Beowulf Portrait Of Anglo Saxon Society Essay - 2057 Words

Beowulf: Portrait of Anglo-Saxon Society The Middle Ages in England began with the withdrawal of the Romans and the arrival of various Germanic tribes (the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes), during the mid-fifth century. These tribes, which became known as the Anglo-Saxons, were composed of people from North Germany, Denmark and northern Holland, and took control of most of Britain, except for lands such as Scotland, Wales or Cornwall (Hindley 23). They brought with them the tradition of oral poetry, specifically heroic poetry, which they valued, as it honored brave feats and specific codes of conduct, and which was used for recording historical events. One of the most famous heroic stories, later transposed to manuscript, was the poem Beowulf (Edward 2). It is the mythical tale of a warrior who saves his people from monsters through his courageous deeds. Nevertheless, this epic poem was not completely fictional as it incorporated a great deal of Germanic history. For example, m any of the characters were real, such as: kings, Hygelac, Hrothgar, Ongentheow, Haethcyn, Onela and Heardred, and are mentioned in a twelfth century chronicle. The Geats, Danes, and Swedes of the time are also historically noted in ancient chronicles. The Ravenswood battle, fought in 510AD is also true, and Heorot was an actual place located in a Meiselbach 2 village near Roskilde, on the island with Copenhagen (Hunter 49). More importantly, heroic poems often utilized the hero to embodyShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Beowulf As A Heroic Epic779 Words   |  4 Pagesideals are sometimes the basis of a society. The Anglo-Saxon people are a prime example of the previous statement. In Anglo-Saxon culture, being called a hero was an honor. Heroes were treated like kings. One of the most popular hero stories that bled into Anglo-Saxon life was the heroic epic of Beowulf. Beowulf was the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon hero as he was courageous, strong, and determined. Due to its wondrous tales of Beowulf’s intrepid adventures, Beowulf is a heroic epic. To clarify, aRead MoreRethinking Gender And Space On Old English Literature877 Words   |  4 PagesGender and Space in Old English Literature Beowulf and The Wife’s Lament are written between 100 and 1600 centuries. There has been different interpretation of the poems, some, an attempt to fit the events in the poems into the 21st century which has led to distortions and misrepresentation especially of the female characters and their representation in these poems. According to Shari Horner, twentieth century critics have tried to read women in Beowulf particularly as garrulous, weak, and dispassionateRead MoreAnglo-Saxon Heroic Poetry5673 Words   |  23 Pagesinestimable value as a source of knowledge about many aspects of Germanic society. The traditional epics (also called primary epics or folk epics) were shaped by a literary artist from historical and legendary materials which had developed out of the oral traditions of his nation during a period of expansion and warfare. To this group are ascribed the Iliad and Odyssey of the Greek Homer, and the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf . The literary or secondary epics were composed by sophisticated craftsmenRead MoreBritish Literature Essay1614 Words   |  7 PagesAges the oldest literature monument of the Anglo – Saxon period is the old Germanic legend called BEOWULF. This heroic poem is about the strong and courageous pagan hero Beowulf John Wycliffe – is a professor of Oxford University. With his students he translated the whole Bible into English - he influenced Master Jan Hus and our Hussite movement very much 2. the renaissance and humanism Geoffrey Chaucer – Canterbury Tales – brilliant portrait of 30 pilgrims who travel to Canterbury andRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Beowulf 3700 Words   |  15 PagesSeptember 2014 Summer Reading Assignment Beowulf 1. This epic poem is one of the first works composed in the English language. It also tells us about the Anglo-Saxon people who lived in England and their culture. What values did these people support? What ideals did they try to live by? How do their values compare to our values today? Try to find similarities between our culture and this ancient culture. Use examples from text to support your points. The Anglo-Saxon people in England at this time followedRead MoreThe Sonnet Form: William Shakespeare6305 Words   |  26 Pagespattern created in a line of verse. There are four basic kinds of meter: Accentual (strong-stress) meter: The number of stressed syllables in a line is fixed, but the number of total syllables is not. This kind of meter is common in Anglo-Saxon poetry, such as Beowulf. Gerard Manley Hopkins developed a form of accentual meter called sprung rhythm, which had considerable influence on 20th-century poetry. Syllabic meter: The number of total syllables in a line is fixed, but the number of stressed syllablesRead MoreChildrens Literature13219 Words   |  53 Pageschildren’s literature is a constant battle of dulcis et utile (or, pleasure and instruction) and (2) children’s literature is a site of multiplicity and intertextuality that absorbs and assimilates anything it likes. 2. Early History In order for a society to produce a substantial body of childrens literature it must recognize the existence of children as an important and distinctive category of readers with separate needs and interests. Despite Philippe Arià ¨ss much debated assertion that childhood

