The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock

This poem is about a lonely man who longs for female companionship. The only problem is that he has no idea how to approach women. He is slightly terrified of them and what they, and everyone else, might think about him.

There is a party and Prufrock is debating whether or not to go. He knows everyone that is there but he wonders what they will think of him. He doesn't want them to notice his thinning hair or his skinny arms and legs. J. Alfred Prufrock is very insecure. He finally decides that he will go, but then starts questioning his decision. Is it worth it at his age to go to some little party to meet women?

Prufrock compares himself not to Hamlet, but to Polonius, a secondary character that is Hamlet's complete opposite. (lines 111-119) He basically says that he is more or less a fool and wishes he could be as charismatic, as Hamlet.

The tone of the poem takes a turn for the depressing in the end. In the beginning, Prufrock is fairly sure that he will end up going to the party. Towards the final lines of the poem, Prufrock is questioning everything. (lines 99-106) In  the end, it is a little confusing on what he is actually feeling. J. Alfred Prufrock is very indecisive. Has he decided that he isn't worthy to go to the party?

Sorry Fielding!!

My internet has been kind of crappy since we left Indiana on 18th. I should have had the journals done by then anyway though. But here they all are, and I apologize if some of them don't make sense.

Beowulf Journals 51-55

51.

Lines 2569-2575 ~ Swaddled in flames, it came gliding and flexing and racing toward its fate…fought and fate denied him glory in battle.

The dragon has been fated to die, but so has Beowulf. This battle was the first time Beowulf would ever ‘lose’. The dragon may get defeated but for the price of Beowulf’s life.

52.

Lines 2583-2586 ~ Beowulf was foiled of a glorious victory. The glittering sword, infallible before that day, failed when he unsheathed it, as it never should have.

The reoccurring motif that weapons don’t work for Beowulf. For whatever reason, when fighting monsters, weapons only hinder Beowulf’s performance.

53.

Lines 2802-2808 ~ Order my troop to construct a barrow…as they steer ships across the wide and shrouded waters.

Beowulf’s final instructions. He orders his troop to build him a barrow by the sea so he will always be remembered. He may have told him to put it on the coast not only to travelers will see it and remember him, but to try and ward off any kings looking to take of Geatland. Seeing the barrow would remind them that Beowulf was a fierce warrior and may have trained others to be as great as he.

54.

Lines 2883-2891 ~ So it is goodbye now to all you know and love on your home ground…A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame.

Wiglaf predicts that once other princes and kings hear of Beowulf’s death, they will attack Geatland (much like they did to Hrothgar and the Danes). He knows that everything that they associate with home, will be taken from them. Wiglaf also knows that a true warrior would rather die fighting than be a coward. He also points out the fact that the kings and prince obviously have nothing to fear because Beowulf’s best fighters cowered when he really needed them. I think that Wiglaf hopes that but giving the men this speech that they will shape up and defend their county when needed.

55.

Lines 3180-3182 ~ They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.

Beowulf was a good king and a great warrior. His people respected him because he showed them respect. He was generous when handing out treasure and gold to his warriors.

Beowulf was never interested in gold or being king. All he wanted was fame. His pride led him to his ultimate demise. He decided to go fight the dragon instead of letting his warriors do it.

Beowulf Journals 46-50

46.

Lines 2401-2407 ~ The Lord of the Geats took eleven comrades… and was now added as a thirteenth to their number.

One leader, Beowulf, and twelve followers alludes Jesus and his twelve disciples.

47.

Motif of Kin killing

Kin killing is all over this book. Why can’t everyone just hug it out and move on? Unferth is a kin killer, but it seems as though he is never punished for it. The only punishment for kin killing is exile. The story of Herebeald and Haethcyn is an interesting one. Herebeald is ‘accidentally’ killed by his brother, Haethcyn, on a hunting trip. There is a sort of conspiracy theory here. King Hrethel couldn’t punish his son for killing his brother, but he could also never forgive him. Another man gets away with murder and isn’t punished.

