Beowulf Epic Poem o a long, narrative poem written in an elevated style which celebrates the deeds of a legendary hero

or god Mechanics of Heroic Epic Poetry Departures Arrivals Feasting eating, drinking, singing Going to bed Getting up Dressing of the hero Boasting The Heroic Quest Myth Challenge Selection Calling Testing Descent into the underworld Apotheosis (immortality celebration of the hero) Anglo-Saxon Poetry Alliterative 2 half-lines divided by a caesura and linked through alliteration Kennings compound, metaphorical name for something, such as sea-road, whalepath, ring-giver, folk-friend, word-hoard Recited or sung by scops The Comitatus Code The heroic warrior code Thane loyalty, respect and defence Lord rewards and protection Mutual respect between lords and thanes Offering assistance to those who assisted you Wergild man-price Narrative Structure In medias res Grendel already haunting Heorot when the epic poem begins 1

Omniscient narrator - knows everything, yet addresses the reader/audience observes, comments on actions, thoughts and foreshadows events to come The fight with Grendel narrated from both points of view Funerals Scyld Scefings funeral set out to sea with treasure returned to the place he came from Beowulfs funeral funeral pyre Lays Short poems embedded in the main narrative Didactic function showing up good or bad character, telling the reader how to interpret events, e.g. story of Heremod - how not to behave as a king the story of Hildeburgh is paralleled with the story of Freawars (Hrothgars daughter) both Danish princesses betrothed to foreign princes for the purpose of ending a blood feud Weapons and Ancient Treasures Weapons have their own names ("Hrunting / Naegelung) and histories. Riches, especially gold, highly esteemed Hrothgar amply rewards Beowulf for his deeds with gold, jewellery and horses. Gifts - enhance reputations, used as objects of personal esteem or status symbols. Not materialistic: Beowulf gives away virtually all of the rewards "Beowulf's gaze at the gold treasure/when he first saw it had not been selfish" (ll.30733074). No sense of greed, but merely to behold its magnificence - a reflection of having fulfilled the role of protecting his people Vengeance & Blood Feuds Long-standing blood feuds with other nations and tribes Wergild After Beowulfs death: Wiglaf and messenger predict retaliatory attacks on the Geats Grendels Mother exacts revenge for her sons death Allegiance and Blood Ties Ancestry determines both the status and the very character of the individuals Beowulf identifies himself

first with his allegiance: "we belong by birth to the Geat people/and owe allegiance to Lord Hygelac" (ll.259-260) extended account of his own father's, Ecgtheow's, deeds and renown as a brave warrior Beowulf's allegiance to Hygelac is without qualification Hrothgar introduced via Scyld Scefing, his ancestor a good king in his own right Ancestry very important the poet must affirm his credentials Wiglaf an extended description of the deeds of Wiglaf's father, Weohstan his courage is attributed to the "inborn bravery" of being the last of Beowulf's kinsmen Grendel and His Mum Hrothgar : o "they are fatherless creatures/and their whole ancestry is hidden in a past/of demons and ghosts" (ll.1356-1358) outcasts from society cannot seek justice within society Honour and Reputation o "It is always better/to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning/For every one of us, living in this world/means waiting for our end. Let whoever can/win glory before his death/When a warrior is gone,/that will be his best and only bulwark" (1384-1389) constantly obliged to display courage failure to take up a challenge for fear of death is shameful, a cardinal sin. Beowulf's thoughts: on "his name and his fame" (l.1530). Wiglaf rebukes the cowardly youths who shied from the encounter at the final moment. Beowulfs unblemished reputation as a warrior moves him to act - most eager to win fame. o Arrogant in his youth: e.g. to meet Grendel in hand-to-hand combat without the benefit of weapons Hrothgar cautions the brash young Beowulf to beware of the trap of arrogance (cf. Heremod lay). Good and Evil a clear-cut moral division frequently expressed in polar contrasts between light/day and dark/night. Heorot - a place of brightness, a domain of shining gold ornaments and tapestries where humans enjoy comradeship, order and culture 3

Grendel, his mother and the dragon are nocturnal assailants Grendel is first described as "a powerful demon, a prowler through the dark" (l.86), and his lair beneath a boggy fen is devoid of light (light when B defeats GM) Pagan v. Christian Elements set "in days gone by" (l.1) Beowulf lived in the 6th century, pagan worship prevailed Fate, as opposed to divine judgment, remains a powerful force - most often associated with violence, cruelty and death scant references to the Old Testament (Grendel and his mum descended from Cain; The Flood) an eye for an eye / no turning the other cheek scene on cliff top (ll.2417-2509) Beowulf, 11 of his men + the thief or the traitor pagan beliefs in fate and personal prowess v. acknowledgements of an All Mighty power or God Hrothgars advisers - reliance upon God + pre-Christian rituals. o "sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed/offerings to idols, swore oaths/that the killer of souls might come to their aid/ and save the people" (ll.175-178) "Now Holy God/has, in His goodness, guided him here/to the West-Danes, to defend us from Grendel" (ll.384-385). "Almighty God rules over mankind/and always has" (ll. 699-700). (Christian) "all of us with souls, earth-dwellers/and children of men, must make our way/to a destination already ordained/where the body, after the banqueting/sleeps on its death bed" (ll.1004-1008) (pagan - implicit denial of an afterlife) "placed complete trust/in his strength of limb and the Lord's favour" (ll.669-670) Before last battle - pre-Christian mindset: "what occurs on the wall/between the two or us will turn out as fate/overseer of men, decides" (ll.2526-2528) Before death - Christian credo: he thanks the "everlasting Lord of all/to the King of Glory" for allowing him to view the slain Dragon's treasure before he dies (ll.2795-2796) Pagan funeral!!! Body burnt on pyre Remains buried in a mound on headland (tumulus) along with the treasure!!!