The Justice System Of America - 1684 Words

â€Å"The court finds you guilty on all accounts. You are sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. Court dismissed.† If only justice in America was the same as a hollywood movie, where, in the end, each and every person put on trial receives a true and just verdict. It would be nice if America’s justice system was designed so that â€Å"you couldn’t be the next victim of corruption - innocent and sent to prison, or strapped to a table and put to death; or robbed of your life savings by American lawyers† (Sachs, America’s Corrupt Legal). Welcome to the new America, where all it takes is pockets as deep as the Pacific Ocean to be innocent and poverty to be found guilty, thrown in jail, and not given a second thought. Although America often prides itself on its just ways of governing and dealing with potential criminals, the justice system is often corrupted because of social issues, ethical issues, corrupt officials, and control of the press. Corrupt ion is no longer just judges taking bribes. It is defined as any organized, interdependent system in which part of the system is either not performing duties it was originally intended to, or performing them in an improper way, to the detriment of the system s original purpose (Sachs, Judicial Misconduct). Many social issues are derived from the corrupt legal system. Millionaires and billionaires are committing white-collar crimes that could lock them up for many years, but instead of being punished they are enjoying mansions andShow MoreRelatedThe Criminal Justice System Of America1763 Words   |  8 PagesThe criminal justice system has been around for thousands of years. It has not always been as formal and structured as it is today, but has been a constant part of society nonetheless. As nations and societies have changed, so has the criminal justice system present within each nation or society. Customs and laws have affected the punishments and procedures observed in criminal justice systems all over the world as certain punishments or laws set in one society may not apply to another society. Read MoreAmerica s Criminal Justice System896 Words   |  4 Pagesobjectives of criminal justice, to set up the difficulty for effective decision-making and therefore the ability to come to a decision. These a number of the cited as a number of the most things that show however Germany s criminal justice system contrasts with the America s criminal justice system. supported this; this essay are going to be comparison at a number of the basic variations between America’s and Germany’s scheme (Maxeiner, 2012). For instance; it s clear that America s judges square measureRead MoreCriminal Justice System And The Government Of America1813 Words   |  8 PagesCriminal justice is one of the most important systems which affect everyone’s life in the government of America. Within the system, although the debate over causes and solutions to crime will probably never end, the government has evolved and developed a criminal justice system for dealing with crimes. By deterring and mitigating crime, upholding social control, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts, the criminal justice system has a fundamentalRead MoreThe Death Penalty And The Justice System Of America2224 Words   |  9 PagesThe death penalty has been in the justice system of America tracing all the way back to the days of its founding fathers. Though it is a highly controversial legal and moral matter, it still stands today as the most ultimate punishment in the United States. Many countries have been or are currently abolishing their death penalty under the notion that it is unjust and morally wrong. The United States, on the other hand, has 38 out of its 50 states with laws that state the death penalty as its ultimateRead MoreAmerica s Criminal Justice System1845 Words   |  8 Pagessociety appears more secure and crimes of violence decrease. Since it is essential to control violence in society, retribution is essential. Retribution should undoubtedly be favored over rehabilitation in America’s criminal justice system because it enforces the law and ensures justice. Newman as a punishment for crime , â€Å"poor results Foundation work for other agencies to tackle crime.† Death leads to the front. Murder they are . Also open to allow them to better everyday in addition, the complex moralRead MoreAmerica s Prison System And The Justice System929 Words   |  4 PagesAmerica’s prison system has become permanent part of the justice system. It was not long ago that prisoners were chained up together and perform hard labor on day to day basis. Nowadays prisons are very different and offer variety programs. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to speedy and public trial. Everything starts with a judge issue an arrest warrant. Arrest warrant must include a probable cause that someone committed a crime, as well as person name, a description of the offense, dateRead MoreThe Criminal Justice System and Courts in America973 Words   |  4 PagesDescribe a court and its purpose. Courts are established social, political, and judicial institutions necessary for the manifestation of justice and the maintenance of law and order. The courts are part of the judicial branch of government, as outlined in Article III of the United States Constitution. Courts are the arenas in which the law is tried and applied. Judges are the presiding officers of the court. The United States Supreme Court is the most fundamental court because has the authorityRead MoreAmerica s Juvenile Justice System Essay1678 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica’s juvenile justice system has been around for ages and has had problems since its creation. The courts have failed to devise a way to help juveniles and keep them from even entering the justice system. More often than not, juveniles are forgotten and never dealt with until they reach the point where they are either going to be placed within the system or receive some sort of diversion or alternative. This is where the problem exists. There needs to be more communication between the differentRead MoreRacism And Discrimination : America s Justice System1301 Words   |  6 PagesIt is an issue which affects millions of people in the United States alone. Whether racial profiling somebody is appropriate or not by our law enforcement, it is an action that many people of color fall victim to. America s justice system by our constitution intends to provide justice for all; however, I believe that racial profiling continues to deter from that goal because of its negative inflictions by our structural law enforcement, society, and cultural upbringing. Native American, CaucasiansRead MoreThe Criminal Justice System Of The United States Of America1985 Words   |  8 PagesThe judicial processes that have been adopted by the current criminal justice system of the United States of America include mandatory minimums that diminish the importance of certain factors in a case such as the context of the situation and the power of jud ges to decide on an appropriate sentence; furthermore, they result in more serious, yet overlooked, implications of racial bias and unfair plea bargaining. Mandatory minimums are strict sentences that a judge must abide by when determining how

