Tag Archives: Beowulf

Are Stories a Trap? Not the Great Ones

By Robin Bates | Published: July 20, 2023

A recent New Yorker article critiques our reliance on stories but makes the mistake of not distinguishing between different kinds of stories.

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This Time, Grendel Chooses Nashville

By Robin Bates | Published: March 28, 2023

With another mass shooting, this one closer to home, I once again invoke “Beowulf.”

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Child Spy Rats Out English Teacher

By Robin Bates | Published: November 16, 2022

The child spy tip line in Virginia received a complaint about how a teacher was teaching “Beowulf.” Meanwhile, a Texas school has banned Neil Gaiman’s works.

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Election 2022: Win or Lose, Beowulf

By Robin Bates | Published: November 10, 2022

Two passages from “Beowulf” to capture feelings of despondency and elation, depending on how the election went for you.

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Iago Resentment Is Destroying America

By Robin Bates | Published: April 10, 2022

The “ressentiment” that drives Iago to destroy Othello is present in our own society and equally destructive.

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On Grendel, a Boston Bar, and a Texas Law

By Robin Bates | Published: September 12, 2021

A case involving a Boston bar (Grendel’s Den) may be invoked in legal challenges to the new Texas abortion ban. What would Beowulf do?

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Worshipping False Covid Idols

By Robin Bates | Published: August 13, 2021

People resisting the Covid vaccines are like the counselors in “Beowulf” worshipping false idols to ward off Grendel’s attacks.

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Beowulf Would Favor Vaccine Mandate

By Robin Bates | Published: August 5, 2021

Beowulf would favor vaccine mandates and passports and his firmness would convince the rest of society to go along.

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Can We Be Beowulf Strong?

By Robin Bates | Published: August 3, 2021

“Bowulf,” a poem about rage, violence, and the end of empire.

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