Arthurian Legend.

The Arthurian Legend has endured the test of time for many reasons; these reasons include the chivalry, heroic tales, the romance, the battles, and of course the entertainment of all of these combined. Although the legend has been around for decades, even centuries, it still is studied, read about, and going strong throughout the years because of the ideal Medieval romance. The Arthurian Legend fits perfectly into all of the characteristics of a Medieval romance because of the chivalry involved, set in a remote place and time, it also shows a distinguished difference in ranks, and many fights, along with romance being the main focus point.

Hollywood has also taken notice of the Arthurian Legend and it's popularity among readers because Hollywood has made many movies based on the legend such as, Excalibur, The Sword and the Stone, Sir Lancelot, Camelott, First Knight, and yes even Monty Python and the Holy Grail which each present the idea of Medieval times, the romance, and the heroic tales that are involved in the Arthurian Legend.

The romance of the Arthurian Legend plays the biggest part in my eyes because it is the main focus in every Medieval novel, poem, film, and etc. There is always a strong love connection between at least two people, but there can be more. Sometimes even a love triangle occurs similar to the affair in the film First Knight between Sir Lancelot and Lady Gwinevere, who was engaged to King Arthur himself.

Chivalry would be the second biggest part of the Arthurian Legend if I had to choose because it also plays a major role in every Medieval novel, poem, and film. There is always a heroic man, an sometimes there is more than one, but he is viewed as a hero; brave, courageous and strong. An exampl of chivalry in The Lady of Shalott would be when Sir Lancelot comes into the scene, the attitude, and the adjectives describing everything suddenly change.
"The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,
And flamed upon the brazen greaves
Of bold Sir Lancelot" (pt 3, Tennyson).

Although the Arthurian Legend is viewed as impossible today because of the suffering done to those accused of crimes and to those who were trying to become knights and those who could not afford much of anything, and many of it is very make believe and out of this world, it still had and has the power to capture many readers and viewers and hold their attention throughout. Many people are still very intrigued by the Arthurian Legend and keep the legend alive today. Therefore, no matter how much time goes by, it is proof that the Arthurian Legend can never be defeated, forgotten, or ever actually over with.

Medieval Romance.

My reaction to the medieval tales and romances is, I prefer not to read this genre because it does not interest me at all. I don't believe any of it is actually love or romance, or genuine. Majority of the love just happens in the blink of an eye and I do not believe that to be possible. Love takes time, and in these stories, the love happens far too soon and too easily. Love at first sight does not exist, of course, infatuation or attraction at first sight is very real and common, but love? No way. You cannot look at someone and instantly love them, you don't know anything about them, their present, past, or future, therefore you cannot know if they have what you are truly looking for. You can look at someone and think they are attractive but feelings beyond that? No. Similar to Romeo and Juliet, that was not love. That was the worst "love" story I have ever read, it is all fake and all rushed. Love isn't rushed, or shouldn't be at least. But in the first piece we read, Merlin, the king had to have Lady Igraine and felt he needed her, and loved her, and had to be with her, but he did not know anything about her, he just had to get what he wants because he is king. I do not believe in this nor does it interest me at all because of my disbelief and disagreeance.

Beowulf's Fame. Selfish?

In my opinion, I do not think that Beowulf is selfish at all in his desire for fame. He believes that fame is a goal after death, meaning that when you pass away, you want people to remember your name around the world, to be known, and popular, but only for good things, such as being a hero, similar to how Beowulf is. I believe that Beowulf is not so concerned with being famous in general but more so, following in his father's footsteps, keeping the legacy going, and making his father proud. Since his father has passed away, he wants to still keep him alive in his legend and make sure no one forgets how great his father was by also showing that he is too in fact a great person as well. Beowulf even recites about how great his father was in this poem to all that is going to help him fight Grendel and even those who are not going to help out, but still need to know about what is going to soon happen. In my opinion, I think Beowulf is not selfish because i completely understand why he has such a need for that fame, and I do not blame him for wanting it. I would also want to make my family proud as well, it would definitely make me feel good about myself.