North American Gender Inequality free essay sample

Abderahmane Behilil Submitted to: Mrs. Meszaros Due Date: Dec, 7th, 2012 North American Gender inequality Elizabeth 2nd, 1952)â€Å"No employee shall employ a female employee for any work at a rate of pay that is less than the rate of pay at which a male employee is employed by that employer for identical or substantially identical work† Although it is law in all of North America, gender inequality has been profoundly observed within the government and areas such as companies and industries where the female gender continues to experience unequal gender concentrations in different job positions, unequal gender pay, as well as being discriminated against when employment comes into question. Although it has been suppressed to some extent, it is still a problem in the labor force. It is especially evident when examining employment issues. As a matter of fact, the governments along with companies and industries, all across North America have been experiencing unequal gender concentrations in different job positions. Of the 267 directors of board, only 11 percent are female in 27 North American publicly held steel companies (Petry 1997). This demonstrates that there is indeed a glass ceiling (unofficial yet know prevention of promotion in position/rank) because females are openly suppressed to lower incomes or power positions. Women comprise 66% of the U. S. workforce, yet only 21% hold middle management positions, and a mere 15% are at the senior management level† (Sipe, 2009). This means that though women make up more than half of the labor force, they are still viewed as the weaker gender and in turn not suitable for promotion. In the auto industry, woman make 80 persent of all sales, yet there are only 100 females in high ranking positions. Although the female gender contributes more than its fair share, they are still left in low income positions. With females contributing greatly to the labor force and still being subdued to low income and rank positions, the male population will end up acquiring most of the top positions which may lead to discouraged female employees and a potential great loss of female employees at middle positions creating weak support for the economy. To illustrate, gender inequality is evident due to the female gender being subdued to the lower income/management positions in the labor force. In addition, unequal gender pay has been found to be more evident than previously assumed. Female North American university professor publication rates have been found to be much lower than male professor publication rates which have been argued by some to be the reason behind their lower income, taking into consideration that only professors are allowed to publish. However, looking at gender differences in field seniority and rank, the difference with the male gender was very well explained (Doucet et all, 2012). Although the education system teaches society to work towards gender equality, it has failed to implement it and have therefore turned gender equality into a theory. In the United States, Minnesota’s population is roughly around five million yet the average woman earns 22 percent less of a dollar then the average man does, even though 197,000 homes in the state are female headed( Gender pay gap persists in Minnesota, 2012) . Once again the government has failed to create equality amongst the population as they have allowed woman to be paid less. In the insurance sector, income gap is indeed widening. Male managers incomes rose by 2. 5 percent, whereas the same role maintained by females increased by only 1. 9 percent. Once again although it is low, females are still paid less than males portraying that the government, companies, and industry do not value gender equality. To clarify, gender inequality has been found to be inconspicuous because of the gender gap. Equally important is the fact that female unemployment is not only evident but is shown to be increasing. In the United States alone, the number of unemployed woman has sky rocketed by over the past 4 years these statistics show that not only are woman unemployed but that the unemployment rate is increasing at an alarming rate. According to the United States Bureau of Labor, since the June of 2012 â€Å"the unemployment rate for woman was 8 percent, up from 7 percent since 2009†. The data shows that rather than the unemployment rate decreasing and moving towards gender equality, gender inequality is actually increasing. According to statistics Canada, reports showing the number of people unemployed in the open labour market were female, specifically single mothers. These females composed 55 percent of the jobless population. This once again summarizes the idea that although females make up more than half of the workforce, they are still looked upon by some to be the â€Å"weaker link† and are in turn not rewarded correspondingly for their efforts. In short, gender inequality is found to be clear due to society’s ignorance, and prejudice against the female gender. In North America, the examination of unemployment issues has brought life to the once again increasing dilemma of gender inequality. Due to the increasing rise of gender inequality, it has been proven that the law did not solve it and is not the way to solve it. Instead, society has to come together, bring their humanity, and ask this question, is gender inequality ethical? Bibliography: * Few gains for women on executive ladder; road to success difficult in steel industry. (1997, April 1). www. galegroup. com. Retrieved November 25, 2012, from go. galegroup. com/ps/i. do? action=interpretamp;id=GALE%7CA19273100amp;v=2. 1amp;u=ko_k12hs_d48amp;it=ramp; * University Students Perceptions of Gender Discrimination in the Workplace: Reality Versus Fiction. (2009, July 1). www. Bigchalk. com. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from http://elibrary. igchalk. com/elibweb/curriculumca/do/document? set=searchamp;dictionaryClick=amp;secondaryNav=amp;groupid=1amp;requestid=lib_canadaamp;resultid=2amp;edition=amp;ts=C07D1C4A0B0241976166934259C33922_1354874002906amp;start=1amp;publicationId=amp;urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BB * Pay structure, female representation and the gender pay gap among university professors/Structure salariale, representation feminine et ecar ts de remuneration selon le genre chez les professeurs duniversite/Estructura salarial, representacion femenina y . n. d. ). www. galegroup. com. Retrieved November 24, 2012, from go. galegroup. com/ps/retrieve. do? sgHitCountType=Noneamp;sort=DA-SORTamp;inPS=trueamp;prodId=GPSamp;userGroupName=ko_k12hs_d48amp;tabID=T002amp;searchId=R10amp;resultListType=RESULT_LISTamp;contentSegment=amp;searchType=BasicSearchForm ¤tPosition=1amp;contentSet=GALE%7CA284937847amp;amp; * An act to promote equal pay for female employees. (n. d. ). www. Websiteofrights. com. Retrieved November 20,

