Solutions to Exam 2 - Dr Chance English 309 EXAM 2 1 This...

Dr. Chance
English 309
12/8/2006
EXAM # 2
1. This quote comes from “The Wasting Sickness of Cu Chulaind,” which was part
of the Early Irish Myths and Sagas . Originally written in the 8 th Century A.D.,
they were translated into English by Jeffrey Gantz. This line tells of Emer’s
jealousy over Cu Chulaind’s love for Fand. Emer is the wife of Cu Chulaind. Cu
Chulaind is an Irish hero of the foster-father Fergus. He was blind in one eye, and
could retract this eye back into his head when he was angry. Women who loved
him blinded themselves in his image. Fand, the daughter of Aed Abrat, was one
such woman that loved Cu. Since her divorce from her husband Manadan, she
had devoted her love to Cu. But, in the end, Cu refused to go to her because he
would not answer the call of a woman. He remained with the jealous Emer,
whose lament here predicted that he would pursue new and unknown things.
3. This quote comes from Beowulf , which was written between the 7
th
and 10
th
centuries. Although the main characyer of Beowulf was a Scandinavian king, it
was written in England and later translated by Seamus Heaney. This passage
comes near the beginning of the story, and serves to set up much of the remainder
of the plot. Although not the primary focus of this passage, a creation myth is
mentioned, along with a masculine God/Creator. The demon being described is
named Grendel, and he is known as an enemy of God. Upon hearing the songs of
praise, Grendel attacks Heorot Hall, which was built by King Hrothgar as a
gathering place for his kinsmen. Soon, a strange man from far away appears to
fight Grendel. This man, Beowulf, engages in a great fight in Heorot Hall. This
fight produces ironic images of feasting within the hall. Once Beowulf slays
Grendel, the demon’s mother seeks revenge and they engage in another epic
battle. So, the fight between Grendel and Beowulf sets the stage for much of the
developing plot of Beowulf .
4. This quote comes from the latter areas of Part II of Popol Vuh – Sacred Book of
the Ancient Quiche Maya . Although this book had anonymous origins, it was
first found by Spanish conquistadors in the 16
th
century. It was translated into
English by Delia Goetz and Sylvanus Morley. It describes the conclusion of the
reign of the Xibalba lords. In Mayan mythology, Xibalba was a place of fright,
and its lords were the deities of death. The boys of which the quote speaks are
Hunahpu and Xbalanque, also referred to as the hero twins. They boys had been
killed at the hands of the Xibalba lords earlier, but two diviners named Xulu and
Pacam placed their bones into a river. Then, the miracle mentioned in this
passage occurred, and the two boys regained their form and received a new
power. They could now control death. The boys then appeared before the

Xibalba lords to perform their magic as entertainers. First, they killed a dog
without doing it any harm. Then they preformed the same feat to a house, a
servant, and even themselves. Finally, the Xibalba lords wanted this feat to be
preformed on them.