...Mason Floyd ENGL 2220 Dr. Rhonda Sanford 7 November 2012 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: The Role of Honor Honor has ancient roots in the history of man, but few periods from our past stand in comparison to medieval times. During this time of kings and castles stood a value system spawned out of the sheer and intense belief of honor. Geoffrey Chaucer’s Sir Gawain and the Green Knight excellently encapsulates this immense respect for an honorable and noble lifestyle. Chaucer endowed English literature of the time with foundation and became a fore-father of English poetry. “Chaucer was the first to conceive of poetry in English not as the product of an isolated, provincial nation located in an obscure corner of Europe but as a vital agent in the fourteenth-century emergence of the vernacular as a literary language” (Simon pg. 657). In each of the four fitts composing Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, one can easily interpret that Chaucer’s writing is developed on the basis of honor and a chivalrous approach to life. It takes no time in reading through the beginning of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to notice the relevance and importance of honor in the culture encompassing King Arthur’s time. While preparing to feast, King Arthur, his knights, and numerous other respectable individuals of the kingdom are seated not at random nor by age, but by honor. It seems as if an individual’s seat at this dinner, through honor, represents their social status in the...
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...The Legend of King Arthur is timeless. It is the story of a great king who accomplished much and continues to be an inspiration. There have been many works of literature written about him, as well as movies and plays. The origins of the legend are not completely known, but some of the earlier recorded works include Pearl-Poet's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur. By analyzing ancient British paganism and Christianity, one can see how they each influenced the creation of the legend of King Arthur to make it the well known story many know and love today. It begins with pagans, the ancient Britons- the Aryans. Pagans are considered the people who had their own local religions as opposed to Christianity....
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...The comparison between Bill Clinton and King Arthur are quite similar. By similar I mean that they can relate in some ways. For example, Both king Arthur’s and Bill Clinton’s father both work for the government. King Arthur, father(Uther Pendragon) position was to be the king of Camelot.There are many things that we could relate King Arthur and Bill Clinton. But there are three main ways why they are similar. One of the three notorious reasons why they are similar is because they both have a record of stopping the danger’s before something really bad happens. An example would be Bill Clinton has the lowest crime rate over 26 years because of harsh violation, more police force, and smart tactical skills. Same goes with King Arthur, A lot...
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...Spain in search of glory and grand adventure. He gives up food, shelter, and comfort, all in the name of a peasant woman, Dulcinea del Toboso, whom he envisions as a princess. On his second expedition, Don Quixote becomes more of a bandit than a savior, stealing from and hurting baffled and justifiably angry citizens while acting out against what he perceives as threats to his knighthood or to the world. Don Quixote abandons a boy, leaving him in the hands of an evil farmer simply because the farmer swears an oath that he will not harm the boy. He steals a barber’s basin that he believes to be the mythic Mambrino’s helmet, and he becomes convinced of the healing powers of the Balsam of Fierbras, an elixir that makes him so ill that, by comparison, he later feels healed. Sancho stands by Don Quixote, often bearing the brunt of the punishments that arise from Don Quixote’s behavior. The story of Don Quixote’s deeds includes the stories of those he meets on his journey. Don Quixote witnesses the funeral of a student who dies as a result of his love for a disdainful lady turned shepherdess. He frees a wicked and devious galley slave, Gines de Pasamonte, and unwittingly reunites two bereaved couples, Cardenio and Lucinda, and Ferdinand and Dorothea. Torn...
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...Comparison and Contrast: Medieval Characteristics Heroes of the Ages ENG 106: Survey of Literary Masterpieces Kelly Victor Phoenix University Online Heroes of the Ages Literature is full of adventurous heroes from the classical to medieval periods. Heroes are symbolic to the beliefs, culture, and nation in which they live. The classical hero and medieval hero will be the focus of this essay. Three great heroes from the early classic to medieval periods are Beowulf, Achilles, and Sir Gawain. The paper will look at the similarities and differences of literary heroes in order to discover how heroes changed over time. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are romantic heroes full of bravery, loyalty, humility, courage, and virtue. Beowulf and Sir Gawain were both involved in battles of great magnitude and admired for their super human strength. Both of them battle with the intent to bring honor to the King: Sir Gawain to honor King Arthur and Beowulf to honor Hrothgar. The battles they fight are against good and evil, “Grendel is a shepherd of evil” and the Green Knight represents pre- Christian tribal paganism. The custom of the time period was to keep their word and honor the one who helped them rise to knighthood. Beowulf kept his word as seen in the poem as he returns from the adventures and presents all his gifts to Hygelac as a sign of loyalty (line 2145). Sir Gawain keeps his word with Lord Bertilak, by agreeing to exchange their winnings at the end of each...