Topics for Discussion The role of women in Beowulf Compare Hrothgar and Beowulf Is Beowulf to blame for the collapse of his society? What is the moral of the poem?

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Anonymous (1400) The Manuscript Only one Dated no later than 1400 Three other poems: Pearl, Purity and Patience Gawain Poet or Pearl Poet Dialect: northwest Midlands of England Alliteration Long lines consisting of 2 half-lines Connected through alliteration o "Sithen the sege and the assaut was sesed at Troye" (l 1) Long lines do not rhyme 101 Stanzas 15 to 25 lines Bob and Wheel delight Good were their words of greeting; Each joyed in others sight Great peril attends that meeting Should Mary forget her knight. (ll. 1765-69) Rhyme scheme: ababa The Romance Genre 12th century France Conventions: Historical exposition setting and credentials Royal court (usually Arthurs, in the superlative ) Celebration (usually New Year chivalric society at its greatest) Lavish attention to detail (dressing, feasting etc) The desire for adventure Ending, celebrating virtues of knight (?)

Code of Chivalry (Christian Moral Code) Franchise Loyalty Fellowship Cleanness Courtesy 6

Charity Prowess Justice Defence Courage Faith Humility Largesse/Generosity Nobility Courtly Love Knight in service of Lady Allowed to show admiration irrespective of marital status Tokens as mementos immortalising the lover Love supposed to help the Knight on his quest Platonic but complications arise / Sir Lancelot and Guenevere. The Structure 4 Fitts (or Parts) o Part 1 o Part 2 o Part 3 o Part 4 -

society (court) perilous nature court / nature nature / court

Cyclical and symmetrical - ends and starts with a mythological genealogy Arthurs credentials Sir Gawain eager, optimistic, loyal undertakes challenge to protect Arthur and preserve the reputation of Camelot The epitome of chivalry "I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest; And the loss of my life would be least of any; That I have you for uncle is my only praise, My body, but for your blood, is barren of worth;" Gawains Shield Inner side - image of the Virgin - religious faith - inner protection Outer side - Pentangle the endless knot Seen as flawless - embodies Franchise, Fellowship, Cleanness, Courtesy, and Charity: "Forever faithful five-fold in five-fold fashion, Was Gawain in good works, as gold unalloyed 7

Devoid of all villainy, with virtues adorned" (ll. 632-4). Gawains Faith Faith in God wilderness and tests Christmas Eve - prays for a church to attend Mass - Hautdesert (Bercilaks castle) appears miraculously !? Christian faith and chivalric loyalty to Bercilak helps counter the sexual advances of Lady Bercilak Gawains Disillusionment fear of death defeats his chivalric values - understandable from a human perspective Gawain dwells upon his moral failing o First blames Morgan le Fay and Lady Bercilak - misogynistic outburst (ll. 24072428), o ultimately can only blame himself for his failure (cowardice and covetousness). Gawain's faith in himself and in a society which cannot see his moral failure is shattered The poet subtly questions the validity of societal and chivalric values, the strength of human nature The Green Knight Two guises: Green Knight / Lord Bercilak Static foil to dynamic Gawain Otherworldly, natural force intruding into Camelot Regenerative force, allied with Nature; above societal structures Mocks Arthurs Court (society) Lady Bercilak Static character a temptation for Gawain to break his chivalric duty to Lord Bercilak and to defile his virtue She challenges Gawain's chivalric sense of courtly love: would he not be dishonouring a noble lady by rejecting her requests for passion? Morgan le Fay Arthurs half-sister and nemesis Old and ugly highlights Gawains chivalry and courteousness Behind the whole scheme She guided me in this guise to your glorious hall, 8

