Beowulf--The Mighty Will Fall!

In Beowulf he is characterized as being basically "perfect" and the "best of the best." This may be true, however noone needs to place themselves on a pedestal because everyone is made to be equal. All people are good at something so there's no need for one person to feel they are better than the rest. Being acknowledged for your outstanding actions and efforts is one thing, yet don't let it go to your head. This only leads to bad sportsmanship and leaves you with a negative attitude. In so many stories and movies that I know there is a "heroic" figure that everyone else looks up to, yet I don't see them boasting about in the way Beowulf does. Characters such as Harry Potter, Jack Sparrow, Batman, and Forrest Gump. They all are exceptionally good at what they do yet when asked about it they simply feel it was luck. It's as though they don't want to accept the fact that they are "different" and better at something. They just want to be seen as a normal individual and want to be accepted for who they are not what they have done!

Paradise Lost-Temptation....resist the fruit!

Temptation is the key factor in the story of Adam and Eve. Had the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge not been eaten, there wouldn't be the story of Adam and Eve as we know it. God knew from the very beginning that man would struggle with daily temptations yet with his help he knew anything could be overcome. Forgiveness is everything and luckily he offers that. Adam and Eve felt awful about their bad decision yet they had to be punished and were kicked out of the garden. They had to live with the consequences, just as people have to do today. Making the wrong decison leads people in a bad direction and brings about negative consequences, if not tommorow then sometime in the future. Every human being will give an account of their lives and will have to accept what they have done. Why not live a life for God that is pleasing and postive, instead of wasting away your time which will eventually run out! Don't turn away from the good and decide to eat the fruit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taming of the Shrew--It's all about personality!

The Taming of the Shrew is quite a story! Each character has their own defining personality and characteristics. This variety allows not only for humor but also identification amongst the individuals. It's been a hard read in my opinion because some of the characters are pretending to be someone else. Some have also made up new names, which gives them a disguise, but leaves the reader confused at who is pretending to be who and which name goes with who. There is a sense of loyalty between master and servant, especially between Lucentio and Tranio. Tranio wants Lucentio to suceed and in order for this to happen Tranio pretends to be Lucentio so that Lucentio is able to get up close and personal with Bianca. Personality is a big piece of the story because it shows who the characters truly are and what they are about. Whereas some of the characters are all about sweeping Bianca off her feet and getting a ring on her finger, Petruchio is only after one thing and one thing only and that is money! No matter how hard the other men try to tell him negative key things about Katherine he simply makes an excuse for all of her flaws and says he will take her as his own no matter what she says or does. I'm not sure if he is ignorant or just plain stupid. In the end it turns out that he is just as bad as she is, if not worse. You can tell from the dialogue that he is stubborn, selfish, and greedy. They get married one minute and he's ready to get up and leave the next. When it comes to the daughters there are also personality differences. Bianca is betrayed as being a sweet, innocent angel and Katherine is loud, outspoken and negativity could probably be considered her middle name. I feel the differences in personality are a great key factor in the story because it helps the reader establish a connection with each individual character and it helps keep track of whose who. Another interesting thing about the story and the characteristics of the characters is how the names end in the letter 'O. Overall I feel the story has been a great read thus far.