48.

Lines 2510-2515 ~ Beowulf spoke, made a formal boast for the last time…if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open.

Beowulf’s final boast. He understands that he is old and probably won’t live through this battle. He is putting everything on the line and leaving everything up to fate. He will go into the battle with the will to win, he won’t stop fighting until the dragon is dead.

49.

Lines 2518-2527 ~ “I would rather not use a weapon if I knew another way…between the two of us will turn out as fate, overseer of men, decides.

If it were up to Beowulf, he would not fight the dragon in the lair, he would fight with bare handed, and he could probably stand to be a few years younger. He realizes though that this isn’t going to be like when he fought Grendel; this monster breathes fire. He is going to need a little chain mail and armor to protect him. He is also leaving this battle up to fate. I think under some level Beowulf knows he isn’t going to come out of the lair alive, but he need to rid the land of the dragon before he can allow himself to die.

50.

Lines 2532-2533 ~ This fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me.

This is Beowulf’s first problem. He is old and should have let his warriors fight the dragon like Hrothgar did with Grendel. Beowulf is to proud to let that happen though. Any monster that terrorizes his land is going to have to go through him.

Beowulf Journals 41-45

41.

Lines 2166-2171 ~ So ought a kinsman act, instead of plotting and planning in secret…each was concerned for the other’s good.

This is a foreshadow to Hrothgar and his nephew. This may also parallel the Uncle to Nephew relationships between Beowulf and Hygelac AND Hrothgar and his nephew. Beowulf and Hygelac have a great relationship, they genially care for each other. Hrothgar thinks that he has a good relationship with his nephew, but once Hrothgar dies his nephew kills his cousins so he can become king. (Hrothgar’s wife knew about this.)

42.

Lines ~ 2148-2151 ~ These, King Hygelac, I am happy to present…who are close, my king, except for your kind self.

Beowulf doesn’t want the riches. He just wants the fame. He also wants to pay respect to not only his king, but to his uncle and close friend. Beowulf, being arrogant, probably doesn’t have to many friends, or doesn’t allow himself to get close to people. Hygelac is really the only family (that we know of) that Beowulf has left. Without Hygelac, Beowulf would probably be nothing.

43.

Lines 2207-2211 ~ …the wide kingdom reverted to Beowulf. He ruled it well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land until one began to dominate the dark…

This is a parallel to Hrothgar’s life in Heorot. Hrothgar also ruled for fifty years until a monster (Grendel) wreaked havoc among his nation. The same is happening to Beowulf.

44.

Lines 2291-2293 ~ So may a man not marked by fate easily escape exile and woe by the grace of God.

Pagan beliefs are conflicting Christian beliefs. Pagans believe that if you are fated to do something, you will fulfill that duty, even when faced with death. Christians believe that everything that happens is God’s doing.

45.

Lines 2324-2327 ~ Then Beowulf was given bad news…the throne room of the Geats.

This marks the beginning of the downfall of the Geats. The burning of the great mead hall symbolizes the strength and glory of the country disintegrating.

Beowulf Journals 36-40

36.

Lines 1769-1776 ~ So just as I ruled the Ring-Danes’ country for fifty years…Grendel struck after lying in wait.

This parallels Beowulf as king and could also be a foreshadow. It foreshadows that Beowulf will be king and after fifty years, a monster is going to cause mayhem on Beowulf’s country.

37.

Lines 1807-1812 ~ Then that stalwart fighter ordered Hrunting to be brought to Unferth…He was a considerate man.

Beowulf returns Unferth’s sword to him. He knows that he is a far better warrior than Unferth but doesn’t boast about it. He politely thanks Unferth and that is that. He doesn’t need to rub anything in Unferth’s face because that wouldn’t be very sportsman like. Beowulf is actually a good person.

38.

Lines 2076-2080 ~ There deadly violence came down on Handscio…he ate up the entire body.

When Beowulf is telling his account of the Grendel Battle to Hygelac, he tells him that the reason he came back one man short is that Handscio fell victim to Grendel. We know that this isn’t true. Beowulf sacrificed this man so he would know how Grendel attacks.