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...perpetually treated as something strange, mysterious, awe-inspiring; not to be lightly spoken of” (King Arthur). This relic is a symbol or metaphor that came from medieval story tellers (Borg). The word “Grail” is derived from the Latin word “gradalis”, signifying a step-by-step descent (O’neal). It is thought of as source of healing, inspiration, and vision. Some say that Joseph of Arimethea knew the secrets...
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...“By portraying the perfect, Arthurian literature exposes the contemporary imperfect.” In the light of this statement, explore the ways in which Malory, Tennyson and Monty Python present chivalry. Chivalry is the preconceived moral code by which medieval knights would behave. As the 18th century critic Richard Hurd acknowledges, chivalric knights would demonstrate ‘their romantic ideas of justice; their passion for adventures; their eagerness to run succour of the distressed and the pride they took in redressing wrongs and removing grievances’. Throughout the works of Sir Thomas Malory, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Monty Python, this definition of chivalry remains constant, although with a particular focus on the tropes of physical prowess, superhuman endurance in combat and dutiful respect of ladies. However, as Leigh Hunt remarked of Tennyson’s Idylls of the King, the poem ‘treats the modes and feelings of one generation in the style of another’. I would argue that, in fact, this applies directly to all three writers. Malory presents the reader with an earthy, realistic, yet anachronistic representation to demonstrate the worth of such ideals in a country wrought with decline and chaos during the Wars of the Roses. Tennyson idealizes this knightly conduct: this glamorization of chivalry functions as a model which, for Tennyson, reflects the applauded propriety of Prince Albert and other Victorian gentry. Monty Python, in tune with the 1960/70s synonymous with the radical...
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...Legends may be told upon topics of historical importance. It is not an explanation of something nor a symbolic narrative, they're based on an event. Examples of myths and legends It is a Greek myth that Prometheus stole fire from Zeus, the chief god, and gave it to humans so that they could keep themselves warm. To punish him, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock where his liver was eaten by an eagle every day but grew again every night. There is nothing to prove it and we do not even have a time frame to show so it is a myth. A common contemporary myth is that a cat crossing the road in front of you brings bad luck. This is a myth as it not based on any solid evidence and is an unproven thing. Stories of heroes like Robin Hood and King Arthur are related to a certian time period and hence they are legends. Proof Myths are often stories of...
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...written in Spenserian stanza, stanzas of nine iambic lines; the first eight are pentameters and the ninth is hexameter with the rhyme scheme ababbcbcc. 2. The term Renaissance translates into “rebirth”. This was a great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe; marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world. The Renaissance began in Europe around 1390; this was around the same time of the Canterbury Tales. The Renaissance did not begin in England until1485. It was so late coming to England because of the civil war due to the “power struggle” between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. This Civil War was called the War of the Roses. The two houses fought until they killed each other off and in 1485, King Henry took crown and this was the beginning of the Tudor Dynasty. England finally had a level of peace allowing its people to acknowledge and then take part in this renewal of life, vigor, and interest. 3. The difference in doctrine between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism is particularly that Catholics believe that once you are saved you can go to heaven, even if you are saved moments upon death. The Protestants strongly disagree and argue that the only way to be redeemed is through having faith, not through Catholic indulgences and the Catholic priest, etc. Protestants believed that the Catholics’ views that were not in the bible were...
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...The most obvious comparison is the dilemma that is faced in each. In Lanval, the mistress provides Lanval with gifts and brings him happiness. She said she will continue to do this if he keeps their relationship a secret and if he doesn’t then she will never seem him again. At the end he reveals their secret, however, she still rescues him because she is charmed with him. This is seen in the story on page 4 when she says “Lanval," she said, “my friend, my dear, I left my lands to come where you are; To find you I have come so far! Be valiant and courtly in everything, and no emperor, count or king Ever had joy or blessings above you; For, more than any thing, I love you." The fairy is very ambiguous and mysterious, but is not shy about her feelings towards Lanval the knight. The author wants us to realize the misfortune that such a deep special love will always be at odds with the world, that is devoted to society. Truly this world is an unpleasant place, where lies can define your future. This is why the fairy mistress asked to keep their love a secret, so that the world won’t be able to ruin it. This contrasts with The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell, Sir Gawain pledged his loyalty to King Arthur when he decided to marry Dame Ragnell the hideous women who saves the king’s life. At the end of the story, Dame Ragnell gives him an ultimatum that...
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...Chapter I Introduction Brotherhood or brethren had been an essence key for changes in the human world since time can tell. It has been in many forms in the past like the knights of the round table of king Arthur, the mason of the western world and some cults. Today in the present day brotherhood or brethren is still present, in the forms of fraternities. Fraternities or in Greek means brotherhood of male college students. In this study we can know or define the moral and social values of fraternity members. Statement of the Problem This study would be conducted to know that Joining fraternities affects the moral and -social values of its members. Specifically this study aims to answer the following questions: 1. What Moral values do they get? 2. What Social values do they attain? 3. Is there a hazing or physical contact to people who wants to join? 4. What kind of brotherhood are they? 5. Who is initiating the people who want to join? 6. How many members are still active? Significance of the study This study will try to find out that joining fraternities affects the moral and social values of its members especially college students. The period of research is from July 23 to August 31 of 2012. Audio interviews would be recorded in order for the researcher to record data or answers that would be able to give a light to the study. The research would be able to give a brighter meaning of fraternities in the society of today. It would also...
