broad shield,
the heavy war-board: hand to hand
is how it will be, a life and death
fight with the fiend. Whichever one death fells
must deem it a just judgment by God." (436-441)
Here is where we see another aspect of Christian tradition make an appearance. In the Christian religion the concept of "Eye for an eye" is very common. This concept is what we see here as Beowulf announces that he will fight Beowulf in the same capacity that Grendel is able to fight him. He relinquishes anything that might give him an edge or an advantage over Grendel. He makes sure that the fight is fair and equal. As I have stated in my entries regarding the reward system, I am not entirely convinced of Beowulf's actions being heroic, but I certainly think the fact that he ensures a fair fight with Grendel is honorable. In this passage we also see another element of the Christian faith. That is that God is the "Almighty Father" and the determiner of the outcome to the fight between Grendel and Beowulf (316-317). We know this because the passage concludes with the statement that the winner of this battle will be God's judgment.

"The monster wrenched and wrestled with him,
but Beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength,
the wondrous gifts God showered on him:
he relied for help on the Lord of All,
on His care and favor." (1269-1273)
This passage comes as the battle with Grendel's mother is underway with Beowulf. We see here, like in many of the other passages, the Christian belief that God is an omniscient being and the giver of life. Beowulf is crediting God with his "wondrous gifts" (1271). More particularly, his "mighty strength" which will carry him through to a victory against Grendel's mother (1270). What I find particularly interesting about this passage is that it seems as though there is an implication being made that Beowulf is turning to God almost as a plea to come out of this fight victoriously as he says "he relied for help on the Lord of All, on His care and favor." (1272-1273). I could not help but to think of the bargaining so many of us find ourselves doing when faced with a tough situation. As Christians, or even just as human beings, we turn to a power that is greater than us because we need help that we cannot necessarily provide ourselves. We bargain with this higher power to carry us through and I believe that this is what Beowulf may have been doing in this case. This point is so intriguing because it is a connection that we can make between Beowulf's time and our own.

"...holy God
decided the victory. It was easy for the Lord,
the Ruler of Heaven, to redress the balance
once Beowulf got back up on his feet." (1553-1556)
This passage takes place during Beowulf's fight with Grendel's mother. Again, it is portraying the Christian belief that God is the determiner of the events that take place here on earth. During the battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf is having some difficulty. However, God comes through for him and sets things as they should be, with Beowulf as the victor. I chose this passage because it coincides with the previous passage. I believe the previous passage to be a foreshadowing of the fight with Grendel's mother as it speaks of Beowulf's "mighty strength" and the advantage of having God on his side (1270). This passage, however, allows us to see the very moment at which the tides turned and Beowulf had the upper hand. At this moment is where a Christian would believe that God intervened and because of this intervention Beowulf defeats Grendel's mother.

"Much as he wanted to, there was no way
he could preserve his lord's life on earth
or alter in the least the Almighty's will.
What God judged right would rule what happened
to every man, as it does to this day." (2855-2859)
The repeated Christian belief that God's will is what will be is repeated here in this passage. In this passage we learn that Beowulf has been defeated and that his death is near. Even a warrior as strong and accomplished as Beowulf cannot change this fact because it is what God has already decided will happen. We know this because of the last two lines noted above. "What God judged right would rule what happened to every man, as it does to this day" (2858-2859). These last two lines also really interested me because again we see a connection that is being made between Beowulf's time period and our own. It has been proven once again that certain aspects of Christian tradition will withstand the test of time.

Category IV: Pagan Traditions
While the appearance of Christian traditions is seen in this text, we find more vastly that this text is riddled with Pagan traditions. Many could argue that this text was, in fact, a Pagan work and that the appearance of Christianity is only there because of the translation of the manuscript by Christian Monks.

"Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed
offerings to idols, swore oaths
that the killer of souls might come to their aid
and save the people." (175-178)
This passage comes just after Grendel's attacks on Heorot begin and Hrothgar and his people are beginning to get desperate and vulnerable for a reprieve. They hoped and prayed for a hero to arrive and save them. What is significant about that fact is that they prayed to "Pagan shrines" that they would be saved (175). In addition, they "offered idols" and "swore oaths" in order to be rescued (176). All of these things are acts that characterize Pagan traditions. For this reason, this passage is so important because it proves that Beowulf could be categorized as a Pagan text.

