Dialectical Journal 7

1. Nor do I expect peace or pact-keeping of any sort from the Swedes. (ln. 2921) It is important to note that Wiglaf used to be a Swede himself before he joined Beowulf's band. He would know about the battle tactics of the Swedes and how they go about taking over other countries. Even though he has this knowledge though, there is still nothing Wiglaf can do about the Swedish invasion to come and the wiping out of the Geats. Possibly Wiglaf was a bad choice of a king for Beowulf's replacement because he still hasn't won the respect of the Geat warriors yet, making them less likely to listen to him in battle.

2. No one could miss their murderous feuding. (ln. 2948) Feuds are a huge part of the culture at this point in time, and the only examples we have of there not being feuds are Heorot and Geatland. In both instances, there isn't any feuding because people are to afraid of a particular person (Grendel/Beowulf) to attack that country. It is ironic that, in Heorot, it is actually pretty peaceful with Grendel is there, at least among the warriors. They are too afraid to do anything that might jeapordize their protection from the king. In Geatland, Beowulf's 100% record makes him a huge figure head, and since everyone is too afraid to anger him, there is less feuding.

3. He worked for the people, but as well as that he behaved like a hero. (ln. 3006) While it is true that Beowulf's warrior status made many things better for the Geats, it didn't make him the best of kings. His inability to back down from a fight eventually cost him his life, and it also cost his country great warriors because all the young ones didn't get a chance to practice. If Beowulf was around, he just took everything on himself and there was no way for the upcoming warriors to learn better fighting skills.

4. ...it was bought at a heavy cost... (ln. 3012) If you were to argue that Wiglaf was actually the one to kill the dragon, this would be a key line. Here, Wiglaf is hinting that the heavy cost isn't the cost of Beowulf's life, but the cost of his record. Beowulf's sterling record is his most prized accomplishment, and the fact that he had to accept help in fighting the dragon would ruin it for him. Not only did Wiglaf help, but he also mortally wounded the dragon, therefore making it not much of a fight for Beowulf to participate in. Wiglaf took all the challenge out of the fight that could have been bragged about later if Beowulf had lived.

5. Yet Beowulf's gaze at the treasure when he first saw it had not been selfish. (ln. 3074) The only reason Beowulf's gaze at the treasure wasn't selfish was because he didn't want any of it. The only thing that matters to him is the treasure of his own honor and glory. Material possessions hold no value for him, and he is even inclined to give them away. If he had lived, the dragon's treasure hoard would have made him more symbolically the good king by the distributing of treasure among his warriors and kin.

6. His worth and due as a warrior were the greatest. (ln. 3100) This line suggests that Beowulf's worth as a king was possibly not very much. Probably the best thing he did for his people was through the awe and fear he inspired in others as a warrior. The peace that came to Geatland during his reign was due to his great power as a warrior, and the stories that would have traveled far and wide about his record with the killing of great monsters.

7. ...hung with helmets, heavy war shields and shining armor, just as he had ordered. (ln. 3139) Again, we are reminded about how Beowulf seems to be warrior first, then king. His pride causes him to put himself into battle where he doesn't belong. He should rather be sending in the young warriors for the battle experience so they can become great warriors themselves. The armor put on Beowulf's funeral pyre is symbolic of his life as a warrior and his choice to put his glory before the glory of his country.

Dialectical Journal 6

1. Yet the prince of rings was too proud to line up with a large army. (ln. 2345) Pride plays a huge part in Beowulf's life. It is the main motivation behind most of his accomplishments. It is for his own fame and glory that he fights and defeats the monsters in this epic. It can be argued that his pride brought him the ultimate glory in the end. Dying in battle with a dragon would make an interesting song for poets in the future, and it could even make Beowulf as famous as Sigemund.

2. He was helplessly placed to set to rights the wrong committed... (ln. 2464) Beowulf as a Jesus figure is reinforced here. It can be argued that Jesus had no choice in the sacrifice of his own life to save the world from sin, just as Beowulf seems to have no choice but to turn and fight the dragon. Both men's deaths result in a greater good for the people they love.

