Reading Notes: Italian Popular Tales, Part A

For the extra-credit reading this week, I went with Italian Popular Tales. As always, I'm a sucker for all things princess. Sisters can never be a good thing in these stories.. I think it's so tragically ironic that the youngest daughter asked for something so simple and pure compared to the other two, yet that's what led to her father's predicament. It's so different from Beauty and the Beast, but I recognize a few similarities here and there. It does suck that she chose to marry him simply because he had the power to heal her father. I liked the last story; I think I've read another version of it, and I liked that the snake was defeated by his own ideas.

Always the villain, never the hero.. Image: Pixabay

Reading Notes: Puss in Boots, Part B

Finishing off Puss in Boots!
First off, I had no idea that troll head meat was as good as beef.. I had to reread that a few times to make sure I understood it properly. I echoed the wife's sentiments on leaving a huge sack of money on the floor because he was worried about a cow.. So the trolls can also be candles? At least they got their fish from an actual river., even if their eyes are apparently connected to fish. I wonder what the moral is here haha, because this guy is a unique one. Is it terrible that all I want is to be rich, as well? How funny that the same spot grew a plant saying his secret. Thank goodness it's not real life!

No candle? No problem. Image: Blogspot

Reading Notes: Puss in Boots, Part A

This week, I decided to read Puss in Boots! He was one of my favorite characters in the movie Shrek, so I was interested to hear about his roots. It's hard to imagine him without his accent and sword. His cleverness with the ogre was entertaining to imagine in my head. How odd for a daughter to say she looks at her dad like she looks at salt in her food.. I mean, I guess it could be a compliment since salt adds flavor to food? I liked the Cinderella parallel here, even though it was the King's son, so doesn't that make them siblings? I was glad to hear how she did end up meaning the salt comment in a good way, though, even if it could have been worded a little better. The story about the dragon was slightly confusing.. Did he say the making his back straight comment because the guy was a hunchback? That didn't really make sense to me.

How the dragon was tricked... Image: BlogSpot

Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part B

So for this week, I continued reading Beowulf!
Firstly, the part with the monster just walking around was pretty terrifying. Of course, at the same time, Beowulf is also having a nightmare. I didn't realize their first encounter would be so soon. I'm so surprised that no one else woke up though, even if magic was at work.. I liked that Beowulf didn't kill him, but at least, got the upper hand in that fight, which was a little too gruesome for me. I like his fighting spirit. Of course, Grendel has a mother who sounds just as terrifying as him. I thought Grendel would be the only climax to this part, so I like that they gave him more challenges. How sad that he had to die, but I'm glad he did it victoriously.

See? Super creepy. Image: Stories of Beowulf

Reading Notes: Robin Hood, Part B

Part B started with a classic well known "Robin Hood move" in stealing from the rich to give to the poor. It was ironic to me how in the second story, the other beggars call Little John a low-life when they're doing the exact same thing.. At least he got some money for his troubles. Also, how was the old woman mistaken for a young, strong man?? While an entertaining picture, I was skeptical of its success. I like that for all of Robin Hood's good traits, he still has some vanity about him, which is what the Golden Arrow part is built on, even if he was disguised, yet again. I was a little sad to hear about his death. The story does a good job of developing him, and you end up knowing Robin Hood well after reading about all of his adventures.

The man himself. Image: The Robin Hood Project

Reading Notes: Ballads of Robin Hood, Part A

For this week, I'm reading about Robin Hood! Like a lot of others, I'm sure, I first heard about Robin Hood when I was maybe 5 years old. I was always torn on him stealing from the rich even though he was giving to the poor, because it was technically still stealing, right? While reading, I couldn't help but hear the words being read aloud in a Scottish accent. The name "Little John" for such a large fellow reminded me a little of Lenny Small in Of Mice and Men. I noticed the author used the word "bold" frequently before Robin Hood's name. He seems much more sly in this version that the fairy tale we're all so used to hearing. I was surprised to see the Robin Hood actually fought the pedlar to the point of "blood in streams did flow." At least he seems to become friends with everyone eventually. It's definitely interesting, even if it's slightly hard to understand completely.

With all that red, some might say he resembles another jolly man who also has an affinity for red and gifts.
Image: Look and Learn History Picture Library

Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part A

For this week, I decided to read Beowulf. I remembered some of my high schools read a version of this poem, so it caught my eye. I liked all the descriptive imagery on the first page alone like their eyes burning blue like the sea and their helmets being decorated with black ravens' wings. I found myself feeling sorry for Beowulf early on. He was strong, but he was lonely. The imagery in the Wanderer's song was amazing. The "limitless gray sea" and the "green-white icebergs floating treacherously" added a lot to a song, something that isn't seen to begin with, let alone in a story. I['m excited about the second part, to see if Beowulf successfully defeats the monster or not.

The great confidence of the king and queen in Beowulf. Image: Google Books: The Story of Beowulf