What You Need to Know About the Epic Poem Beowulf

What You Need to Know About the Epic Poem 'Beowulf' Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the English language and the earliest piece of vernacular European literature. Perhaps the most common question readers have is what language Beowulf was written in originally. The first manuscript was written in the language of the Saxons, Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon. Since then, the epic poem has been estimated to have been translated into 65 languages. However, many translators have struggled to maintain the flow and alliteration present within the complex text. Origins of Beowulf Little is known about this famous epic poems origins, unfortunately. Many believe that Beowulf may have been composed as an elegy for a king who died in the seventh century, but little evidence indicates who that king may have been. The burial rites described in the epic show a great similarity to the evidence found at Sutton Hoo, but too much remains unknown to form a direct correlation between the poem and the burial site. The poem may have been composed as early as around 700 C.E.  and evolved through many retellings before it was finally written down. Regardless, whoever  the original author may have been is lost to history. Beowulf  contains many  pagan  and folkloric elements, but there are undeniable Christian themes as well. This dichotomy has led some to interpret the epic as the work of more than one author. Others have seen it as symbolic of the transition from paganism to Christianity in  early medieval Britain. The extreme delicacy of the manuscript, the perceived two separate hands that inscribed the text, and the complete lack of clues to the identity of the author make a realistic determination difficult at best. Originally untitled, in the 19th century the poem was eventually  referred to by the name of its Scandinavian hero, whose adventures are its primary focus. While some historical elements run through the poem, the hero and the story are both fictional. History of theManuscript The sole manuscript of Beowulf  dates to around the year 1000. Handwriting style reveals that it was inscribed by two different people. Whether either scribe embellished or altered the original story is unknown. The earliest known owner of the manuscript was 16th-century scholar Lawrence Nowell. In the 17th century, it became part of Robert Bruce Cottons collection and is therefore known as Cotton Vitellius A.XV.  The manuscript is now in the British Library, although in 1731 the manuscript suffered irreparable damage in a fire. The first transcription of the poem was made by Icelandic scholar Grà ­mur Jà ³nsson Thorkelin in 1818. Since the manuscript has decayed further, Thorkelins version is highly prized, yet its accuracy has been questioned. In 1845, the pages of the manuscript were mounted in paper frames to save them from further damage. This protected the pages, but it also covered some of the letters around the edges. In 1993, the British Library initiated the Electronic Beowulf Project. Through the use of special infrared and ultraviolet lighting techniques, the covered letters were revealed as electronic images of the manuscript were made. TheStory Beowulf is a fictional prince of the Geats of southern Sweden who comes to Denmark to help King Hrothgar rid his fabulous hall, Heorot, of a terrible monster known as Grendel. The hero mortally wounds the creature, who flees the hall to die in its lair. The next night, Grendels mother comes to Heorot to avenge her offspring and kills one of Hrothgars men. Beowulf tracks her down and kills her, then returns to Heorot, where he receives great honors and gifts before returning home. After ruling the Geats for half a century in peace, Beowulf must face a dragon who threatens his land. Unlike his earlier battles, this confrontation is terrible and deadly. He is deserted by all his retainers except his kinsman Wiglaf, and though he defeats the dragon he is mortally wounded. His funeral and a lament end the poem. The Impact of Beowulf Much has been written about this epic poem, and it will surely continue to inspire scholarly investigation and debate, both literary and historical. For decades students have undertaken the difficult task of learning Old English in order to read it in its original language. The poem has also inspired fresh creative works, from Tolkiens Lord of the Rings to Michael Crichtons Eaters of the Dead, and it will probably continue to do so for centuries to come. Translations of Beowulf Originally written in Old English, the first translation of the poem was into Latin by Thorkelin, in connection with his transcription of 1818. Two years later Nicolai Grundtvig made the first translation into a modern language, Danish. The first translation into modern English was made by J. M. Kemble in 1837. In total, it is estimated that the epic poem has been translated into 65 languages.   Since then there have been many modern English translations. The version done by Francis B. Gummere in 1919 is out of copyright and freely available at several websites. Many more recent translations, in both prose and verse form, are available today.