3. I marched ahead of him, always there at the front of the line; and I shall fight like that for as long as I live... (ln. 2497) Beowulf states right out that he is never going to give up his role of a warrior, which doesn't make him the best king. He would rather be out there in the thick of things, putting his own life in danger than sitting back and commanding the warriors that are sworn to protect him, like it is expected of the figure head. Although Beowulf has the potential to be a great king, it is overshadowed by the fact that he could do more for his country if he wasn't so concerned with gaining glory for himself.

4. ...enter the line of battle with his lord, his first time to be tested as a fighter. His spirit did not break... (ln. 2626) A parrallelism can be seen here between Wiglaf and Beowulf in his youth. Both young men would never flee from a battle, and even seem to find a sense of enjoyment in the fighting. For them, it is all about honor and glory, and the protection of the king. As long as there's someone else who is king, they are safe to do what they love (which is fight in battles). If the king dies, then there is the fear that they will have to take his place and lose out on the enjoyment of fighting.

5. It was never his fortune to be helped in combat by the cutting edge of weapons made of iron. (ln. 2682) The idea of weapons not helping Beowulf is seen multiple times in this epic. They could even be seen as a hinderance to him. He does his best fighting with his bare hands, as we can see in his battle with Grendel. That is the shortest battle. In his fight with Grendel's mother, he has a sword and chain mail, which hampers his ability to move around, and thus makes the battle longer. The battle with the dragon is the longest, and, in this sense, the author makes the reader work as hard as Beowulf to get to the point. This fight also lasts the longest because it is the one where Beowulf has the most weapons. Ironically, he would have a better chance without his armor, but due to the heat from the dragon's fire, it is impossible to fight without protection of some kind.

6. A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame. (ln. 2890) This plays into the idea of warriors seeking out honor and glory. It is a disgrace for them to run and hide from a battle. Althougth, it could be argued that it was fate for them to run aways because if they hadn't the battle would have turned out differently. Beowulf might have lived and the passage of power would have turned out differently.

Lit. Elements

Epigram: a short poem or verse that seeks to ridicule a thought or event, usually with witticism or sarcasm
Example: “Sir, I admit your general rule,
That every poet is a fool,
But you yourself may serve to show it,
That every fool is not a poet.” -Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Ambiguity: an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context, or open to two or more interpretations
Example: And then a plank in reason, broke,
And I dropped down and down--
And hit a world at every plunge,
And finished knowing--then--
[she lost conciousness]
[she ended up finding out something]
[she did not know anything anymore] -Emily Dickinson

Dialectical Journal 5

1. If any retainer made bold to look her in the face...death qualms in an evil display. (ln. 1933) These lines play into the theme of the roles of women. While the role of the queen is to make peace, Modthryth creates chaos among men by killing off any who look at her. This provides us with a direct contrast to the other queens in the epic, as well as comparing her with Grendel's mother. Both women do the opposite of what is expected of a woman by killing certain men/warriors. But, the society of warriors is more accepting of Modthryth than of Grendel's mother causing them to marry her off to Offa, rather than killing her like the hag. While Modthryth is considerably tamed by her marriage, Grendel's mom never gets the chance to do great things because of her death (and also because she is a monster).

2. And although he got away to enjoy life's sweetness a while longer... (ln. 2096) This is ironic because there was nothing even remotely sweet about the remainder of Grendel's life. He had just suffered the humiliation of having his arm ripped off in battle. That humiliation combined with the pain he undoubtedly felt would have made the end of his life a living hell (not that it wasn't already with his life as an exile). Maybe that's why Beowulf calls the end of Grendel's life sweet. He knows that Grendel's suffering as an outcast is coming to an end, and Grendel can find peace in the fact that in death, everyone is made equal.

3. ...my time had not yet come. (ln. 2141) This is an allusion to various books of the New Testament of the Bible. Jesus mentions many times that his time has not yet come, and different scenes are described where he escapes because of this. The allusion reinforces the idea of Beowulf being chosen by God, or even being a Jesus figure. It also brings in a connection to the Bible that we haven't seen yet, since most of the allusions have been to the Old Testament. This could suggest a turning point in the epic.