Poem Analysisi Essay Example For Students

Poem Analysisi Essay In Emily Dickinsons lyrical poem Theres a certain slant of light she describes a revelation that is experienced on cold winter afternoons. Further she goes to say that this revelation of self oppresses, like the Heft of Cathedral Tunes and causes Heavenly Hurt, yet does not scare for it is neither exterior nor permanent. This only leaves it to be an internal feeling, and according to Dickinson that is where all the Meanings lie. Theres no way for this feeling to be explained, all that is known is that it is the Seal Despair, and an imperial affliction. These descriptions have a rather powerful connotation in showing the oppressive nature of his sentiment. There is an official mark of despair and an imperial affliction which is above and beyond the norm. The severity of this feeling is so powerful that even nature seems to stop; in fact the whole world comes to a halt. But when it is over it seems that nothing happened, a glimpse of death. There is no dramatic situation that occurs in the poem. It is a description of a somber feeling that comes from nowhere and leaves without a trace. The poem is written in the third person, referring to it, the feeling. It remains in that point of view throughout the entire poem. The use of figurative language in the poem allows Emily Dickenson to create a feeling that attaches the reader to the poetry, by tying it to an experience that the reader might have had. It also allows her to set the mood of the poem. By looking at the first two lines it may seem cheerful because it speaks of light in Winter Afternoon, however the simile in the third line quickly changes the tone. That oppresses, like the Heft of Cathedral Tunes. It has a very heavy feeling derived from the word Heft as well as Cathedral Tunes. The Cathedral is considered sacred yet it is such as somber sound that it could easily affect a persons mood. The use of paradoxes in the poem creates a sense of confusion about the true feelings about the revelation. Heavenly Hurt is both wonderful and horrible and suggests that the pain comes from the heavens. This suggestion is support in various situations throughout the poem. Cathedral Tunes and Sent us of the Air are the prime examples. It shows that thi s new realization may have been from a divine being therefore the reader is confused on its significance because it perhaps a type of gift. Landscapes Listen Shadowshold their breathe is the personification used in the poem. This personification in the work shows that a divine being has arranged for this revelation to occur therefore, all of nature will halt to the being who has been selected to find this new piece of themselves. She also uses a bit of irony as well as parallel structure to set the scene in the poem. The revelation is brought out in the light of an wintery afternoon, this is the parallel yet it oppressive and dark which is ironic because the light brought with it such darkness. Another form of figurative language that is used is alliteration on the part of the hard ds such as death, distance, and despair and hs such as heft, heavenly, and hurt. These sounds give the poem a hard, heavy sound. Also she capitalizes certain words all throughout the poem because she wants to draw attention to these powerful words that Dickinson wants the reader to remember after the poem is done. Theres a certain slant of light does not follow a set meter. It is written in a rhyming fashion. Stanzas one, two and three all have ABCB rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a very easy flow, through such a rough subject. The last stanza is written in ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem allows the reader to connect with the feeling. It makes the reader analyze his own feelings. The poem is a very deep and shows how along the road of life there will be instances in which the world seems to be coming to an end. The poem suggests that this occurs due to divine intervention and there

Any Given Sunday essays

Any Given Sunday essays On any given Sunday youre going to win or lose. The point is-can you win or lose like a man? This quotation from Oliver Stones Any Given Sunday is not only responsible for the films title; it relates to the movies theme of what it means to be a man. Unfortunately, Stone does not introduce a new masculinity but instead reinforces the manufactured consent of power relations between men that is hegemonic masculinity. Any Given Sunday is the story of a fictional football team (Miami Sharks) that is struggling after several losses and team conflicts to make a comeback with a rookie quarterback. Although the film criticizes the roles of class and race in football, it still supports masculine stereotypes through its comparisons between football and war, its limited character development of female roles, and sympathetic portrayal of Coach DAmatos classic masculinity. The opening scenes of Any Given Sunday dramatize action on the football field, offering obvious comparisons to fighting on a battlefield during a war. Players move in slow motion, grunting, their helmets clanking, and the sounds of colliding bodies echo. Players bark insults and threats at their opponents before knocking them to the ground and injuring them to the point that doctors have to carry them off the field in stretchers. Meanwhile, thousands of fans sit in the stands, cheering loudly as their team gives an opponent a concussion or rips out an opponents eye. Throughout the film, the football games are portrayed in a battle-like manner with a similar sense of drama. Players continue to severely injure each other while coaches and the audience encourage them to keep playing to the death. For example, after numerous concussions, the doctor tells the second string quarterback he could be putting his life on the line if he continues to play. Wh...

