1. College
In the chapter entitled "Baldr and Loki" in R. Page's book, Norse Myths, he takes a close look at the character Balder and how he relates to two very different stories of how he was killed. First is the Snorri version of the Death of Balder and second being the Saxo version. Page states that Baldr "is the best of all gods, fair in complexion and nature, wise, eloquent and full of grace, yet ineffectual."(Page 47) He is mentioned many times throughout Norse mythology but there are few myths actually focused around him. A lot is focused around Baldr's invulnerability. Baldr is the most loved and perfect of the gods and is killed, but later in Norse mythology is reborn when a new better world is created. Page brings up the similarities this has to a popular Christian belief of Jesus Christ's resurrection from death. He points out that this is no coincidence being that it is not only Christians who have this belief. A god who dies and then is resurrected is also a theme in Egypt (Osiris), and Adonis. Whether it is derived from a central story or just the influence of each other's mythology is not concluded (Page 50). .
In comparing the two myths about how Baldr was killed the Snorri version is much more colorful. The Saxo version is meant to be real history not mythology (Page 51). Baldr is killed when fighting for the throne and a woman Nanna. In this story Baldr is not so perfect playing the role of the aggressor trying to steal Hotherus" throne and woman. This adaptation presents Baldr as a half-god, or semideus, because his parents were false divinities only holding the title in vanity.
Page gives excellent insight into the character of Baldr. From the perfect beautiful Baldr in Snorri's myth, to the antagonizing power hungry warrior in Saxo's version he is an important symbol for the Norse religion and represents great beauty and goodness.
Section II. Definition of three Terms.
" The Unknown Place " As the clouds slowly glide across the beautiful blue sky, the warm rays of the sun are allowed to gloriously shine through the tops of the trees, creating a breathtaking sight. ... A rather large bald spot in the lawn catches the corner of my eye and reminds me of countless number basketball games played in that exact spot over the course of many, many years. ...
" The Unknown Place " As the clouds slowly glide across the beautiful blue sky, the warm rays of the sun are allowed to gloriously shine through the tops of the trees, creating a breathtaking sight. ... A rather large bald spot in the lawn catches the corner of my eye and reminds me of countless number basketball games played in that exact spot over the course of many, many years. ...
Chaucer enjoys a humorous field day criticizing The Monk's "garnished", 197, attire and shiny bald head("his sleeves were garnished at the hand With fine gray fur, the finest in the land, 197, His head was bald and shone like looking-glass; so did his face, as if it had been greased.... Chaucer also mocks the Guildsmen wives by mentioning their "glorious thoughts" of being called Madam, being treated like queens, and going to church solely to be seen ("To be called "Madam" is a glorious thought...Having your mantle carried like a queen....
In Work he shows this particular value when he writes, "If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer; but if he spends his whole day as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making earth bald before her time, he is esteemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. ... In Thoreau's Work, he says "It would be glorious to see mankind at leisure for once. ...
Abstract Ernest Hemingway's prose has left a lasting impression on the way American literature is written and taught. His name is legendary. Hemingway's style was influenced by his years as a newspaper reporter, both before and after World War I. Based on his experiences, this paper examines the roots and influences of Hemingway's unique writing style. I will draw information from the large body of Hemingway literary criticism, his fiction, and the authors own comments on the craft of writing. ...