To assay, if such it were, the surfeit of pride That is rumored of the retinue of the Round Table. She put this shape upon me to puzzle your wits, To afflict the fair queen, and frighten her to death (ll 2456-2460) Bedroom Scenes careful diplomatic arguments around and about the topic of courtly love and chivalry society attempting to constrain natural urge, lust While Bercilak hunts in perilous outdoors, she hunts Gawain in the safe bedroom blood lust v lust Hunting Hunting popular training in warfare for knights provided drama and excitement in peace time also reaffirmed social order a metaphor for amorous pursuit Sophisticated plot construction alternating hunt and castle scenes parallels poet communicates many emotional nuances Role reversal: man usually hunter, woman prey - in the bedroom reverse Day One The Doe Gawain cowering in bed, hiding from hunter A captive knight - pinned down and open inferences to them being all alone and offering her body (ll. 1225...) Test of SGs honour, wit and social skills must reject advances without offending The Slaughter Technique: catalogue LB not just generous showing off his ability to kill Gift is useless reminder of upcoming death Exchange: hinds for kiss does not divulge the source (chivalrous) Day Two: The Boar boldness and ferocity in combat SG bold meeting her at once Lady more aggressive constantly provoking him Gift Boars head reminder of beheading SGs gift: two kisses Seduction continues leaving SG confused 9

Day Three: The Fox Wily, cunning, sly and duplicitious LB uses her wiles (practically naked) to get him into bed SG cunningly avoids her trap and craftily answers so that he neither encourages nor offends her Love Tokens o Gawain rejects immortality o Ring material wealth - useless o Girdle love-lace rejects it at first Accepts it protect him from death Girdle= sword Lord throws at fox to confuse it Temptation Going back on his word to Lord hiding the girdle (cf. Thief!) Final temptation: guide run away, I wont tell! SG not a coward, bravery virtue as is keeping your word (?) The Return Stroke SG flinches GK tries SG to see if hell flinch again SG gets angry being mocked Third stroke nicks his neck only failing, loves his life, otherwise virtuous True Confession to GK The Green Girdle Seduced by primal instinct fear of death violates the agreement with his lord Gawain guided by nature, not by societal duty complicated, artificial world of human society reduced to the basic, primeval world of nature the societal code is merely a pretence which cannot always hold up The Heros Return What has SG learnt from his ordeal? How do the other knights react to his experience? How does SGs experience and knowledge foreshadow Camelots future? Christianity and Paganism Christian belief and pagan ritual mingle in intricate ways Christmas/New Year setting Celtic lore, year important cycle in human and natural world Samhain (Nov 1) period of limbo where the worlds meet 10

With Advent of Christianity moved to Christmas-New Year period Green Knight Celtic mythological figure o Bursts in on court during this limbo period Beheading game ritual slaying and renewal of the year Pagan significance - suggesting the regenerative quality of Nature and the turning of the year Challenge to Gawain: a year and a day Nature Nature overpowering - belittles the individual human Gawains faith in God saves him from destruction Religion can guide and rescue the human from the dangerous world around him Faith in God enables mankind to negotiate and survive the forces of Nature, both those natural forces outside and within him.

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The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer

The General Prologue The Pilgrimage Literary device forms the narrative frame Wide spectrum of society - various ranks and occupations Historical and sociological introduction to life in the Middle Ages

Pilgrims Characterised by: what they say (and what they dont) appearance what they do 29 pilgrims + Chaucer (pilgrim) + Harry Bailey Plan: 2 tales to Canterbury and 2 tales on return trip (120 tales only 22 + 2 fragments) Genre Estates satire analysis of society in terms of its hierarchy Each class or profession is described to show how it fails the ideal, implying a moral judgment Traditional division Three-fold division of medieval life & ideal figures in the General Prologue a. The military or those who fight (Knight) b. The clergy or those who pray (Parson) c. The laity or those who work (Plowman) Organization of portraits Narrator apologizes Al have I nat set folk in hir degree.(ll. 745-48): a. representatives of different recognizable groups b. Showing the interplay of the social relations and individual identity in the tales and the Frame Tale 12

c. d.

29 pilgrims (??) Not an ordered hierarchy, evident social climbing!

The opening...(ll. 1-42) Provides a physical setting Time: April (spring) end of 14th century - rebirth Place: England Tabbard Inn, London and 100km path to Canterbury (never reached) & motivation for Canterbury pilgrimage Religious - St Thomas Beckett Social group holiday and socialising Groups for safety purposes (highwaymen) Pilgrimage as a contemporary practice and spiritual ideal

The Aristocracy 1. The Knight* warrior, crusader; embodies courtly values has fought in every arena for Christendom comes right from the front; chain mail still rusty That fro the time that he first bigan/ To ridden out, he loved chivalrye, / Trouthe and honour, freedom and curteisye. ll. 44-46 And though that he were worthy, he was wis, / And of his port as meeke as is a maide./ He nevere yit no vilainye ne saide / in al his lif unto no manere wight; / He was a verray, parfit, gentil knight. ll 68-72 2. The Squier* Knight's son embodies the qualities of the typical romance hero In training - courtly and military arts Embrouded was he as it were a mede, / Al ful of fresshe flowers, white and rede; / Singing he was, or floiting, al the day: /He was as fresh as is the month of May. (ll. 89-92) 3. Yeoman knight's servant well armed a forester description focuses entirely on external attributes 13

4. The Prioresse* romance heroine disguised as a nun (Madame Eglantine) pretender to courtly life: table manners, bad French, lap dogs jewellery thinly disguised as devotional objects: Amor Vincit Omnia versus Caritas Vincit Omnia She was so charitable and so pitous / She wolde weep if that she saw a mous / Caught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. (ll. 143-145) Her Tale anti-Semitic (usual at time)