Response Essay Samples Can Make Writing An Essay Easier And More Enjoyable

Response Essay Samples Can Make Writing An Essay Easier And More EnjoyableResponse essay samples can make writing an essay easier and more rewarding for anyone who needs to write a paper for school. They are also easy to use and quick to start using to try out and see if they work for you. They will also allow you to start writing an essay and not worry about some of the frustrations that come with having to write in a hurry.One of the best parts about response essay samples is that they are more personal to you than typical essays. You can take what you like about other people's essay and use it to help you with yours. These can be used for your essay, first drafts, or even just for personal use. This is good because you get to work on what really matters to you.Response essay samples come in all shapes and sizes and some can be very long, while others are short and concise. It is important to make sure that you choose an essay that is specific to your own personal circumstances. Fo r example, you may need to compose an essay about something you have never seen or done before.Other times you may want to write a personal essay and that may include writing about a family member or friend. This way you will not have to explain things you already know, which makes it much easier.It is also good to see what your essay looks like after you finish it and this can be done by reading the final version and seeing how it comes together. This will help you work on ideas and angles before actually writing your essay. It is a good idea to take a second look at your essay and see how it works before you actually start writing.When you are trying out essay samples, you may notice a few things to focus on when writing your own response. These include using the keywords and sentence structure that you are trying to accomplish with your essay. Other than that, it is important to focus on the point that you want to make.Overall, response essay samples are great to get started writ ing your own essay. They can help you through the process and make it easier and more fun.

