10 Stages of Courtly Love

1.) Make sure your love interest is aware of you! If this involves going out of your way to pick up her dropped pen, then please do so.

2.) Once your love interest is aware that you exist, try to become her acquaintance or at least have a relationship with her that is not awkward. This could involve simply being partners with her for a school project or an in-class assignment. If it is a school project, be sure to get her number! It does not hurt to find an excuse to call!

3.) Through these small opportunities you have with her, make sure she gets to know you. For example, spark up a conversation while working on your assignment together. Make sure you do not focus the whole conversation around yourself! Ask her about herself too. It shows you care and are interested in what she has to say.

4.) If you have managed to engage in a variety of conversations with her, then you are on the right track. She will begin to view you more as a friend rather than an acquaintance. Note: Your goal is only to get her to know you! Do not be too friendly with her, or else she will label you as a good friend and nothing more.

5.) Do not constantly be the one to approach her. If she is interested in you, she will approach you also! If you believe you are the one making all the efforts, then I am afraid this is where the road ends. Do not waste your time and try to move on.

6.) If you have noticed her eagerness in looking for you in the hallway or her efforts in trying to talk to you, then it is time to show her your affection. When I say this, I do not mean attacking her with kisses, but simply look her in the eyes when you speak to her, listen to what she has to say, and most importantly, be respectful. Show her that whatever she says is important to you. When she is down, be that person who gives her a hug to make her feel better. Show her your concern if she is not feeling well. In other words, give her more care and attention than you normally would for anybody else.

7.) Now, if you are successfully doing this, then you should receive a similar response. This could involve her confiding her secrets to you or being caring towards you. For example, she might bake you cookies because she knows they are your favorite.

8.) When you feel her warmth and affection growing, then it is time for you to ask her out on a date. Do not ask her in an awkward manner. You two have built a special relationship, which means both of you have mutual feelings. As the guy, you need to step it up a notch and make her yours. If you have been successful in following these rules, then you should know that she LOVES being with you. This should make it easier for you to ask her out to dinner.

9.) When she agrees to go out with you, do NOT be nervous. This will show her that you want more than just a friendly relationship. If she says yes, then she is interested in the same as well, but do NOT ruin this opportunity!

10.) Engage in conversation like you normally would. When she is deeply looking into your eyes and smiling uncontrollably, you have gotten her in your grasp. Now, slowly open up to her and let her know how you feel about her. Ease into the conversation; there is no need to rush. If you do this correctly, she should express her mutual feelings to you. With this being said, ask her if she would like to be your girlfriend. You two have built a bond that can be worked off of, but also be aware of the fact that she may be thinking you are moving too fast. If this is the case, be respectful towards her feelings (as hard as it may be).

Essential Question #4 (Group 2)

Simplify and analyze Hrothgar's parting words to Beowulf, lines 1708-1767

In the beginning of Hrothgar's parting words, he mentions that "all things are in [God's] power" (1711). In other words, events that occur, such as "a noble man's mind to experience happiness" (1712-1713) are all God's doing. God determines the fate of people on earth. Hrothgar, then, talks about this noble man and how the blessings from God can cause arrogance to develop. This arrogance will steer into something "insufficient" (1732). With this arrogance, the noble man will forget "his destiny and disregard the honors given to him [by] God" (1735-1737). In other words, Hrothgar gives Beowulf an example of a noble man who allowed his blessings to make him an egotistical being and warns Beowulf to swallow his pride because it will or could hurt him. After giving Beowulf this warning, Hrothgar gives Beowulf an insight of his own experiences as a ruler. He speaks of how he thought the "time had come when [he] thought [he] had no enemies left on earth" (1756-1757), which turned out to be false when Grendel came along. Thus, he is also telling Beowulf to watch his back. Hrothgar thanks God at the end of his speech and, immediately after, tells Beowulf he will reward him with presents the next day. Two things are wrong with that statement. Hrothgar has been a horrible follower of God. He has guided his people into the opposite direction of God and sins almost every day; yet, he is thanking God. Another flaw is Beowulf's acceptance of these gifts. As a Christ figure, Beowulf should have no desire to accept gifts! He is known as a selfless man. Fortunately, we do find out later in the poem that he gives the gifts to the treasure-giver.