Man’s guide to life aka the CHIVALRIC CODE
1) Don’t lie! (Most of you are horrible at it anyway). Equivocating and omitting is accepted. Telling your spouse everything can be quite selfish because you are alleviating yourself of the pain brought on by guilt & thrusting that pain onto the shoulders of someone else.
2) Be considerate. Work on being honest but also taking one’s feelings into consideration as well.
3) Get in touch with your feelings. REAL MEN CRY! It is OKAY to cry, just let it out. It will bring you much closer to the person you care about.
4) Get a job. Nobody wants to be with a man who cannot provide for them, let alone take care of themselves. A sense of motivation, independence, and confidence is a turn on.
5) Have a purpose – set a goal. Couch potatoes are the worst! Believe in something and take action.
6) Take pride in family. It is one of the most important aspects of one’s life and is a great indicator as to how a man values the meaning of unconditional love.
7) Don’t say it unless you mean it. Ensure that you can actually carry out all your promises and simply stand by your word.
8) Eliminate sex. Not to say practice abstinence but If you can until marriage, that’s great. However, next time you enter a relationship, try to think with your head and not with your…
9) Be Strong. Not just physically, but mentally as well.
10) Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not to please someone else. Never forget who you are! LOVE yourself.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Essential #4
Create an intertextual analysis of "Beowulf" and William Henley's "Invictus".
In his writing, Henley has established himself as a strong man determined to overcome all adversities. These characteristics are predominately present in the epic poem Beowulf. While many characters in Beowulf face overwhelming obstacles, Beowulf has definitely emerged from “out of the night that covers [him]” (‘Invictus’ Henley). He has proven countless times that he does not give up, no matter how difficult the challenge (i.e – his battle with the sea serpents during a race with Breca). Henley exerts a sense of confidence in his achievements in terms of overcoming all barriers, similar to the confidence seen in Beowulf: “[Beowulf] rejoiced in his night’s work, his glorious achievement … [he] made good his boast to the East-Danes” (816-818). Despite their complete belief in their own capabilities, Henley and Beowulf also realize that they cannot achieve greatness on their own. In the midst of his ‘boasting’, if you will, Henley acknowledges the source of all his strength: “I thank whatever Gods may be/For my unconquerable soul” (‘Invictus’ Henley). His thanks and praise to the man above is identical to Beowulf’s thanks and praise upon his battle with Grendel. He recognized that if it weren’t for the Lord, he would not have defeated Grendel. However, what separates Beowulf and Henley is Beowulf’s shift from a Christ-like figure to a conquerable soul that gave into temptation. In the end, despite Beowulf’s mistakes, he is a definite representation of Henley’s belief: “I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul” (‘Invictus’ Henley). Not only has Beowulf fulfilled his fate as a warrior but he has also taken control of his fate.
In his writing, Henley has established himself as a strong man determined to overcome all adversities. These characteristics are predominately present in the epic poem Beowulf. While many characters in Beowulf face overwhelming obstacles, Beowulf has definitely emerged from “out of the night that covers [him]” (‘Invictus’ Henley). He has proven countless times that he does not give up, no matter how difficult the challenge (i.e – his battle with the sea serpents during a race with Breca). Henley exerts a sense of confidence in his achievements in terms of overcoming all barriers, similar to the confidence seen in Beowulf: “[Beowulf] rejoiced in his night’s work, his glorious achievement … [he] made good his boast to the East-Danes” (816-818). Despite their complete belief in their own capabilities, Henley and Beowulf also realize that they cannot achieve greatness on their own. In the midst of his ‘boasting’, if you will, Henley acknowledges the source of all his strength: “I thank whatever Gods may be/For my unconquerable soul” (‘Invictus’ Henley). His thanks and praise to the man above is identical to Beowulf’s thanks and praise upon his battle with Grendel. He recognized that if it weren’t for the Lord, he would not have defeated Grendel. However, what separates Beowulf and Henley is Beowulf’s shift from a Christ-like figure to a conquerable soul that gave into temptation. In the end, despite Beowulf’s mistakes, he is a definite representation of Henley’s belief: “I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul” (‘Invictus’ Henley). Not only has Beowulf fulfilled his fate as a warrior but he has also taken control of his fate.
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