"I used to know him when he was a young boy.
His father before him was called Ecgtheow.
Hrethel the Great gave Ecgtheow
his daughter in marriage. This man is their son,
here to follow up on an old friendship." (371-376)
In this passage we learn that Hrothgar already knows the warrior that has arrived to attempt to save him and his people; Beowulf. He knows him because he knew his father, Ecgtheow, and he recognizes that he has shown up to pay back a debt that he is owed from Beowulf's family. This fact shows the value of kinship that is apparent in this text. Placing a high value on kinship is also a very Pagan tradition and one that we see displayed many time in this text. In fact, we see Beowulf being referred to as "son of Ecgtheow" repeatedly throughout the text (529, 1383, 1473, 1651). I believe that this repetition would not happen if Beowulf's lineage was not important and its importance provides further evidence that Beowulf is a Pagan text.

"Fate goes ever as fate must." (455)
This short line portrays a very important aspect of Pagan culture. This aspect is the belief that fate rules over our lives. We see this concept emerge many times throughout this text but I chose this line because I think it captures best the concept described above. In this line, Beowulf is speaking about his impending battle with Grendel. He is saying that what is meant to happen, will happen and that the outcome of this fight is predetermined because such is fate. I must admit that fate is a concept that I'm not sure I can get fully behind. I think that I view fate more as a security blanket to put myself at ease in situations that I cannot control. Come to think of it, this may be a process that Beowulf went through which is why this line emerges. Perhaps he is attempting to put himself at ease and calm his nerves before this crucial battle for if he leaves it up to fate he relieves some pressure that is on him to defeat Grendel.

"The embrace ended
and Beowulf, glorious in his gold regalia,
stepped the green earth." (1881-1883)
After Beowulf has defeated Grendel's mother he is received by Hrothgar with great praise for his accomplishments. This passage comes just after he has said goodbye to Hrothgar but more importantly, just after he has received his treasures for his good work. These treasures which have been summed up in this passage as "gold regalia" are also symbols of worldly goods that were so important during this time (1882). This appearance (which is one of many) of worldly goods portrays the materialistic culture of this time. Materialism also happens to be a very Pagan tradition worth noting. As portrayed in the second category of this commonplace book and in the lines above, materialism and the reward system that has sprung up time and time again in this story proves that Beowulf is certainly a Pagan text.

"...I risked my life
often when I was young. Now I am old,
but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight
for the glory of winning." (2511-2514)
This is a passage that comes just before Beowulf's battle with the dragon. He has identified something in this passage that is also a characteristic of Pagan culture. That is, the concept of the cycle of life. He has acknowledged here that he was once young and has grown old which depicts exactly what occurs in the cycle of life. Beowulf is also killed by the dragon which proves the life cycle concept further. Also, at the end of this passage we learn that despite his age he will go forward with this fight for the ultimate prize of glory. This also speaks to the argument that Beowulf is a Pagan text because doing something for the glory of winning is a prideful act. Having pride is a very Pagan tradition as well.

Category V: Portrayal of Death
I chose the portrayal of death as my final category because it is something that is seen repeatedly and in many different ways. It serves to be a very complex portrayal as it is celebrated in many different ways throughout the story.

"...The monster's whole
body was in pain; a tremendous wound
appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split
and the bone-lapping burst. Beowulf was granted
the glory of winning; Grendel was driven
under the fen-banks, fatally hurt,
to his desolate lair. His days were numbered,
the end of his life was coming over him,
he knew it for certain..." (814-822)
This is the passage in which we learn that Beowulf has defeated Grendel and has caused him very fatal wounds that will eventually kill him. The imagery in this passage is overwhelming. I envision blood and broken bones and the alliterations used in this passage certainly help to display this image. Grendel has obviously been mauled by Beowulf and thus will die as a consequence. I find that the harsh language we see here is very telling of the feelings that were had about Grendel. We see phrases like "sinew split," "bone-lapping burst," and "desolate lair" which have such negative connotations (816, 817, 820). When we compare this language to the language used in the passage describing Beowulf's death below, we can see the clear difference between how each character was viewed.

"So the Shieldings' hero hard-pressed and enraged,
took a firm hold of the hilt and swung
the blade in an arc, a resolute blow
that bit deep into her neck-bone
and severed it entirely, toppling the doomed
house of her flesh; she fell to the floor." (1563-1568)
The description of the death of Grendel's mother is very similar to the description of her son's death with the harsh language resulting in great imagery. The way in which the entire event is described in this passage allows me to clearly play it out in my mind. Again, the use of alliterations and kennings in this passage help to create this great imagery. When we compare this language to the language used in the passage describing Beowulf's death below, we can see the clear difference between how each character was viewed.

Tying it all together...

