Nothing More Then False Promises

    If you choose to be with me all give you everything I possibly can! Beds made of roses, gorgeous gowns, slippers made of gold and a life filled of nothing, but butterflies, romance, beauty, and a life with no worries! Can life get any better? Maybe this would be perfect for a disney fairytale story, but reality is that The Passionate Shepherd To His Love, by Christopher Marlowe although it makes me feel butterflies in my stomach, and allows me to feel the romance, the reality check is life isn't perfect and although he can promise his love all the beauties of nature. It does not change the fact that life is not perfect, life consists of worries, and issues which can't just be tossed off to the side and paid no attention to. 

   What better way to strike up a reality check to Marlowe as well as his readers then by mirroring word for word, how every line is nothing more then an unrealistic promise which can not be kept. The Nymph's Reply To The Shepherd, by Sir Walter Raleigh does an amazing job being successful at telling everything exactly how it is. Truth is flowers die, the youthful becomes old, whats viewed as pleasant and enjoyable won't always remain that way. My favorite line of all "is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall". This line tells it all without not even having to say much at all. What's that you may ask? It's crystal clear... yes, spring is filled with beautiful flowers, great weather, pretty trees, and filled with all types of natures beauty. But reality is fall will get here eventually, and as pretty as spring may have been, those beautiful flowers are going to die, the gorgeous perfect weather will become hideous and unpleasant, and those big beautiful green trees will drop all their leaves and be left bare. 

   Reality is although life has its pleasant times, it also has the unpleasant. Why make false promises? I feel that Raleigh did an amazing job demonstrating to Marlowe, that although its sweet that he is such a romantic reality is we don't live in a perfect world or a world thats even close to perfect. Courting a girl is adorable don't get me wrong, but reality is that not all girls lack brains so why make nothing more then false promises? If anything these false promises make it seem as if Marlowe has nothing worthy to actually offer the girl. Can't win a girl over without having something more to offer. In this situation I'm sorry to say it Marlowe, but your sweet words that come from the heart may just not cut it, especially now a days. 

   After having read these two poems separately, at first I did find courting a girl in this manner to be a sweet gesture, but then after having read them side by side I had a great change of heart. Marlowe's work became nothing but unrealistic nonsense. Reading both side by side also truly gave me a clearer view as to how Raleigh used the exact same writing technique, by creating his stanza's of the same length as Marlowe's, as well as by maintaining the same number of syllables per line make the poems rhyme in the same manner. Hate to have to break it to Marlowe, but reality is Raleigh has greatly left your works to look nothing but foolish in so many manners. What more is there to say other then better luck next time! The moral here is clearly don't make false promises unless you are ready to make a fool of yourself and reality is no one wants that. 

Truly Heroes? Or Simply Flaw Filled Knights?

    Many thoughts and ideas came to mind when it came to me beginning the brain storming process of writing my paper. The idea that greatest brought my attention was the thought of whether heroes were truly heroes or simply men with plenty of issues and flaws. The heroes we have been reading about have all proven to act very selfishly. Whether their selfish acts were caused by desires to be the best, and to increase their own ego's, or for a loved one, or simply for having the drive to live their life for as long as possible, these heroes have shown their true colors in many ways.
     The hero stories which captured me the most have in fact been those of Beowulf as well as that of Lancelot. The reasons why these two knights and heroes have captured my attention greatly was for the fact that Lancelot created a love triangle which led to many deaths including that of his own. Where as Beowulf has reached an intense level of desire to win and be the best, and be able to brag of everything he does.
     This led me to the simple question are these men truly heroes? or simply knights filled with flaws? Do these flaws make these heroes any less worthy? Do these knights still have good intentions at heart? Are they still following chivalry? Or are they just acting on what is for their own best? Although these men are acting selfish in many ways they do care for others.
     In many ways it just seems as if these men are putting themselves before others for once. However, isn't that natural human nature? Is it simply not considered acceptable for heroes for the fact that a thought has been placed in our minds that states that heroes should place the lives of others before themselves; however, there is in reality nothing wrong with them being selfish at times. In fact it is very probable that the reason why heroes like Beowulf and Lancelot act in the manner in which they do is for the simple fact that they have high expectations which have been created of them, and therefore anything less then these expectations are considered to be unacceptable in the eyes of many.
    This leads me to the answer that even though beowulf and Lancelot are in fact filled with various flaws, it does not change the fact that they are not perfect human beings, they are allowed to have flaws like the rest, and they are not any less worthy or heroic for acting selfishly at times. At the end of the day they still have saved the lives of many, and have in fact served all their chivalry duties that are expected of them as knights. They are honest and true honorable men for their people, while at the same time looking to do what's best for themselves as well.

A War Created By Love

   Morte Dartur, greatly demonstrates how the love of a knight and that of the Queen of King Arthur, has arisen many issues. The knight who was once loved by all his fellow knights, loved by his King Arthur, as well as held the heart of his beloved Queen, was known for caring for those around him as well as for having saved the lives of others on multiple occasions. The knight by the name of Lancelot had greatly earned the respect of his people; however, once many became aware of his affair with the Queen Guinevere, betrayal to his King Arthur became present. After King Arthur was told of this and proof was provided to him of these accusations, the war began.