Battle of Gazala in World War II

Battle of Gazala in World War II The Battle of Gazala was fought May 26 to June 21, 1942, during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II (1939-1945). Despite having been thrown back in late 1941, General Erwin Rommel began pushing east across Libya early the following year. Responding, Allied forces constructed a fortified line at Gazala which extended south from the Mediterranean coast. On May 26, Rommel opened operations against this position by attempting to flank it from the south with the goal of trapping Allied forces near the coast. In nearly a month of fighting, Rommel was able to shatter the Gazala line and send the Allies retreating back into Egypt. Background In the wake of Operation Crusader in late 1941, General Erwin Rommels German and Italian forces were compelled to retreat west to at El Agheila. Assuming a new position behind a strong line of fortifications, Rommels Panzer Army Afrika was not attacked by British forces under General Sir Claude Auchinleck and Major General Neil Ritchie. This was largely due to the British need to consolidate their gains and build a logistical network after an advance of over 500 miles. Largely pleased with the offensive, the two British commanders had succeeded in relieving the siege of Tobruk (Map). Major General Neil Ritchie (center) addressing other officers in North Africa, May 31, 1942. Public Domain As a result of the need to improve their supply lines, the British reduced their frontline troop strength in the area of El Agheila. Probing the Allied lines in January 1942, Rommel found little opposition and began a limited offensive east. Retaking Benghazi (January 28) and Timimi (February 3), he pushed on towards Tobruk. Rushing to consolidate their forces, the British formed a new line west of Tobruk and extending south from Gazala. Beginning at the coast, the Gazala line extended 50 miles south where it was anchored on the town of Bir Hakeim. To cover this line, Auchinleck and Ritchie deployed their troops in brigade-strength boxes which were linked by barbed wire and minefields. The bulk of the Allied troops were placed near the coast with progressively fewer as the line extended into the desert. The defense of Bir Hakeim was assigned to a brigade of the 1st Free French Division. As the spring progressed, both sides took time to resupply and refit. On the Allied side, this saw the arrival of new General Grant tanks which could match the German Panzer IV as well as improvements in coordination between the Desert Air Force and troops on the ground. Rommels Plan Assessing the situation, Rommel devised a plan for a sweeping flank attack around Bir Hakeim designed to destroy the British armor and cut off those divisions along the Gazala Line. To execute this offensive, he intended the Italian 132nd Armored Division Ariete to assault Bir Hakeim while the 21st and 15th Panzer Divisions swung around the Allied flank to attack their rear. This maneuver would be supported by the 90th Light Afrika Division Battle Group which was to move around the Allied flank to El Adem to block reinforcements from joining the battle. Fast Facts: Battle of Gazala Conflict: World War II (1939-1945)Dates: May 26-June 21, 1942Armies Commanders:AlliesGeneral Sir Claude AuchinleckMajor General Neil Ritchie175,000 men, 843 tanksAxisGeneral Erwin Rommel80,000 men, 560 tanksCasualties:Allies: approx. 98,000 men killed, wounded, and captured as well as around 540 tanksAxis: approx. 