Geoffrey Chaucer, born in 1342, gained major recognition for his work on The Canterbury Tales. This book of poetry involves a collection of Tales of pilgrims going on a journey to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket, as was a tradition at that time. Chaucer’s pilgrims represent people belonging to all the levels of status in the society of 14th century. Chaucer does not discriminate with his characters; rather presents a characteristically true picture of them. His presentation of characters is…
Katherine Anne Porter’s famous short story “Flowering Judas” follows a women named Laura who is being courted by a man named Braggioni. The story itself uses symbolic meaning with flowers and religious symbols . With every event taking place in her house the reader feels the isolation with her. in Katherine Anne Porter “Flowering Judas the themes, author styles and literary devices all make the story more enjoyable to read. In Katherine Anne Porter’s “ Flowering Judas” the theme of Ideals vs…
“You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock”(Fitzgerald 98). This famous quote is one of many ways that F. Scott Fitzgerald used colors in his popular novel The Great Gatsby. Color symbolism is a branch of the Archetypal lense that uses colors to describe different people and their personalities throughout literature. Colors, including green, yellow, white, and red are used to symbolise hope, caution, innocence, and anger through what people see, the cars they…
Gawain and the Green Knight was created back in the late 14th century. We witness much of the culture that was featured during that time, in this story such as knights, kings, magic etc. In this story we witness a self-depreciating knight of the round table embark on a journey to keep his dare that he agreed to. Clearly, as the story transitions from the beginning of the story to the end of the story we see Sir Gawain go through countless trials throughout the story, and he ends up learning…
anding theme in the story. It represents the ideal qualities of a medieval knight during the 1300-1400s, the values of chivalry are including loyalty, courage, justice, mercy, faith...and in this poem, it specifically determines the values and actions of Sir Gawain and other characters. These ideals of chivalry are carried together in Gawain’s shield and the pentangle which represents the five virtues of knights.Gawain’s faithfulness to these virtues is tested throughout his journey. He keeps…
Miguel de Cervantes’ universally known work, Don Quixote of the Mancha, uses zany characters and outrageous adventures to comment on the old art of chivalry and its absence from contemporary society. The protagonist of the tale, Don Quixote, and his squire, Sancho Panza, venture 17th century Spain following the codes of chivalry, as any Knight-errant should. Chivalry values loyalty, self-control, perseverance, generosity, respect, and honor. Though he cherishes chivalry, Don Quixote, ironically…
Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte Darthur tells of many adventures and stories from the Knights of the Round Table. Of those knights, readers are introduced to Sir Lancelot du Lac. Formally known as Galahad, Lancelot was the son of the French King Ban of Benwick and Elaine. When he was just a young boy, his mother left him for dead on the shore of a lake in the woods. There, he was taken in and raised by a magical goddess, known as the Lady of the Lake. She teaches Lancelot his amazing sword skills…
those who engaged in open warfare”. This hierarchy of competition to warfare provided a formalized separation of status which was further noted by their seat placement at the Christmas feast described by the Pearl Poet. Here he mentions “At the side-tables sat many stalwart knights”, these would have been the honored military men who had seen warfare and gained their reputation in battle. Perhaps the use of the caste system was a method for maintain order throughout the classes; however, as…
When one wants to talk about writing, a variety of tropes or motifs come to mind. When referring to early works or classic literature, one of the tropes that comes out the most is tragedy; the tragic hero trope more specifically. It seems that humans find enjoyment in writing or reading about the magnificent hero, a character that possesses incredible and noble qualities, a figure to admire. However, more often than not, said hero ends up experiencing a falling off, either disgrace or demise,…
In the Wife of Bath’s Tale, the knight appears to be somewhat different from Sir Gawain because he is a young lusty knight who is full of his own power. He abuses women and has no self control. He also appears very disrespectful. In other tales Sir Gawain is “the good night” and “most courteous”. One of the examples of Sir Gawain great character is him standing in for the King to challenge the green knight. Although his honor is tested every day with trails of suduction; he is able to…