5. The Monk* hunter; country gentleman on pilgrimage parallels Prioress: courtly values a manly man (167) and a fish that is waterlees (180) narrator likes him: I seyde his opinion was good (183) He breaks all four monastic vows: a. Poverty b. Obedience to the Rule (Regula) c. Stability: he doesn't remain cloistered d. Chastity: priketh, venerie, love knot 6. The Friar Huberd* violation of his vows, a great guy poor/chaste: wantoune and a merye (208) associates with local women and taverners monetary religion for profit He hadde maad ful many a mariage / Of yonge wommen at his owene cost ll. 212-213 And over al ther as profit sholde arise, / Curteis he was, and lowely of servise ll. 249-50 His yn twinkled in his heed aright /As doon the sterres in the frosty night. ll. 269-70 (spiritually dead) The Middle Class and Other Social Climbers 7. The Merchant perfectly anonymous, ambiguous portrait I noot how men hym calle (l. 286) import-export trader in wool; sharp businessman presents himself as wealthy and successful, but This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette /Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette / So statly was he of his governaunce(ll. 281-3) 14

8. The Clerk ideal portrait perfect student; bookish, pious large library - prays for those who enable his study Nought oo word spak he more than was neede, / And that was said in forme and reverence,/ And short and quik, and ful of heigh sentence: / Souning in moral vertu was his speeche, / And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche. ll.306-10 (moral virtue) 9. Sergeant of Lawe great concern for appearances; he seemed swich (l. 315) only 20 or so of his rank in the country; all judges drawn from this group superlatives: highly self-conscious presentation ability with language (drafting documents) Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas; / And yit he seemed bisier than he was. ll. 323-25 10. The Frankelain landed gentry - acquired land Santa Claus figure gastronomic vocabulary: his farm is set up so that he can eat well For he was Epicurus owene sone,/That heeld opinion that plein delit / Was verray felicitee parfit. /An housholdere and that a greet was he:/ Saint Julian he was in his contree. ll. 33842 11. the Guildsmen four clothworkers (haberdasher, weaver, dyer, a tapestry maker) and a carpenter members of parish guilds And they were clothed alle in oo liveree / Of a solempne and greet fraternitee. ll. 365-66 seeking social and economic advancement; wives' motives revealed they like to be called Madam and have certain privileges 12. The Cook accompanies guildsmen cooks usually not included in Estates Satire defined by his professional skill later called Roger (Hodge) of Ware

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He coude roste, and seethe, and broil, and frye, / Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pie. / But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me, / That on his shine a mormal hadde he, / For blankmanger, that made he with the beste. ll. 385-89 13. the Shipman "a good felawe," applies also to Summoner and his partners in crime expert seaman; knows all the harbours, ports, tides, and currents of the entire Mediterranean basin thievery, piracy, mass murder Of nice conscience took he no keep l. 400 14. The Doctour of Physik socially, expect to be grouped with the Sgt. of Law and Merchant, but astronomical references tie him to Shipman He knew the cause of every maladye,/ were it of hoot or cold or moiste or drye, / And where engendred and of what humour: / He was a verray parfit praktisour. ll. 421-24; theory of humours) profit minded; healing not an end but a means (cf. Black Plague) in cahoots with the apothecaries (427-30) In al this world ne was there noon him lik / To speken of physik and of surgerye. / For he was grounded in astronomye ll. 414-15 15. the Wife of Bath* larger than life: scarlet stockings, red face homiletically fits the 7 Deadly Sins; but 3 pilgrimages to Jerusalem skills in clothmaking, middle man between weavers and exporters husbands are her specialty (5 husbands) and the old dance In felaweshipe wel coude she laughe and carpe: / Of remedies of love she knew parchaunce, / For she coude of that art the olde daunce. ll. 476-78 Lower Classes Rascals and Ruffians, and Other Depraved Persons 16. The Parson reformist, idealized figure devout, simple, pious; double portrait: by looking at what he does we can see the negative image, the shiten shepherd, who (506) 16

a. b. c. d. e.

Excommunicates for non-payment of tithes Expects wealth Neglects pastoral duties Rents out his position and takes a chantry Flatters his superiors

But riche he was of holy thought and werk, / He was also a lerned man, a clerk, / That Christes gospel trewely wolde preche; / His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. ll. 481-84 17. The Plowman Parson's brother physically and spiritually an ideal portrait contrast: clean shepherd and dung smeared farmer portrays life of a good Christian: true never pretends to be more than he is Living in pees and parfit charitee. / God loved he best with al his hoole herte / At alle times, though him gamed or smerte, / And thanne his neighebor right as himselve. ll.534-37 18. The Miller* undeniable physical presence stout, thick-necked, wrestler mouth like a furnace, red hair, large nostrils, tufted wart, head- banger thief (gold thumb) His mouth as greet was as a greet furnais./ He was a janglere and a Golidardais,/ And that was most of sinne and harlotries. / Wel coude he stelen corn and tollen thries - / And yit he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee. ll. 561-65 19. The Manciple called "gentle," somewhat ironically manages the accounts at the Inns of Court parallels Reeve, who manages accounts at a larger manor very closed portrait: nothing of his appearance, only his legal and financial skills tells a story against ever opening one's mouth Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace / That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace / The wisdom of an heep of lerned men? ll. 575-77 20. The Reeve lean and clean-shaven (sign of evil) rides apart from the group