32,000 casualties and 114 tanks Fighting Begins To complete the attack, elements of the Italian XX Motorized Corps and 101st Motorized Division Trieste were to clear a path through the minefields north of Bir Hakeim and near the Sidi Muftah box to supply the armored advance. To hold Allied troops in place, the Italian X and XXI Corps would assault the Gazala Line near the coast. At 2:00 PM on May 26, these formations moved forward. That night, Rommel personally led his mobile forces as they began the flanking maneuver. Almost immediately the plan began to unravel as the French mounted a vigorous defense of Bir Hakeim, repelling the Italians (Map). A short distance to the southeast, Rommels forces were held up for several hours by the 7th Armoured Divisions 3rd Indian Motor Brigade. Though they were forced to withdraw, they inflicted heavy losses on the attackers. By midday on the 27th, the momentum of Rommels attack was faltering as British armor entered the battle and Bir Hakeim held out. Only the 90th Light had clear success, over-running the 7th Armoured Divisions advance headquarters and reaching the El Adem area. As fighting raged over the next several days, Rommels forces became trapped in an area known as The Cauldron (Map). Turning the Tide This area saw his men trapped by Bir Hakeim to the south, Tobruk to the north, and the minefields of the original Allied line to the west. Under constant assault by Allied armor from the north and east, Rommels supply situation was reaching critical levels and he began to contemplate surrender. These thoughts were erased when early on May 29 supply trucks, supported by the Italian Trieste and Ariete Divisions, breached the minefields north Bir Hakeim. Able to re-supply, Rommel attacked west on May 30 to link up with the Italian X Corps. Destroying the Sidi Muftah box, he was able to split the Allied front in two. On June 1, Rommel dispatched the 90th Light and Trieste divisions to reduce Bir Hakeim, but their efforts were repulsed. At the British headquarters, Auchinleck, fueled by overly-optimistic intelligence assessments, pushed Ritchie to counterattack along the coast to reach Timimi. Rather than oblige his superior, Ritchie instead focused on covering Tobruk and reinforcing the box around El Adem. On June 5 a counterattack did move forward, but Eighth Army made no progress. That afternoon, Rommel decided to attack east towards Bir el Hatmat and north against the Knightsbridge Box. Italian Ariete Division tanks at the Battle of Gazala, June 10, 1942. Public Domain The former succeeded in overrunning the tactical headquarters of two British divisions leading to a breakdown of command and control in the area. As a result, several units were severely beaten through the afternoon and on June 6. Continuing to build strength in the Cauldron, Rommel conducted several attacks on Bir Hakeim between June 6 and 8, significantly reducing the French perimeter. By June 10 their defenses had been shattered and Ritchie ordered them to evacuate. In a series of attacks around the Knightsbridge and El Adem boxes on June 11-13, Rommels forces dealt the British armor a severe defeat. After abandoning Knightsbridge on the evening of the 13, Ritchie was authorized to retreat from the Gazala Line the next day. With Allied forces holding the El Adem area, the 1st South African Division was able to retreat along the coast road intact, though the 50th (Northumbrian) Division was forced to attack south into the desert before turning east to reach friendly lines. The boxes at El Adem and Sidi Rezegh were evacuated on June 17 and the garrison at Tobruk was left to defend itself. Though ordered to hold a line west of Tobruk at Acroma, this proved unfeasible and Ritchie began a long retreat back to Mersa Matruh in Egypt. Though Allied leaders expected Tobruk to be able to hold out for two or three months on existing supplies, it was surrendered on June 21. Captured Allied soldiers march out of Tobruk, June 1942. Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-785-0294-32A / Tannenberg / CC-BY-SA 3.0 Aftermath The Battle of Gazala cost the Allies around 98,000 men killed, wounded, and captured as well as around 540 tanks. Axis losses were approximately 32,000 casualties and 114 tanks. For his victory and the capture of Tobruk, Rommel was promoted to field marshal by Hitler. Assessing the position at Mersa Matruh, Auchinleck decided to abandon it in favor of a stronger one at El Alamein. Rommel assaulted this position in July but made no progress. A final effort was made the Battle of Alam Halfa in late August with no results.