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...Blacks World Spotlight: on the International Stage in the 1920s During World War I the United States bought nearly 200,000 African-American soldiers to France. Majority of the African American soldiers were from the southern region of the United States of America. Many Blacks stayed after the war, generating a permanent Black population in France. The ending of the First World War also marked the beginning of the New Negro Movement or Harlem Renaissance in the United States. During this time African Americans emerged as talented, creative intellectuals leaving their footprint on 1920s America. While much focus of the New Negro Movement is centered in the United States, it indeed was an international affair. The purpose of this research is to examine how a number of African Americans launched their creative debut from the international stage of Paris, France. Additional focus will center on black artists turning to Africa as a source and facture in the art. Last but not least, the effort of Author Schomburg to collect and house international works about blacks will be addressed. Utterly intrigued by African Americans and thoroughly consumed with their talents, the French displayed a respect for Blacks unseen in the United States. While a great number of African-American soldiers remain in Paris, many journeyed back to the United States. Those soldiers certainly were not greeted by change. The United States remained the same racially tensed nation. If there was any change, it...
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...Final Essay Don J . Brinning ETH-125 September 2, 2012 Monica Hahn Final Essay Since taking this class, I not had any access to any previously unknown life altering revelations of information; in reality, what I have learned is exactly how badly the dominant group has treated all of the minority groups over the years. I know that the United States was founded on a long tradition of violence, slavery, and genocide toward any group that they could get away with subjugating; what I was surprised by was how groups that I had always thought were part of the majority (French, Irish, Italian, and so forth) were initially discriminated against early on and had to ‘pay their dues’ in order to be awarded membership in the dominant culture. This information does not change my understanding or relation of others, as I have always prided myself on treating people as people and ignoring things like race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The main thing that the material in this course has taught me is that I should be even more embarrassed by the cretins further up in my family tree when I look at myself in the mirror in the morning, and more dedicated to making up for the (assumed) transgressions of my ancestors by not allowing any prejudice or discrimination enter my own thought process or actions. Immigration trends are currently increasing the amount of minority residents in the United States, in particular those from Latin America or those with Hispanic backgrounds...
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...Shlok Kumar Professor Padma Baliga English Literature Upto 1900 13 September 2010 The Canterbury Tales and the Panchatantra: Two Frame Narratives contrasted The East has a wonderful tradition in teaching morals through interesting tales; India has given the world the earliest such tales in the form of the Panchatantra, the Hitopadesa and even the Puranas. The Canterbury Tales and the Panchatantra are both frame narratives- often known as ‘story within a story.’ Yet the target audience of both these works is different. And this arises from the nature of these works. Whilst The Canterbury Tales was written by Chaucer originally for a courtly, upper class audience, the Panchatantra was written to teach the high morals and sensibilities of Vedic literature to three disinterested princes in the simplest language, using animals as symbols and characters. Indeed, the Panchatantra and its derivative work, the Hitopadesa are often dismissed as stories for children. Though these fables are indeed vastly instructive, they also teach a way of thriving in the material world and a way of life itself; the Panchatantra is referred to as a niti-shastra. This paper attempts to contrast the Canterbury Tales with the Panchatantra and illustrate the manner in which the latter is a niti-shastra without being merely populated by abstruse, pithy phrases. We know that in The Canterbury Tales, a group of about 30 pilgrims gather at the Tabard Inn in Southwark, across the Thames...
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... (Redirected from The tempest) This article is about the Shakespeare play. For other uses, see The Tempest (disambiguation). The shipwreck in Act I, Scene 1, in a 1797 engraving by Benjamin Smith after a painting by George Romney The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place using illusion and skilful manipulation. He conjures up a storm, the eponymous tempest, to lure his usurping brother Antonio and the complicit King Alonso of Naples to the island. There, his machinations bring about the revelation of Antonio's lowly nature, the redemption of the King, and the marriage of Miranda to Alonso's son, Ferdinand. There is no obvious single source for the plot of The Tempest, but researchers have seen parallels in Erasmus's Naufragium, Peter Martyr's De orbe novo, and eyewitness reports by William Strachey and Sylvester Jordain of the real-life shipwreck of the Sea Venture on the islands of Bermuda, and the subsequent conflict between Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers. In addition, one of Gonzalo's speeches is derived from Montaigne's essay Of the Canibales, and much of Prospero's renunciative speech is taken word for word from a speech by Medea in Ovid's poem Metamorphoses. The masque in Act 4 may have been a later addition...
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