The Fifth Child Cover

Out of all four choices for The Fifth Child cover, I believe that cover number four is the best suiting for The Fifth Child. My reasoning is rather simple, but it is that Ben is born with defects from day one, he is a poor little baby, and then child, helpless, with no idea as to what "normal" children are, what a "normal" life is, or that something is seriously wrong with him. Harriet and David become so wrapped up in the horrors of Ben that they are unable to care and love for this poor child. The other four children neglected but yet in ways, so is Ben, because there was help out there, there was medical knowledge and aslyums, institutes, whatever they needed to get their child help, it was available, but they failed to do so. What parent would not want the best for their child? Harriet and David are the opposite of the perfect family, they are extremely selfish and should have never had children to begin with. They rushed too fast into everything and well Karma gets everyone. Just like it did for them. If it was not for David's father and Harriet's mother, they would have never lasted. They needed David's fathers' money to help buy the house, and they needed Harriet's mother to help take care of the children. This family is pathetic and sad. Ben is what they deserved, it was also a chance for them to prove themselves, a second chance, for them to show everyone they are good, loving parents, but they did not take this opportunity. Ben deserved way better than this family. If I were to feel sorry for anyone, it would infact be Ben. Nonetheless, the cover, with the boy looking out the window, fits the best because Ben is trapped in this family, in this horrid life, he did not choose, with no help. He is on the inside, looking out, which is hard enough for adults, imagine being a young child, even a baby, being stuck on the inside.

Frankstein Articlee.

My reaction to the article about the novel, Frankenstein, is that Christopher Schildt had a vaild point. Schildt's thoughts as to what Mary Shelley based the novel on made much more sense then the common opinion of most people.
"Mary Shelley was writing about the suffering and loss and pain, the feeling of being ostracized, that I think she knew very well (Schildt)."
Schildt had stated this in the beginning of the article and while thinking back to the novel and Mary Shelley's past, it made much more sense for her to being writing about such pain and great loss rather than the evils of science. It makes much more sense because Mary Shelley went through severe loss and heartache herself, such as, her mother passing away just ten days after Mary was born, therefore, she never got the chance to know her own mother; having to go through school and life itself without her, and being forced to see happy families and girls with their mothers. This had to of brought great pain to Mary Shelley, as it would to anyone. Mary Shelley's father was also not someone who was easily pleased, being a repressive patriach with rigid belief in his own rightness, therefore, Mary dealt with the stress of her father, and the feeling of never being good enough in his eyes.
Finally feeling like she had a break from the pain and suffering, Mary married a man named Percy, but, unfortunately for Mary, only one of the three children they had together, survived to adulthood.
Mary Shelley spent her whole life suffering, even when she started to feel as if she was breaking free from her suffering, it was soon taken away and suffering came knocking on her door once again. Therefore, Mary Shelley must have had similar feelings that the creature felt and was able to relate to the creature in many ways and occasions. Mary Shelley could have been expressing how she felt her entire life through the creature, such as, needing someone to be there, just so they did not feel so alone and hurt. Just like how the creature asked for a companion:
"I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrbile as myself would not deny herself to me (Shelley 133)."
Here, the creature is almost begging Victor, his creator, for someone who he can love and be loved back in return. He feels ostracized, much like how Mary Shelley felt throughout her lifetime, and just wanted someone who they know will always be there. Someone who accepts them for who they are and still loves every part of them.
In conclusion, Christopher Schildt had a valid point:
"It's just easier for us to say that the movie moves us because it's about the faults of science, rather than saying it appeals to me because sometimes I feel hunted and lonely and ostracized, too (Schildt)."
In the end, when you look around, you cannot see the pain that every person has gone through or is going through, but no matter what, no matter how different we may be from each other, or how similar we might be, one thing that is certain is that we all suffer, we all feel alone at some point in our life. We all know how it feels to be in a crowded room, but yet feel like you are all alone. The feeling of pain.