"Beowulf spoke: in spite of his wounds;
mortal wounds, he still spoke
for he well knew his days in the world
had been lived out to the end---his allotted time
was drawing to a close, death was very near." (2724-2728)
In this passage we see the death of Beowulf. Comparing and contrasting this description to the descriptions of Grendel's death and his mother's death portray the different ways death is displayed in this story. As I have said, the descriptions of the death of Grendel and his mother use harsh language and imagery that if seen on film would make you cringe. Their descriptions are unsettling and brutal. In contrast, we have the description of Beowulf's death. I believe their to be a calmness apparent in this description. The language is much less harsh and I do not envision blood and guts as I do for the demise of Grendel and his mother. Instead, I envision serenity and am reminded of the human being that Beowulf was as he is referred to as "mortal" (2725). This great difference is very telling of how each of these characters were viewed. Grendel and his mother were monsters; they were not human and to see their gory deaths made sense because they lived a gory existence. Beowulf, on the other hand, was viewed as a hero and a leader whose time of death should be portrayed as such. I chose this category and these passages because I appreciated the dynamic by which they work together to prove the point that warrior culture was to be viewed with great respect and valor.

Final Reflection
After completing my reading of Beowulf, and having to decide on which categories I would use for this assignment, I chose categories that I believed I would be able to best analyze. What better way to analyze something than to be able to connect it to your own life and/or the times in which you live? Being able to do this will allow me, in this final reflection, to tie together all of my categories into one neat package that allows me to view Beowulf in a different manner than before. Each of these categories have, in one way or another, been able to withstand the test of time.
The first category which portrayed the role of day and night in this story can also portray the role of day and night in today's world. Simply put, you never hear about someone being afraid of the light, rather you hear of someone who is afraid of the dark. This was true in this story because of the events that were taking place after the sun went down. Who knows, maybe the idea of monsters being under our bed came from the story of Beowulf.
For the category of gift-giving and the reward system of Beowulf's time parallels between then and now can be drawn as well. The best comparison between each era that can be made for this category is in the mob system we have seen in our modern world. A "mob hit" is basically the same act that we see Beowulf performing in this story. Grendel and his mother need to be killed and so Hrothgar hires Beowulf for the job and rewards him kindly when he completes it the same way a mobster would be rewarded for murdering someone for someone else. Who knows, maybe the mob bosses of our modern world, or at least the producers of The Sopranos, got the idea of this process from Beowulf.
The categories of Christian and Pagan tradition can certainly be tied into one for the sake of this reflection. We see a fusion of both traditions throughout this story and I believe the same to be true presently. I believe that very few people, now-a-days, follow one religion religiously (no pun intended), but instead follow a mix of beliefs from different religions. This is basically what we see taking place in Beowulf, a confusion of Paganism and Christianity and each of the characters walking a fine line between both.
Lastly, the category of death has elements by which we are able to draw parallels between then and now. Obviously, people died then and they still do now but much more can be said than just that. The different feelings that can be felt for different people that die is worth noting and comparing. During Beowulf we see that people rejoice in the death of Grendel and his mother whereas they are deeply saddened by the death of Beowulf. This type of thing happens today. Think about it in terms of the death of Osama Bin Laden versus the death of Chesley Sullenberger (A.K.A Sully the pilot). I think that it is pretty safe to say that if Osama Bin Laden were killed most Americans would feel just as Hrothgar's people did after Grendel and his mother were killed. On the other hand, if the death of Sully were to appear in our headlines, I'm sure many people would be saddened because of the heroism he displayed when landing his plane in the Hudson River and saving many lives. Yes, death was the same then as it is now but I assert that the way it is viewed is the same as well.
All of these explanations regarding the themes in Beowulf withstanding the test of time would certainly be a great paper topic that I'd love to use for the sake of elaboration. Additionally, I think that for the sake of comparison, Shakespeare can be added to the mix somehow because I cannot think of any author ever that has provided us with works that stand the test of time better than Shakespeare.
This assignment was extremely beneficial to my understanding of Beowulf and for the way in which I will read texts in the future. It taught me and allowed me to engage with this text differently than I have ever done before. It is unfortunate that I was introduced to "commonplacing" in my last semester of college as it would have afforded me a completely different learning experience in many of my other English courses. In terms of what this assignment helped me to realize in Beowulf, I believe the possibilities are really endless. I have read this story before and had a completely different experience with it this time. More than anything else, this assignment sort of forced me to rethink the heroism possessed by Beowulf. The first time that I read this story I was intrigued by his heroism. However, this time I focused on his pride rather than his heroism. After learning about the reward system in place and the glory that came along with the kill, I could not help but think that Beowulf was too prideful. I do not think I would have come to this conclusion if not for this assignment because I probably would have overlooked the exchange of gifts and treasures as so much more was going on than these exchanges, but since the "commonplacing" asked us to look for recurring themes (as small as they seem to be) I took notice and was able to do more than just scratch the surface.