Bowulf Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Bowulf - Essay Example To begin with, Hrothgar and Beowulf demonstrate the same level of devotion to the old heroic code of the Germanic tribes. This code placed a lot of value on things like strength and loyalty in warriors, hospitality and political skill in leaders, the presentable nature of women and the good reputation of the people everyone associates with. In describing how he worked to save Beowulf’s father’s good name, Hrothgar tells Beowulf â€Å"Great was the feud that your father set off when his hand struck down Heatholaf in death among the Wylfings. †¦ I then settled the feud with fitting payment, sent to the Wylfings over the water’s back old things of beauty; against which I’d the oath of your father† (459-61; 470-72). In this, Hrothgar is recounting how the two families are connected in honor, allowing him to accept the help of Beowulf without losing any of his current power even though he is no longer physically strong enough himself to rid his king dom of the ogre Grendel. In addition, Hrothgar is aware of the dangers of power that Beowulf is likely to encounter during his lifetime and seeks to warn him of them, indicating a distinct difference between the moral conscience between the civilized culture and that of the barbarian culture that doesn’t recognize such issues. This reflective attitude is mostly seen in his speech to Beowulf just before the Geats depart from Heorot. Here, he warns Beowulf against the sins of pride and greed as they will creep into his heart whether he will or no as he gains power and position among the tribes. â€Å"Beloved Beowulf, best of warriors, resist this deadly taint, take what is better, your lasting profit. Put away arrogance, noble fighter! The noon of your strength shall last for a while now, but in a little time, sickness or a sword shall swipe it from you† (1758-63). This mostly Christian view in a Pagan culture gives medieval man a clue as to

Choose from the list below Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Choose from the list below - Essay Example Consequently, the dominance and prevalence of such cultural orthodoxy can lead towards an objection of censorship occurrence, even in instances when acts of censorship are justifiable for a common good. The assumption regarding the intrinsic and ‘untouchable’ value within the freedom of speech connotes a level of danger which promotes harm to a person and the society in general (Post, 65). The subsequent sections within this essay will present a well defined justification of censorship through elaborating on common good cases. Furthermore, the reasons presented will seek to offer compelling explanations that censorship is perfectly in tandem with the human precinct of freedom of expression. To this end, historical evidence will be adduced as support towards acts of censorship. Consequently, the reasons will allude into showing that, had extension of censorship been granted, then heinous wrongdoings and injustices would have been avoided. Reflections on Justifiable act of Censorship. The extensive control interventions employed by the British state during World War 2 offers a perfect example of a just act of censorship. Evidently, the Emergency Powers Act in 1939 was established so as to justify detentions of persons in the event that such detention would promote security defences of the British state. The statement within the act extended beyond Nazi sympathisers and consequently appeared culpable to abuse by the state. However, the motivation behind the act was to prevent sympathizers or activism of Nazism from demonstrating such acts and threatening the British sovereignty(Post, 32). The opponents of such acts of censorship may argue that a functioning democracy requires all dissenting voices to be heard. Moreover, the validity of such statements may be justified during war time that is aggressive, or in instances where defeat does not led to denial of sovereignty or freedom(Post, 33). However, these circumstances were not reflective of World War 2. Evidently, the British were engaged in a defensive war whereby an expansive territory of Europe was under the Nazis (Post, 43). Consequently, the function of democracies had been halted. Wartime censorship places its strength in its capacity of information blackout to the enemy, element of surprise in war tactics, as well as maintenance of morale in the home front. Consequently, the censorship act assisted the British country in avoiding the advances and infiltration of Nazi imperialism and essentially contributed towards the preservation of British democracy. In addition, the censorship was justifiable since it protected the vulnerable British citizens from persecution by the Nazi government. Another example of justifiable censorship is in relation to the censorship in revolutionary Cuba. Evidently, in trying to justify the censorship existing in Cuba, many critics will vehemently rush to use the intrinsic democratic right of freedom of speech in levelling scathing attacks agai nst the Cuban system. However, in defending the Cuban system of censorship it is equally valid to assess it legitimacy in protection the ideological doctrines of the Cuban society. To this end, an analysis of the practical achievements of such censorship is necessary. Through the drawing of parallels between the British situation during World War 2, it is evident that the Cuban censorship have been precipitated by threats from an external enemy. Following the Cuban revolution in 1961,