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Ther nas baillif, hierde, nor other hine, / That he ne knew his sleighte and his covine - / They were adrad of him as of the deeth. ll. 605-07 21. The Summoner officer of the ecclesiastical court rides with Pardoner hideous appearance and corrosive treatments match his unashamed abuses of his position debased morality: uses his office for profit and sexual exploitation That hadde a fir-reed cherubinnes face, / For saucefleem he was, with yn narwe, / And hoot he was, and lecherous as a sparwe / With scaled browes blake and piled beerd: Of his visage children were aferd ll. 626-30 22. The Pardoner* strange hair and appearance unashamedly sells indulgences and relics; performance artist ambiguous sexuality: I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare (693) strange relationship to the Summoner (675) He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste; /wel coude he rede a leson and a storye, / But alderbest he soong an offertorye, / For wel he wiste whan that song was songe, / He moste preche and wel affile his tonge /To winne silver, as he ful wel coude / Therefore he soong the merierly and loude. ll. 710-16 Frame Characters 23. The Narrator compassionate, bemused, ironic, questioning, easily impressed, observant. My wit is short (748); self-deprecating introduces the problem of storytelling, the problem of language (ll. 727-38) Wordes mote be cosin to the deede (l. 744): different tellers use different language, with different aims

24. The Host named by Cook later Harry Bailey narrator impressed: seemly man (753); marshall in a hall ordering force; proposes the tale-telling contest (774 ff.) Tales of best sentence and most solas (800)

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rigs the drawing of straws: Were it by aventure, or sort, or cas / the soothe is this, the cut fil to the Knight: (ll. 846-47)

The Wife of Bath - Prologue The Prologue Experience v. Authority Introduces the moral of her tale: what women desire most is complete control over their husbands Misogyny and Misogamy Misogyny strong in the Church Women characterised as monsters: sexually insatiable, lecherous and shrewish Virginity praised Sex justified only for procreation How does the Wife of Bath conform to this definition? In Self-Defence... King Solomon had many wives St. Paul: it is better to marry than to burn Where does God command virginity? go forth and multiply The Bible on Multiple Marriages The Bible does not ban multiple marriages just because Jesus attended one wedding at Cana! Jesus and Samaritan woman: Jesus rebukes the woman at the well about her new husband Thou hast yhad five housbondes, quod he, / And that ilke man that now hath thee / is nat thyn housbonde. (ll. 17-19) The Wife confesses, she cannot understand this. She makes many errors in referring to the scriptures... 19

lack of real scholarship (was she literate?) Chaucer mocking the churchmen present, who often misuse Scripture to justify their devious actions (Monk, Friar...) Why the Church Treats Wives So... according to the Wife: hostility toward wives because they were written by (virgin?) men an astrological explanation: the children of Mercury (scholars) and of Venus (lovers) always contradict one another when clerks grow old, their impotence and decreased virility makes them hostile and slanderous toward wives Wife on Virginity... Departs from the holy scriptures, appeals to common sense: if all virgins, who would give birth to more virgins? sexual organs to be used for pleasure as well as for procreation and physical needs Leave virginity to the perfect and let the rest use gifts as best they may her gift is her sexual power Life with the First Four... Married at 12... Her first three husbands: goode, and riche, and olde - economics, power, and sexuality Unable to satisfy her sexual appetite but took them for everything they had Attack is the best defence: Thou saist . . . Her fourth husband had a mistress Janekin... Flirted with him whilst married to no. 4 As help me God, whan that I saw him go After the beere, me thoughte he hadde a paire Of legges and of feet so clene and faire, That al myn herte, I yaf unto his hold. He was I trowe, twenty winter old, And I was fourty, if I shal saye sooth But yit I hadde alway a coltes tooth: Gat-toothed was I, and that bicam me weel; (ll. 602-609) Married him at the end of the month

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Life with Janekin Janekins antifeminist reading Book of Wicked Wives Alisouns defence rips out three pages and punches Janekin o He falls into the fire o He punches her in the head (on the ear goes deaf) o She pretends shes dead o He is full of remorse o She attacks him verbally o Sort everything out and she gets the reign of the house again Only husband she married for love Gave him everything she had gained before He uses her tactics against her (I hate him that my vices telleth me) She cannot stop herself from desiring him. She brags about her shameless manipulation of her husbands and claims that her sexual powers can conquer anyone, but she retains a deep fondness for the one man she could not control. Alisoun... lost her beauty and her youth power to enjoy life the will to enjoy what she cannot change In discussion about nos. 4 and 5 - her true feelings show - Her language less controlled, she loses her place several times (digressions), and she begins to react to her own story, allowing the words to affect her own train of thought. She reveals her psychological depth - becomes a more realistic, sympathetic, and compelling character. and al was fals Twice calls attention to her habit of lying Highlights our awareness that she's giving a performance Puts her entire life story in question. To what extent should we believe the experience of the Wife of Bath? Is she perhaps a mean-spirited satire on Chaucer's part, meant to represent the fickleness of women? The Wife of Baths Tale An Exemplum - a story told to illustrate an intellectual idea. A short Romance to provide an answer to the question - What do women most desire? 21

