Beowulf vs
Beowulf vs. mcmurtry"The claim that men like seriously to battle one another to some sort of finish is a myth." Or is it? Let's examine the facts:
Football is a sport. "It is a sport in which body wreckage is one of the leading conventions." Football is the number one contact sport. When you are young football is fun, or at least it is supposed to be. Running on the damp green grass early Saturday morning, no refs, no rules, no worries. But, as the years progress, the game changes. You are introduced to a "dog eat dog" kind of game. "It is sort of a victory by ordeal: 'we hurt them more than they hurt us.'"
This concept is very much similar to the Anglo-Saxin warfare. Differing in one minor way: "there is little or no protest against football." War on the other hand is considered a malitious bloodbath. Can you spot the difference between the two? I couldn't at first, but then I had the chance to read Beowulf and that passage changed my mind.
The only way the people in Beowulf's story could get into heaven was by earning fame. They needed to prove themselves strong, immortal, and have a song made about them to prover that they are, in fact, worthy of a spot in heaven. "And Beowulf uttered his final boast: 'I've never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me."
Not only are war and football alike in game, but they are alike in name. "The family resemblance between football and war is, indeed, striking. Their languages are similar: "field general", "long bomb", "blitz", and "take a shot"." Those are just to name a few. "Their principles and practices are alike: mass hysteriaa, the art of intimidation, absolute command and total obedience." As if this weren't enough information to change your mind about the likeness between the two there is still more. "The virtues they celebrate are almost identical:...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.