4. ...a gem-studded sword in the Geat treasury. This he laid on Beowulf's lap and then rewarded him... (ln. 2193) This line suggests that there is a deeper meaning to the sword presented to Beowulf. The way it is written makes the sword seem much more important than the land, the hall and throne, etc. Giving Beowulf the sword is symbolic of Hygelac's trust in him and the faith that he has that Beowulf will make a great ruler. It also suggests that Hygelac knows that Beowulf will need it for a greater purpose one day. The sword is a protector that gets him through great battles.
5. ...grew old and wise as warden of the land... (ln. 2209) This line suggests that, while Beowulf may have been a good king, he didn't do his duties as traditionally as one might expect. Instead of just being a figurehead, he was the "warden of the land," keeping the evil things out and the wealth within his country. Eventhough this could be considered a good thing, it isn't the king's place to fight, it is the duty of his warriors who have pledged their allegiance to him and their country. Beowulf might be a good king, but he has trouble giving up the ways of a warrior.

Dialectical Journal 4

1. ...the hart in flight from pursuing hounds will turn to face them with firm set horns and die in the wood rather than dive beneath its surface. (ln. 1369) Not only does this reinforce the evil that lurks in the lake, but it also reminds the reader of the idea that the duty of the king is not to enter into battle. The country can't risk losing a leader and figurehead. Instead, he must turn around and face his kingly duties of commanding his warriors, rather than fighting with them. The king would have to have a huge amount of trust in his warriors to be willing to put the good of his country, and even his own life, in their hands.

2. Grendel's mother. The author doesn't actually give the hag a name, and there could be many reasons for this. It could be argued that she is (for the most part) called Grendel's mother because that is what she associates herself with. It seems clear to me, as a reader, that she idolized her son. It is her love for him, and her grief over his death, that causes her to face her fear of people and attack Heorot in her desire for revenge. It can also be argued that she isn't evil at all. Except for the fact that she's a monster, there's nothing that suggests that she has done anything wrong. Her actions are the same as any other warrior/hero in Heorot who seek revenge for the death of their kinsmen, but she is looked down on by them because of her monster status.

3. The wide water, the waves and pools, were no longer infested once the wandering fiend let go of her life and this unreliable world. (ln. 1620) Here, the idea of Beowulf being a priest/Jesus figure is reinforced. The death of Grendel's mother and the disappearance of the monsters from the lake is symbolic of a purification. Now that two of the more powerful monsters are dead and no longer raiding Heorot, it can go on with its daily activity. There isn't the fear at the back of everyone's mind anymore that they might be taken and eaten by a monster.

4. Happiness came back, the hall was thronged, and a banquet set forth; black night fell and covered them in darkness. (ln. 1788) This is a foreshadow to the blood feud that is coming to Heorot. For right now, everyone is happy about the victory over the monsters and they can drink and eat and enjoy themselves, but later there will be jealousy between the great and the not so great. Families will be ripped apart by the need of some to be able to prove themselves. But, the way they go about proving themselves is not the traditional way, and it will create chaos in Heorot.

5. ...he put no blame on the sword's cutting edge. He was a considerate man. (ln. 1811) The way this epic talks about the named swords almost makes them seem human, or like they have feelings. The way this line is read makes it seem like Beowulf is being considerate to the sword, rather than to its owner. Earlier in the story it also talks about how the sword has to be called, which is also a human quality. These swords are less like weapons than they are fellow warriors to the person who is brave enough to bear them into battle.

Dialectical Journal 3

1. But now a man, with the Lord's assistance... (ln. 938) This plays into the idea of Beowulf being chosen by God. It reinforces him as a priest or even as a Jesus figure. The fact that he has God's assistance makes him basically undefeatable, at least while he is still in God's favor. It could be argued that Beowulf is more of a priest than a Jesus figure though because he is the reason for Grendel's death and Jesus was never a man of violence.

2. But death is not easily escaped from by anyone... (ln. 1001) It is important to know this concept, and it's connection with fate. In this epic, whatever happens happens and there is no way of escaping it. You have to be able to face the consequences of your actions. The fact that it says death isn't easily escaped hints at the idea that there are some who do manage to escape their death for a time, but it eventually gets to them in the end, like it does for us all.

3. She, the woman in shock, waylaid by grief... (ln. 1074) The of women suffering plays into this part of the story and reinforces the slightly anti-war part of the epic. It underlines the loss that the mother feels for her son, brother, and husband. By mentioning these specific men in her life who were killed, the song emphasizes her sorrow by telling us that the woman basically lost her whole family. Women are in the text not only to be good hostesses and provide peace between nations, but also to show the reader some of the horrors of war.

4. ...they were leaderless, in forced allegiance to his murderer. (ln. 1102) This idea directly contrasts the idea of wergild, or blood-money. The fact that the warriors were forced to suffer even more after the loss of their leader by being forced to follow the one who killed him is definitely different. According to their Anglo-Saxon traditions, it should be the murderer who is forced to pay the price for killing their leader, not the other way around.

5. ...flamed and consumed the dead of both sides. (ln. 1124) Here there is the idea that death was the same for all of the warriors. Some of them might have died more bravely than others by choosing to fight rather than, perhaps, running away, but the main point is that death has no discrimination. It doesn't matter where you're from or who you're fighting for. You're either dead or you're not.

6. But now his mother had sallied forth on a savage journey, grief-racked and ravenous, deasperate for revenge. (ln. 1276) I find it kind of weird that the concept of wergild only applies to "normal" people, not to monsters. The people in Heorot don't even consider the fact that Grendel might have a mother and that she might feel the same grief that they would feel after losing a member of their family. It is pretty much taken for granted that wergild should be paid after the killing of another person's kin, but if the son of a monster is killed, it makes you a hero and the payment for their life is just forgotten.

7. To Hrothgar, this man was the most beloved of the friends he trusted between the two seas. (ln. 1296) The subtext here is that, becasue Hrothgar is a good king, he thinks of all his men as his most trusted. It is possible that, at this point in time, this man is at the front of his mind as his most trusted man because Hrothgar has just lost him. It is a compliment to the man as a warrior and protector of the king that he is remembered so well and thought so highly of. At the same time, this is how Hrothgar views many of his men. To him, they are all valuable.

Dialectical Journal 2

1. Majesty lodged there, its light shone over many lands. (ln. 310) This sentence is a huge contrast. It talks about the light of Hereot and how it is a symbol of hope and power to other lands, but at the same time, there is no hope actually in the hall with Grendel around. The Danish warriors are too weak or cowardly to fight them, and their fear is a type of darkness by being a black mark against them. Grendel is also a source of darkness in the land of light by being the one who is doing the raiding and taking to hope of the Danish people.

2. ...with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand... (ln. 380) Foreshadow to Beowulf's victory over Grendel. Earlier in the epic, the author tells us of Grendel's first raid and how he took thirty men. By saying that Beowulf has the strength of thirty men in just one arm tells us that he can handle Grendel because he has the strength of sixty and Grendel only has the strength of thirty. It also makes the ripping off of Grendel's arm symbolic of how they fought; if Beowulf fought with one hand, they would have been even.

3. My flesh was not for feasting on... (ln. 561) Here, Beowulf is speaking about the sea monsters, but there is also a hint that he is also talking about Grendel and how he eats his victims. Beowulf is saying that he bested monsters once, and he will do it again. He will not allow his body to be desecrated by a monster who goes into a fit of rage just because he hears music and laughter and merriment.

4. ...but his fate that night was due to change. (ln. 733) There is a suggestion here that the changing of Grendel's fate might not be a good thing. When God put the mark on Cain, no other man would touch him becase they feared being smited by God. The fact that Beowulf kills the marked descendent of Cain puts him in danger of being smited. It's also possible that by killing the marked one and changing fate, Beowulf is taking the fate of Grendel on himself, or at least a small part of it.

5. ...bloodying the path... (ln. 844) The reason for the bloody path now has a much different significance to the Danes than when Grendel was the one causing the bleeding. When the people know that it is Grendel's blood that makes the path, it gives them a feeling of triumph, even if they weren't personally the ones with the victory. Before, when it was the blood of their friends and family, they felt helpless and insulted because there was nothing they could do to stop Grendel's raids. Now that it is Grendel's blood, they know that he will soon be dead and everything can go back to the way it was before he came to Heorot.

Dialectical Journal

1. Behavior that's admired is the path to power among people everywhere. (pg. 3, ln. 25) This is a motif that will be seen throughout Beowulf. As long as the path to power is honorable and doesn't involve some kind of act like kin-killing, then it will be looked on by others as a good thing. They will look up to and respect the one who is doing the climbing on the ladder to success and be impressed that they can accomplish such a feat so well without making mistakes that would lead to exile.

2. They decked his body no less bountifully with offerings than those first ones did who cast him away when he was a child and launched him alone out over the waves. (pg. 4, ln. 43) This part of the poem suggests that when Shield Sheafson was exiled, it wasn't because of dishonor. He was probably a sacrifice to invaders who came by the sea or to one of the pagan gods.

3. ...the clear song of a skilled poet telling with mastery of man's beginnings, how th Almighty had made the earth... (pg. 5, ln. 90) There is a slight hint that the reason Grendel hates the music so much and begins his raiding is because of the song about God and his creation. God was the one who made an exile of Cain and, through him, Grendel. Grendel can't join in with the merriment of the other men because of the mark that was placed on him by God. The song makes him even more angry by pointing out the huge gap between himself and everyone inside the hall.

4. Grendel ruled in defiance of right, one against all... (pg. 6, ln. 144) It can be argued that what is meant here is that Grendel is ruling in defiance of God. In most cultures, riteousness is doing the will of God. In this part of Beowulf, Grendel is deliberately trying to get back at God by making sure that the one He did choose to rule isn't able to do so properly due to the fact that Grendel has taken over.

5. For twelve winters, seasons of woe, the lord of the Shieldings suffered under his load of sorrow... (pg. 6, ln. 147) This section provides a direct contrast to what we know will happen with Beowulf in his later years. Where Hrothgar chooses not to fight Grendel and protect his country and his hall, Beowulf ends up dying for the greater good of his country by fighting the dragon who invades his kingdom. The author may be setting this up to suggest that Beowulf is not only a better warrior than Hrothgar, but also a better king because he is willing to sacrifice all for the good of his people.

*My book is different than the rest of you, so some of the page numbers might not be the same.

Lit. Terms

Archetype: The original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies, also a stereotype (a personality type observed multiple times, especially if it is oversimplified)
example: some stereotypes include- the damsel in distress, the gentle giant, the mentor, the story teller, etc. One of the most prominent archetypes is Romeo & Juliet, the star crossed lovers fated to die.

Catharsis: used to describe some sort of emotional release experienced by the audience at the end of a successful tragedy (the release of pity and fear)
example: at the end of Romeo & Juliet, the audience feels the release of pity and sadness for Romeo because of his misfortune in losing Juliet, and ultimately his own life as well. The audience feels sad that it couldn't all work out for them in the end, but Shakespeare makes up for it by causing the feud between the families to end.

Tolkein's Criticism of Beowulf

In Tolkein's essay, he has many arguments about the work of different critics who have focused on the historical aspects of Beowulf. His main arguments is that they shouldn't have focused on the history of the text, but on the use of structure, literary elements, and character to create an emotional connection with the reader. He argues that the purpose of Beowulf is to "give that sense of perspective, of antiquity with a greater and yet darker antiquity behind." Tolkein says that Beowulf might not be the greatest epic ever written, but it "has its own individual character, and peculiar solemnity." Slthough I haven't read Beowulf yet, I would have to agree with Tolkein that historical influence is perhaps not the most important aspect of a literary work. For many of us, the first time we read a book, we aren't focused on how the author came to a conclusion, but rather what that conclusion is and how the author causes us, as the reader, to react to it.

The monsters also play into this idea of story development and also serve to separate Beowulf from other epics of a similar subject. By making the monsters enemies of men and gods, Tolkein argues that this makes Beowulf different from previous epics (such as the Aeneid or the Oddessey) where the monsters were mostly just enemies of men and they came from the gods. In Beowulf, they just all around represent sin and evil. Tolkein argues that the monsters are necessary for the advancement of the story by their strategic placement in the development of Beowulf as a man. Tolkein says "the placing of the dragon is inevitable: a man can but die on his death-day."

Efnisien

1.Efnisien is the troublemaker. He likes nothing more than causing problems between people, whether it's between Wales and Ireland, or himself and his family. Although he does love to create mischief, he can also be argued to be a hero. he has his country at heart, and it is his sacrifice of his own life that keeps the Irish army from regenerating and killing his entire country.

2. No other myths/stories/folklore about Efnisien exist from this time period.

3. To the author of Branwen Daughter of Llyr, Efnisien represents the ultimate hero to the people of Wales. He forsees the trouble with his sister and the Irish king and takes action on it, keeping Wales and Ireland from having a true alliance, which works out well for Britain in the end. His breaking of the cauldron keeps it from being a very dangerous weapon against not only the Welsh people, but any other country that would have had conflict with Ireland. If it wasn't for Efnisien's causing the trouble with Ireland in the first place, Bendigeidfran would never have been mortally wounded and his head would never have become the protector of Great Britain.

4. I find Efnisein to be very likeable. It is much easier to relate to the character who doesn't always do the right thing than it is to the ones like Bendigeidfran, who are considered "perfect." No one likes a perfect person, except for maybe themselves. For the rest of us, the ones who are constantly getting into, or being the cause of trouble are the ones who hit closest to home. They remind us of ourselves and make us feel good by showing us how sometimes the greatest heroes are the ones who don't always get it right.

5. see above- Efnisien breaking the cauldron

6. One of the most prominent literary terms that comes to mind when discussing Efnisien is situational irony. The evidence of his troublemaking (ex: mutilation of horses, kneading the "flour" bags, throwing Gwern into the fire) causes the reader to believe that he wouldn't regret what he has done and go on doing exactly the same thing. But the author surprises us by describing his tremendous heroic act where he fakes death to be thrown into the cauldron. It is this act, and the breaking of that cauldron, that ultimately results in the victory of the Welsh army over the Irish. It is a surprise to the reader to find that Efnisien does have his country at heart, when he seems to be doing everything in his power the ruin the peace with Ireland.

Literary Elements

Elegy: a mournful poem, or a lament for the dead. There is usually the 3 stages of loss: 1. lament(the speaker expresses grief and sorrow), 2. the praise and admiration of the idealized dead, 3. consolation and solace.

example: O Captain! My Captain!- by Walt Whitman

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack,
the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up- for you the flag is flung- for
you the bugle trills,

For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths- for you the shores
a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.



Pastoral: a literary work idealizing the rural life (especially the lives of shepherds). common topics are: love and seduction, the value of poetry, death and mourning (here there's a connection with the elegy), corruption of court/city life vs. "purity" of idealized country life.

example: I Care Not for These Ladies- by Thomas Campion
I care not for these ladies,
That must be wooed and prayed:
Give me kind Amaryllis,
The wanton country maid.
Nature art disdaineth,
Her beauty is her own.
Her when we court and kiss,
She cries, “Forsooth, let go!”
But when we come where comfort is,
She never will say no.
If I love Amaryllis,
She gives me fruit and flowers:
But if we love these ladies,
We must give golden showers.
Give them gold, that sell love,
Give me the nut-brown lass,
Who, when we court and kiss,
She cries, “Forsooth, let go!”
But when we come where comfort is,
She never will say no.
These ladies must have pillows,
And beds by strangers wrought;
Give me a bower of willows,
Of moss and leaves unbought,
And fresh Amaryllis,
With milk and honey fed;
Who, when we court and kiss,
She cries, “Forsooth, let go!”
But when we come where comfort is,
She never will say no.

Branwen Daughter of Llyr

Motif: the mutilation of horses
The animals in Branwen Daughter of Llyr hold a lot of significance. The horses, which symbolize wealth and status for both kings, could be argued to be one of the causes of the war. Efnisein's brutal mutilation of the horses is a deliberate act of trying to provoke the Irish king, Malthowch, to declare war. Not only does he ruin the property of the Irish king, but he also is insulting the whole purpose for Malthowch's coming to Wales in the first place. Unfortunately, his plans are ruined by his brother. But, his actions do serve the purpose of putting the idea of continued hostility into the mind of Malthowch, causing him to doubt later that his marriage to Branwen had anything to do with keeping the peace. Malthowch's people make him believe that Bendigeidfran's payment wasn't sufficient for the insult that was made towards them when they were just trying to make an alliance. Luckily for Efnisein, his mutilation of the horses was just enough to make the Irish mad enough to provoke the war that he had been planning.