Setting: The golden age of King Arthur both more perilous and more full of opportunity for women Every time a woman travelled alone, she was in danger of encountering an incubus, or an evil spirit who would seduce women The advent of Christianity got rid of the fairies, elves, incubi... The limitour has now taken their place (friars licensed to beg in a certain territory)

The Plot Lusty knight rapes a maide by verray force he rafte hir maidenheed (l. 894) Arthur hands him over to Guinevere at her request She sends him on an educational quest His education comes through women he can only be saved by what was thought of as a female shortcoming a woman's inability to keep a secret The Quest... No two women publically admit to desiring the same thing... The wife rehearses various answers... Women want to be told secrets, but cannot keep them... Knight getting desperate his time is running out a year and a day King Midas digression... She does not finish the story - she directs the reader to Ovid In Ovid's version, his barber is the only person who knows about Midas's ass's ears. The wife could, therefore, be slyly trying to point out that men, too, are gossips. The 24 Ladies, the Hag, and the Queen Disappearance of the ladies: magical. Appearance of the hag and her bargain: Plight me thy trouthe here in myn hand (1015) and I'll give you the answer. The knights answer to the queen: Wommen desiren to have sovereinetee / As wel over hir housbonde as hir love, /And for to been in maistrie him above. (1044-46) Knights Objections... Marriage: knight turns into a weenie Thou art so lothly and so old also, And thereto comen of so lowe a kinde, 22

That litel wonder is though I walwe and winde (ll. 1106-1108) Status; privy and apert The pillow speech on gentillesse: action not lineage (1115 ff.) poverte: (1183 ff.) elde: (1213 ff.)

His Options... Foul, old and faithful Or Young, fair and unfaithful both choices are intolerable By letting her make the decision, he has abandoned the males sovereignty in favour of the womans rule, thus turning the medieval world-picture up-so-doun.

The Reponse... It is unclear whether: he truly had enough respect for the old woman that he allowed her to choose for herself (Wife an idealistic character who believes that bad men can change) or he had simply learned how to supply her with the correct answer (Wife becomes a much more cynical character, inclined to mistrust all men) Glosing, i.e. Interpreting... Both transformations are only skin deep: the knight's shallow change in behaviour (but not in soul) the hag's transformation into the physical object of desires (superficial). Is the hag giving the knight exactly what he deserves: superficiality? Reversal of Traditional Values King Arthur submits to the rule of Guinevere (abandoning headship of state and headship of the family); the ladies of the court, instead of the men, serve as justices; and the authority of books and scriptures gives way to experience. the knight, a rapist who has violated the sanctity of a young girls chastity, is redeemed by another woman, albeit a hag.

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Reactions to the Wife: Her doctrine on marriage is shocking to her companions the single man never wants to marry For the Clerk and the Parson - scandalous and heretical The Clerk tells a tale of a character completely opposite from the Wife of Baths tale: from a scholarly friend in Italy - a wife who is patient and obedient, whose steadfast devotion to her husband makes her completely subservient to him even so far as to allow him to send her beloved children to someone else. The wife in The Clerks Tale does not complain about her husbands horrid insensitivity

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The Second Shepherds Play - The Wakefield Master The Wakefield Master combines comedy (including boisterous farce) with theology Addresses obvious problems draws in the medieval layman introduces a stock comic figure, Mak Charity is its own reward... Shepherds show charity twice: o to the son of Mak, and o to Mak and Gill when they decide to let them off with only the mildest of punishments Acts of charity and forgiveness are rewarded - invited to visit the Christ child, the embodiment of charity Wakefield Stanza 13 lines - ABABABABC DDDC Lord, but this weather is cold, // and I am ill wrapped! Night dazed, were the truth told, // so long have I napped; My legs under me fold; // my fingers are chapped With such like I dont hold, // for I am all lapt In sorrow. In storms and tempest, Now in the east, now in the west, Woe is him has never rest Midday nor morrow!

Three major movements Exposition Parody Nativity Exposition Traditional beginning: the three shepherds enter grumbling: All complain about the weather. Coll hard times & the oppression of the poor by the rich; Gib - henpecked, advises the young men in the audience against marrying in haste lest they repent at leisure; and Daw - the boy, rebellious, believes that apprentices are exploited by their masters.

