Class Notes 10/15

Mr. Lazarow started off class today by reminding people about the opportunity for the Larry Smith writing event, and then we moved on to Beowulf. We discussed the story of "The Fight at Finnsburg", which represents a full deviation from the story, but represents a Danish victory, similar to their victory over Grendel
The Fight at Finnsburg
-Hildeburh is the princess of the Danes
-Daughters are only good for being married off, specifically to other countries to form alliances
-Hildeburh is married to Finn the Frisian king
-Their son is the Lord of the Danes/Jutes
-The Danes are welcomed in the Frisian Mead hall
-The son travels with the Danes to the Frisians, and when tempers flare, fighting erupts and the son of Finn and Hildeburh (also the Danish lord) is killed
-The Danes now exact blood-vengance on the Frisians for killing their lord
-During winter, a truce is made and the Danes stay with the Frisians as brothers
-When spring nears, the Danes break the truce and slaughter the Frisians
-This deviation has nothing to do with Beowulf, but with the Danes, and how the story relates back to a time when the Danes were victorious and were not fighting, as they are now that Grendel is dead
-Chris Balch