The bible explicitly states that people mistakenly look at outward appearances and don't appreciate inner abilities. Samuel 1 16:7. When Samuel goes to find Saul's replacement, he is explicitly told:
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Pay no attention to his appearance or his stature, for I have rejected him. For not as man sees [does the LORD see]; man sees only what is visible, but the LORD sees into the heart.”
And after Jesse presents his first seven sons, Samuel needs to ask (Samuel 1 16:11)
Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the boys you have?” He replied, “There is still the youngest; he is tending the flock.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send someone to bring him, for we will not sit down to eat-b until he gets here.”
You're right — Bǫðvarr Bjarki is one of the big Beowulf analogues. If you've read Beowulf but haven't read Hrólfs Saga Kraka yet, even just reading Bǫðvarr's section is very intriguing.
The bible explicitly states that people mistakenly look at outward appearances and don't appreciate inner abilities. Samuel 1 16:7. When Samuel goes to find Saul's replacement, he is explicitly told:
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Pay no attention to his appearance or his stature, for I have rejected him. For not as man sees [does the LORD see]; man sees only what is visible, but the LORD sees into the heart.”
And after Jesse presents his first seven sons, Samuel needs to ask (Samuel 1 16:11)
Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the boys you have?” He replied, “There is still the youngest; he is tending the flock.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send someone to bring him, for we will not sit down to eat-b until he gets here.”
That's a fantastic parallel — thank you for sharing it!
It still is amusing to me that OE uses "slēac" in much the way we use "slacker"
Hahaha, I hadn't thought of that but you're absolutely right!
Well, wins, then loses again
This is great. The name, Cinderella is also derived from the idea of ashes or cinders.
You're right — Bǫðvarr Bjarki is one of the big Beowulf analogues. If you've read Beowulf but haven't read Hrólfs Saga Kraka yet, even just reading Bǫðvarr's section is very intriguing.