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Mak Scottish name puts on Southern accent denotes him as an imposter/ a foreigner knowledge of charms links him with occult folk arts passed down from pre-Christian times to avert suspicion, he ingratiates himself with the three characters. E.g., Mak also complains about his wife antithesis of the Good Shepherd who looks for the lost sheep in the well-known parable; instead he causes a sheep to be lost Mak steals the sheep and brings it home to Gill, his wife. A comic, diabolical scheme: she will pretend the sheep is her newborn baby The Parody The shepherds look for their sheep at Mak's house. The comic centrepiece of the play: o Gill pretends that the bleating of the sheep is in fact her screaming in response to her labour pains. o Gill makes a profoundly significant joke in the midst of this charade Parodying of the Eucharist Gills that I eat this child / That lies in this cradill" (774-775) identifies the meaning of the animal in relation to the structure of the Nativity story The sheep is the mock Agnus Deia desacralized version of the Child and also of the Eucharist a parody of the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation Their Acts of Charity The sham discovered when Daw insists on giving the newly born child a coin. Coll immediately insists on vengeance, demanding Mak's death by hanging the shepherds take pity on Mak, wrap him in a blanket and roll him down a hill (reminiscent of birth) The Nativity Awakened by an angel who tells them to go to Bethlehem to see Baby Jesus Shepherds cross-check this vision against the Scriptures Coll expresses his astonishment that the Saviour would be revealed to people as poor as they. The shepherds experience redemption, leaving the manger totally converted, singing the praises of life Dramatic Unity episodes that seem unrelated are bound together in a single theme. the birth of a child

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Parallels between the Burlesque and Religious Scene twice a birth is announced twice they go seeking once to unearth a fraud, and a second time to worship the newborn Lord Maks complaints about wifes perennial fertility prepares the minds of shepherds for the new birth prophesy Prophets have heralded the birth of the Saviour news of the child's birth comes to the shepherds just after they have slept arrival of the sheep-baby is absurdly reported by his father: Mak tells the shepherds that the news has come to him in a dreamor rather in a nightmare, for it makes him quite unhappy the announcement in the Bethlehem scene is in the simple biblical tradition The Yorkshire shepherds, like the Bethlehem shepherds, find the babe in swaddling clothes but warned away by the 'parents' they hesitate to approach the cradle. Gift-Giving The link with the nativity episode o in the Mak scene burlesque, o in the later episode simple and touching. Daw's term of endearment to Mak's swaddled 'infant''litill day-starne'is applied by Gib to the Christ-child

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The Book of Margery Kempe - Margery Kempe Margery Kempe (1373-1439?) 1436-1438 Extracts published in 1501 and 1520 ancress Manuscript discovered in 1934 First extant autobiography - portrays Kempe in the context of her time rich examples of medieval thinking and faith One of the more controversial figures in English Literature Margery the Wife Mother of 14 children It was believed that only the saintly could communicate with God (virgins, widows but not wives!!) Normally, woman would take vows and be closed in a house of stone She refers to herself as this creature Medieval Mystic receives instructions directly from Christ on how to lead a holy life Accused of heresy and being a Lollard examined many times by Church authorities but she accepted Church doctrines unquestioningly (protected by fact that she was a mayors daughter?) The Birth of Her First Child Guilty conscience - unconfessed sin Confessor hasty went out of her mind - fear of damnation Tormented by devils day and night half-year eight weeks and odd days Devils demanded she renounce her faith she did she would a fordone herself many a time at their steering and a been damned with them in Hell Her First Vision Jesus Christ as a vision a beautiful man, clad in purple silk, looked on her with blessed expression and asked her Daughter, why hast thou forsaken me, and I forsook never thee? she saw verily how the air opened as bright as any Levin, and he sty up into the air, not right hastily and quickly, but fair and easily that she might well behold him in the air till it was closed again.

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Her Pride and Business Ventures Gods servant Very proud wanted to be worshipped finest clothes, superiority complex Started brewing business Successful for 4 years and then failure For no reason, no froth on the ale!!! Second venture: mill, horses wouldnt pull Her failure o Gods punishment for her pride and vanity The Vow of Chastity Hypothetical question by husband After living chastely for 8 weeks, does not want to sleep with him prefers him dead However, he must consent to her vow of chastity! Husband has three wishes o Sleep together o She should pay his debts before she goes to Jerusalem o eat and drink on Fridays like she used to before the fasting The Answer Christ: Can give up fasting the only purpose was to attain the vow of chastity o 1) he will not come to her bed; not to expect payment of any matrimonial debts; o 2) she will pay his debts before going on her pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and o 3) she will eat and drink like before. A Visit with Julian of Norwich Tears of compassion, devotion and contrition after hearing a heavenly melody in bed Seeks confirmation that these are divine gifts, and not diabolical Ordered by Christ to visit the anchoress Julian of Norwich Julians Counsel obedience and to do Gods will if it is not against the worship of God and fellow Christians The Holy Ghost only moves in favour of love two spirits (good and evil) cannot coexist in one person The Holy Ghost also gives the token of plenteous tears to a pure soul a person who is not enriched in the Holy Ghost cannot do this Pilgrimage to Jerusalem Rides into Jerusalem on donkey Nearly falls off when shown vision of heaven 29