This is another example of why Beowulf is a good warrior. He knew that it was better to lose one man rather than his whole army.

39.

Lines 2085-2088 ~ He had a roomy pouch, a strange accoutrement, intricately strung and hung at the ready, a rare patchwork of devilish fitted dragon-skins.

FORESHADOW!! This is a foreshadow to Beowulf’s battle with the dragon, which he wins.

40.

Lines 2140-2141 ~ I barely managed to escape with my life; my time had not yet come.

Beowulf believes heavily in fate. He says that even though he barely escaped, he was fated to live through and win the battle.

Beowulf Journals 29-35

29.

Line 455 ~ Fate goes ever as fate must

Pagans believe in fate. They believe that everything happens for a reason. Fate is a force of nature that can’t be controlled. This line backs up the theme of transitory nature of life, time is fleeting and moments in life pass quickly. Blind fate picks random victims, this is wyrd. Beowulf was fated to fill Grendel.

30.

Lines 1512-1517 ~ The gallant man could see he had entered some hellish turn-hole…then he saw firelight, a gleam and flare-up, a glimmer of brightness.

The hall in Grendel’s mother’s lair could be as great as Heorots; if it wasn’t ruled by monsters and in a hellish place.

31.

Grendel

Grendel means wail or scream. Grendel’s name may be what it is because he can’t talk, and whenever he tries this horrible screaming noise comes out.

Grendel is from Cain's Clan. Much like Cain, Grendel can't be aided by other men because of the mark placed on him by God, so he lives as an outcast. He just wants to be loved by God. He may go on his murderous rampages because the Danes are happy and Grendel can never be happy.

32.

Lines 293-300 ~ What more, I’ll order my own comrades on their word of honor to watch your boat…May one so valiant and venturesome come unharmed through the clash of battle.

The Coast Guard’s first impression of Beowulf is so great that he has one of his men watch over the Geat’s ships. This man puts all his faith in the fact that Beowulf will kill the monster. He only hopes that Beowulf returns to the ship alive.

33.

Lines 1368-1372 ~ On its bank, the heather-stepper halts…That is no good place.

This is a little side story that describes how terrible Grendel’s mother’s lair is. A deer that is being chased by a pack of wolves woulf rather turn and fights the dogs rather then enter the lair. Now if you pick certain death by being mauled rather than going into a cave; that cave must be extremely bad. 

34.

Grendel’s mom’s lair vs. Heorot vs. dragon lair

Heorot:

Heorot is the greatest hall ever built. The gables were wide and high, and this mead hall was meant to be a wonder of the world forever. And it was, until the Danes were defeated and the hall burnt down.

Grendel’s Mother’s Lair:

The entrance is at the top of a cliff. The bank overhangs the water and you can see other monsters swimming, waiting for someone to fall. The lair gives off a bad vibe.

Once you swim to the bottom of the lake, you reach the inside of the lair. It’s basically a dark cave with treasure littering the ground.

Dragon’s Lair:

The dragon’s lair is sort of a combination between Heorot and Grendel’s mother’s den. It is tucked away underground and it is decorated with an amazing treasure that has been hidden for hundreds of years.

35.

Lines 1167-1186 ~ The queen spoke: “Enjoy this drink, my most generous lord; raise your goblet, entertain the Geats duly and gently, discourse with them, be open-handed, happy and fond…all the good things we gave him once, the favour and respect he found in his childhood.

Wealtheow tells Hrothgar to eat, drink and be merry not that Grendel is gone, but she doesn’t want him to necessarily go ‘adopt’ Beowulf. She knows that if he adopts Beowulf, that Hrothgar will name him king rather than one of her sons.

She wants Hrothgar to pick someone out of their family to be the next king. Wealtheow would prefer it to be her son, but is Hrothgar picks his nephew, she is sure that he will treat her sons with respect. (Even though she really knows that he kills them to become king.)