Pell Grant Limits How Much Can You Get in Your Lifetime

Pell Grant Limits How Much Can You Get in Your Lifetime SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Federal Pell Grants are great resources for students who could use more help paying for school. Like all good things, though, there are some restrictions and rules around how you can use a Pell Grant. In this post, I'll explain: Exactly how much you can get from your Pell Grant Eligibility restrictions Limits on how you can use Pell Grant money Financial Limits: What's the Most You Can Get? As you may have expected, there is a maximum annual Pell Grant award amount ("What is the Pell Grant Amount? What is the Maximum Award?"). For the 2015-2016 academic year, the most you could receive if you're a full-time student is $5775.What you might not have expected is that there is also a minimum Pell Grant award amount: again for the 2015-2016 academic year, the least you could receive if you're awarded the grant is $600. In addition to annual maximum and minimum award amount,there's also a lifetime award maximum. Every year that you apply for the Pell Grant via the FAFSA(see "How to Submit a Pell Grant Application,"coming soon), you'll be eligible for a particular amount of money. Your lifetime maximum is equal to600% of your yearly eligibility, or about 6 years' worth of grant funding. Let's go over some examples to further explain what I mean: Student A Applies for the Pell Grant for her freshman year, and is eligible to receive$5,000 in funding. She only attends school in the fall semester, though, so she only has to pay for half a year of school. As a result, she only gets $2,500, or 50%, of the annual grant money that she was eligible for. Student A can apply for the Pell Grant the next year, and she still has 550% of her lifetime max (600%) available to her. Student B Wasn't eligible for the Pell Grant his freshman, sophomore, or junior year. His family's financial situation changes his senior year when he applies for the grant, and he is glad to find out he's eligible for $1,000 in funding. All of that money goes towards paying his tuition. Student B used 100% of the annual grant money that he was eligible for, so he has 500% of his lifetime max (600%) available to him. Student B graduates at the end of his senior year; even though he didn't meet his lifetime max, he's not eligible for the Pell Grant anymore because he received his bachelor's degree. You might have noticed that this lifetime limit seems a little high. If you go to school for your bachelor's degree, it should only take you 4 years, or 400% of your lifetimemax; unless there are special circumstances that prevent you from graduating within 4 years, you likelywon't have to worry about this lifetimelimit. The more you know about financial aid, the more you can talk yourself out of feeling like this. Eligibility Restrictions Along with the financial limits above, there are also eligibility restrictions that can disqualify you from getting a Pell Grant. I've broken this section up into two main parts: family financial eligibility, and student eligibility. What about family income limits for Pell Grant eligibility? So there are family financial limits for eligibility, but they're a bit more complicated than an arbitrary income cutoff. Eligibility limits for the Pell Grant are based on your family's Expected Family Contribution (EFC).Your EFC is generated when you submit your FAFSA ("How to Submit a Pell Grant Application," coming soon). If you want to estimate your EFC before you go through all the trouble of submitting your FAFSA, you can get more information here ("What is the Pell Grant Amount? What is the Maximum Award?" coming soon). If your EFC is at or below $5081 for the 2015-2016 academic year, you will bewithin the family income limits for the Pell Grant. If you meet all the other eligibility requirements, you will receive some grant money (so, between $600-$5775). By using your EFC, you can estimate about how much Pell Grant money you may be eligible for ("Pell Grant Calculator" coming soon). Are there restrictions on what type of student can get the Pell Grant? The short answer is: yes. You can read more about eligibility criteria for the Pell Grant here ("Pell Grant Eligibility and Requirements: Do you qualify?" coming soon). In a nutshell, the Pell Grant is meant primarily for low-income students who have a high school diploma or GED, but don't have a post-secondary degree (so, a bachelor's or vocational degree). If you don't demonstrate enough financial need, or if you already have a post-secondary degree, you likely won't qualify. There is no age limit to receive the Pell Grant. It's open to people who need help funding their education at any age. Limits to using your Pell Grant money There are two logistical parameters you should be aware of if you would like to apply for a Pell Grant: there are restrictions on where and how you can spend your Pell Grant money. Where You Spend Your Pell Grant When you apply to colleges or to vocational programs, make sure they participate in the Pell Grant program. The good news is that most legitimate colleges participate; if you want to confirm, simply call the financial aid office. How to Spend Your Pell Grant In many cases,the grant money won't even be paid directly to you; it will go straight to your school. Your school will then apply the grant money to charges on your account (e.g.tuition, room, and board charges). There may be differences in how schools process federal financial aid, though, so you can contact your financial aid office if you have further questions. In some circumstances, there may be leftover grant money after your schoolpays itself. If there is leftover money, it will be passed on to you in the form of a refund. There are restrictions on how you can use this refund money.It's meant to cover school-related expenses, including: Books Lab supplies Transportation expenses (including gas or a bus pass, but NOT includinga car) Even food! These usage restrictions are pretty serious because the Pell Grant is a federally funded program. Even though it may be tempting to use refund money for, shall we say, more fun activities, be careful about using it for legitimate expenses. Perfectly sharpened colored pencils definitely count as legitimate school supplies. One Final Note About Pell Grant Limits ... If you're awarded the Pell Grant, it's super important that you stay on top of maintaining your academic performance in college. If your academic performance is deemed "unsatisfactory" (e.g. if you are failing out of your classes), you may lose eligibility for any type of federal aid, including the Pell Grant. If you're concerned that your grades are slipping and you may lose eligibility, the best thing to do is to set up a meeting with a school administrator, like your dean. What's next? The Pell Grant isn't the only source of financial aid for aspiring college grads. If you get awesome SAT scores, you could also get awesome scholarship money. Too late to bring up your SAT scores? No problem! By doing well in school, you could help yourself pay your way through. It's a win-win! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: