Ballad of the White Horse: Interpretive Essay
Paper details:
2. The differences between the attitudes of the pagan Danes in the harp songs of the four Danish chiefs, and the attitudes of Christians in the harp song of Alfred in Book III, lines 76-382:
Contrast the self-centered pleasure, sadness, hatred of creation, and uncertainty about the meaning of life that the pagan Danes express in their harp songs with the joy, hope, love for creation, and certainty about the meaning of life that Alfred, a Christian, expresses or implies in his harp song. Remember the attitudes of the pagan Danes and Christians are indicated by poetic images rather than by logical descriiption and explanation. Be sure to confirm your ideas by quoting the poetic images.
