OR: 

2.  The ancient Stoics and then Christians influenced by the writings of Boethius articulated an idea of “Fate” in the form of a divine “Providence” which ultimately made everything work out—necessarily for the best under the guidance of an eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-benevolent First Mover. That vision encouraged Anglo-Saxon Christians to attempt a reframing of the pre-Christian idea of “wyrd” (from which we get our modern word “weird”) to make it congruent—at least on the surface—with Christian Providence. That congruence, however, is fallacious. Using Beowulf, Judith, the Seafarer, the Wanderer, Widsith and Deor to develop a description of the operations of “wyrd” that best reflects the pre-Christian understanding of that idea and its entailments for the operations of an individual. Attempt to find modern analogues to this idea-set existing outside of the Judeo-Christian tradition today, identifying significant parallels.

AND:

3.  This course has approached works from a singular perspective; it is only one among many that have been used to approach these works. You, as readers, ultimately will decide for yourselves what persistent value is to be found in these works, but that decision should be based upon more than what has been discussed in this course. Thus you are asked to choose one of the  works we have read since the start of the semester and then  identify, read, and evaluate three substantive articles published in academic journals since 1990 on the work you have chosen. Specifically, you are charged to (1) summarize the conclusions and the evidence offered in support of those conclusions in each article; (2) compare and contrast those conclusions to those put forth in this course; and (3) assess the validity and the utility of those conclusions against those put forth in this course as ideas that will shape your future responses to the world around you.The value of this enterprise lies in your efforts to think independently and analytically; my “feelings” will not be “hurt” if you disagree with the conclusions I draw (which are, in any case, only tentative and exploratory). What is important is that you demonstrate an honest effort in thinking about the issues raised in both this course and the articles you read and then in drawing conclusions of use to you, as a person and a student of words, language, and stories.

2.   The Dream of the Rood and the Christian teleology it depicts gives a new destiny to the individual. Describe the pre-Christian view of the individual as represented by the Seafarer and the Wanderer; then present an analysis of what the Christian vision expects of the individual, as articulated in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and The Pearl. Finally,  Both Mankind and Troilus and Criseyde depicts the multitude of problems—within the individual and within larger societal relationships—that compromise an individual’s ability to make the right moral choices. Assuming that each of these poets is writing to call the audience’s attention to problems in living a virtuous life, what problems do you think each is addressing? How are these of concern to Christians today? Finally, to what extent would those concerns be shared today by those who are not professed and practicing Christians?

3.   One vision of the nature of evil and how we are to respond to it is offered in Beowulf; another in Elene. What are those visions? How do Layamon and Chretien de Troyes represent evil, its nature, and the right response to it? Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde offers its own vision: what is it? Mankind presents a vision of evil in the life of an ordinary person; what is it. What similarities do you see among these various visions of evil and how is each nonetheless distinct? Find parallels in contemporary discussions of societal evils to each of these visions.

Part II (35%) to be answered by all:

Once again you are asked to choose another of the works we have read since the start of the semester (other than the work chosen as your subject for the second exam) and then  identify, read, and evaluate six substantive articles published in academic journals since 1990 on the work you have chosen. Specifically, you are charged to (1) summarize the conclusions and the evidence offered in support of those conclusions in each article; (2) compare and contrast those conclusions to those put forth in this course; and (3) assess the validity and the utility of those conclusions against those put forth in this course as ideas that will shape your future responses to the world around you. Again, The value of this enterprise lies in your efforts to think independently and analytically; my “feelings” will not be “hurt” if you disagree with the conclusions I draw (which are, in any case, only tentative and exploratory). What is important is that you demonstrate an honest effort in thinking about the issues raised in both this course and the articles you read and then in drawing conclusions of use to you, as a person and a student of words, language, and stories.