Monday, September 10, 2012

300 word thing

The story of Finn was told in Beowulf as one of warning and a foreshadow of what was to come and that often history repeats itself. After Beowulf killed Grendel, this tale was told to show that Beowulf was like other Danish heroes. The hero in the Story of Finn doesn’t appear until the end. In the beginning, the Danish are brought together with the Frisians due to an arranged marriage between King Finn’s and the Danish King’s sister. During the night, King Finn’s men attack the Danes without warning and for no clear reasons. Without the element of surprise, the outcome might have changed. This was viewed as a cowardly jester, and King Finn was blamed for the ambush. Queen Hileburh lost her brother, King Hnaef, and the surviving Danes are forced to bow down to King Finn, although he treated his in-laws well and gave the gifts just as he would his own. The Queen was sick about the death of her brother as is Hengest, King Hnaef’s loyal second, and he wanted revenge. Over the winter, Hengest used King Finn’s hospitality to turn the other soldiers against him eventually a Danish warrior gives Hengest a sword. He is able to show that his loyalty to Kind Hnaef has never faltered. During the ensuing battle, he managed to avenge his King’s death by killing Finn, looting their meed hall, and taking the Queen home to where she belonged.  He becomes the true hero in this tale by getting revenge and being loyal to his king even after his death. Loyalty was a trait that was prized by the people. Following the story, Queen Wealthow asks Beowulf to take care of her two sons if anything should happen to Hrothgar. Unfortunately the sons are killed, and the throne is usurped by Hrothulf.