Consider these themes from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Battle forces people to acknowledge their mortality.Success in battle results in glory.
Read the excerpt from Grendel.He sang of battles and marriages, of funerals and hangings, the whimperings of beaten enemies, of splendid hunts and harvests. He sang of Hrothgar, hoarfrost white, magnificent of mind.When he finished, the hall was as quiet as a mound. I too was silent, my ear pressed tight against the timbers. Even to me, incredibly, he had made it all seem true and very fine.
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,came to himself. He yelled, he liftedhis massive axe, he swung it, it toreinto Humbaba’s neck, the bloodshot out, again the axe bit fleshand bone, the monster staggered, his eyesrolled, and at the axe’s third stroke he toppled like a cedar and crashed to the ground.At his death-roar the mountains of Lebanon shook,the valleys ran with his blood, for ten milesthe forest resounded. Then the two friendssliced him open, pulled out his intestines,cut off his head with its knife-sharp teethand horrible bloodshot staring eyes.
Read the two versions of the beginning of Yasmin’s narrative.Version 1: I took a long, lingering look at the tremendous beauty that surrounded me. Nature abounded as far as the eye could see, and the only sounds to be heard were the peaceful murmurs of that which existed in the wilderness. As I sat there, my tent and sleeping bag the only signs of civilization for miles, my heart swelled with relief that I had decided to take this weekend camping trip. I could feel every muscle in my body gradually relaxing with every sight, every sound, every smell within this untouched slice of tranquility. It was hard to believe that anything could disrupt the serenity of this place . . . but I could not have been more wrong.Version 2: Exhausted, I took one last look around me. I had been camping for only two short days, but I could not wait to get home and recount the adventures of my short stay in peace and tranquility. Hoisting my backpack onto my back, I grabbed my canteen and began the long trek back to my car. The question was not which story I should tell, but rather which one I should tell first.
Which line best helps the reader understand Grendel’s character?
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Enkidu said, "Don't worry, my friend,the dream you had is a favorable one.The mountain stands for Humbaba. He will falljust like that mountain. Lord Shamash will grant usvictory, we will kill the monsterand leave his corpse on the battlefield."Gilgamesh, happy with his good dream,smiled, and his face lit up with pleasure.
Read the paragraph from Yasmin’s narrative.I took a long, lingering look at the tremendous beauty that surrounded me. Nature abounded as far as the eye could see, and the only sounds to be heard were the peaceful murmurs of that which existed in the wilderness. As I sat there, my tent and sleeping bag the only signs of civilization for miles, my heart swelled with relief that I had decided to take this weekend camping trip. I could feel every muscle in my body gradually relaxing with every sight, every sound, every smell within this untouched slice of tranquility.
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh said, "Courage, dear brother,this is no time to give in to fear.We have come so far, across so many mountains,and our journey is about to reach its goal.You were raised in the wild, with your own handsyou have killed marauding lions and wolves,you are brave, your heart has been tested in combat.Though your arms feel weak now and your legs tremble,you are a warrior, you know what to do.Shout out your battle-cry, let your voice poundlike a kettle drum. Let your heart inspire youto be joyous in battle, to forget about death.”
chron = "time"The definition of chron is useful to know because it functions as
Read the reflection from Kara’s narrative.1 Ironically, it is from my much younger—and, I used to think, less wise—brother that I learned the value of being honest even when a lie may seem far more tempting at the time. 2 I knew that what he did that day must have been extremely difficult for him. 3 Yet there he stood, taking responsibility for his actions with not a glimmer of hesitation. 4 It is this determination and resolve to do what is right—even when what is right is not what is easy—that I remembered many years later in college when faced with a similar predicament of my own.
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