   In attempt to save the life of Queen Guinevere, Lancelot rescued the Queen from the fire. However, this fairytale rescue where they both rode off and away from all dangers only created more complications. This event led to the death of many other knights who were loyal both to Lancelot, as well as to King Arthur. Although all the evidence points directly to Lancelot as well as the Queen Guinevere for being guilty of adultery, are they to be blamed for all the chaos?  Are they responsible for all of the deaths? If not blame Lancelot and Queen Guinevere who is to blame?

   After having analyzed Morte Dartur, various thoughts have come to mind such as the fact that those who are to blame for the chaos and the deaths are in fact those that ran off and snitched to King Arthur. This also greatly leads to the question of who proved to be a better knight? Those who ran to snitch to the King or Lancelot who had an affair with Queen Guinevere?  Lancelot’s only flaw as a knight appeared to be the fact that he betrayed the King Arthur by having an affair, but he did in fact serve his King well. King Arthur previously had no issues with having had an idea of the affair that is taking place up until the day it was brought to his attention by another knight.  

   Although feelings of pity have been created towards Lancelot and Queen Guinevere due to the fact that their love is truly genuine, and sincere, it does not create any hatred towards King Arthur for the fact that he was accepting of their love. This love triangle has been created in a manner in which it is not possible to blame Lancelot, Queen Guinevere, or King Arthur. It is only possible to blame those who were attempting to prove themselves to be better knights then Lancelot. In the end what is clear from this reading is that Queen Guinevere was kind and greatly cared for her King Arthur as well as for Lancelot. King Arthur was a great Christian King, who was kind to his people and loved and protected by his men, and Lancelot was one of the men who greatly protected King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, as well as saved the life of many others. All three died a harsh death, but they all died loved and honored in this war created by a chivalry love. 

Beowulf An Epic Times Hero

What are the makings of a hero? To many a hero may be an individual who greatly protects others, whether with super powers, or with there strength. However, it is of much importance to know that a hero is not only made up of strengths, if not every hero has a weakness... usually the weakness of heroes are much more complicated to distinguish then those of your everyday human being? Why you may ask yourself? It's simple every hero has a drive for victory that is never ending.

This leads me to wonder if its possible that a hero is so victory starving that they are constantly placing themselves at risk in order to save the day. However, when it comes down to it, can this possibly healthy? Does this drive actually keep them at a sane mentality or are they eventually turning themselves to be just as insane as the villain?

The villain is always known for starting the issues which arrise; however, in reality the heroes are constantly looking for new villains if not the same villains due to there great desire to win a victory. In some cases such as with Beowulf this has made the hero to be known for his conceitedness as well as his gigantic ego which is present throughout the entire story.

This is clearly even visible many years after Beowulf had won in battle with Grendel as well as with Grendel's mother. However, these victories as well as being a great ruler greatly cared for by his people weren't enough victories for Beowulf. This was demonstrated at an older age about 50 years after he had defeated Grendel's mother when a dragon appeared. Beowulf at an old age believed himself to still be capable of earning this victory. However, in this situation it was not possible for Beowulf to defeat the dragon alone. He did; however, manage to accomplish this by the help of the young Wiglaf.

Clearly, this is an example of how although a hero would love to win every battle, as well as to always have a feeling of pride and a large ego from there accomplishments, Beowulf is only human and is not invinsable; however, it brings him pleasure to know he died with great honor protecting his people, once again demonstrating he is in fact an epic hero.

An honored knight!

       What does it take in order to become a knight of honor? Making sure to satisfy the needs of every person you come into contact with? Protecting your people? Protecting those in Royalty? Doing everything neccessary to live to protect and serve as well as to honor your King?

         The life of a knight is clearly not simple. There strength, kind heart, and respect to themselves as well as to those they serve is present. A knight places his life in danger in order to possibly save the life of another. Knights are known for dying with honor, as well as with pride. A knight is willing to lose his life in an instant in order to provide safety for those around them. The list thing that comes to mind when the word knight comes to mind is betrayal. Much less a betrayal to your own King. However, what does it take to know if it is worse to betray your King or if it is worse to betray yourself as well as your own heart?

         In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain had great respect for his king and did everything possible in order to please as well as to serve him with respect and much honor. In a beheading game, Gawain attempted to behead the Green Knight; however, he was in fact unsuccessful and therefore, he knew that soon the Green Knight would attempt to behead him in return and would most likely be successful.
Almost every knight has a beautiful irresistable women who may or may not be tamed. In the case of Gawain this was no exception. A beautiful women had indeed won his heart; however, being as this women was untamable because she belonged to his oh so honored king, this created a betrayal to his king. Although in a way Gawain was in fact betraying his king with his heart having fallen for a wrongeful women, Gawain still went on a journey which he had to take in order to complete his mission. Although, Gawain had come to the conclusion that death was near for him, it does not change the fact that his love was present for this women which had know created second thoughts about death, these thoughts had created much fear.

       This fear soon led Gawain to admit to the Green Knight what it is he had done, and what he felt. This leads me to the conclusion of what truley makes Gawain an honorable knight? Is it the fact that although he greatly was emotionally hurting himself for loving someone he shouldn't he still remained by his kings side? The fact that although, he had become cowardly when it came to death he still went on his journey? Or the fact that he was indeed truthful to the Green Knight? It appears to me that all of those are qualities of a great knight, and although some of his actions are complicated to understand and attempt to analyze, he still performed all the duties expected of a knight.