Has her first crying on Mount Calvary she saw the Passion of Christ with her bodily eyes Her trademark... she fell down that she might not stand nor kneel but wallowed and wrested with her body, spreading her arms abroad, and cried with a loud voice as though her heart should a burst asunder, for in the city of her soul she saw verily and freshly how our Lord was crucified. Before her face she heard and saw in her ghostly sight the mourning of our Lady, of St. John and of Mary Magdelene, and of many other that loved our Lord. And she had so great a compassion and so great pain to see our Lords pain that she might not keep herself from crying and roaring though she should a been dead therefore. Her crying is brought on when she sees a crucifix, a wounded animal or man, sees a male baby or a young man Severely criticised for her crying For some said it was a wicked spirit vexed her; some said it was a sickness; some said she had drunken too much wine; some banned (cursed) her; some wished she had been in the haven; some would she had been in the sea in a bottomless boat; and so each man as him thought. Our ghostly men loved her and favoured her the more. Examination before the Archbishop Taken to the Archbishop of York for examination Accused of being a Lollard (heretic) punishment death by burning Criticises the swearing of holy men Contentious issue her white clothes only virgins could wear white Witnesses brought in against and for her She prayed so much she started her crying Examined on articles of faith passed wicked woman wicked man Thou shalt swear that thou shalt not teach nor challenge the people in my diocese she does not preach in pulpits, she communicates about God Lollardy / Heresy Knowing the Gospel dangerous at the time Bible in Latin - against the law to have a vernacular Bible Lollards pressed the issue of vernacular Bibles They were also opposed to swearing And opposed to confession The Tale About a priest who does not do his sacred duty with the respect that is necessary He is endowed with grace (fruits) when he speaks from the altar 30

All cancelled out by his worldly manners when he is not in the pulpit (he fecates all over the grace that he got) Nursing her husband Husband over age of 60 falls down the stairs and cracks his head very ill Margery called to nurse him Jesus special request that she tend to him as if she were tending to Christ himself Margery concedes and nurses him to his death Dangerous position for Margery o Had he died, would have been guilty of neglect Christ wrought a miracle for her by keeping him alive for the necessary year and even longer The husband went senile: Margery had much work but for the lust they had for one another once, found it was not difficult to nurse him till his death. Notes It was believed that only the physically chaste could attain a high degree of spirituality Jesus in visions dispels this theory he loves everyone, dispelling misogynist notions of Church For Christ, it is not important who you are but what you will become Considered apparitions and conversations with Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ as being real and substantial just like her communication with other people

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The Schoolmaster - Roger Ascham (1515-1568) Roger Ascham Tutor and Latin secretary to Queen Elizabeth I Classics not just for aesthetic purposes - for guidance in moral values and political activity Corresponded in Latin with many humanists Toxophilus, describes archery with the traditional English longbow. The Schoolmaster Published 2 years after his death Corporal punishment - ineffective as a motivating tool Should instill a love of learning, not fear of pain Double Translation Method more effective than rote learning of grammar and rules emphasises a sense of style Ultimate goal not mimicking, but ethical and aesthetical fashioning of the self Education should teach a person to conjoin values and language to achieve decorum Book of Youth the three concords noun/adj; verb/noun & relative/antecedent read selections of Ciceros De oratore translate it and read it to eliminate any doubts regarding content Must analyse it grammatically translate it into English; and then back into Latin without use of the original Instead of criticising the mistakes and bad work (unless cheating is involved) the master should point out how Tully does it in a gentle way Should foster master-student relations and allow the student to ask questions to clear up any uncertainties Lady Jane Grey An example of a student who has a love of learning Reading Plato in Greek instead of gallivanting around the countryside 32

Praise for her master, who instils her with such a passion for learning (?) Englishman Italianated Diatribe against papists in Italy - influence the Englishmen who go there Believe that the Englishmen do not try to maintain their decorum (sense of decency) but hurl to the court of Circe (enchantress from the Odyssey that turns men into swine and other animals) You remain men in shape and fashion but become devils in life and condition The Roman Catholic Church to blame books, such as romances, translated to corrupt good Englishmen (read: Protestants)

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Utopia - Sir Thomas More Research Paper Marriage customs and divorce in Utopia. Internet source: www.luminarium.org/renlit/tmore.htm All sources must be acknowledged (MLA)!! Due: 31/12/2011 (Final date!) Length: 800 words (2.5 3 pages) Standard essay form Header in top left-hand corner: Name, Dr.sc. Boris Beric, Survey of English Literature I, date Essay title CAPITAL LETTERS, CENTRED Paragraphs: Font: Times New Roman 12 Double-spaced and justified Page numbers on bottom of page

Historical Background Columbuss first voyage to New World, 1492 chief explorers: Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, Amerigo Vespucci, and Balboa Luthers publication of the Ninety-five Theses (Protestant Reformation) 1517 Henry VIII (1509), still married to first wife, Catherine of Aragon principal literary figures: Erasmus, Ariosto, Machiavelli, and Castiglione Great period in Western art: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Titian Period Achievements invention of printing, the development of gunpowder, and the improvement of navigational instruments and ship designs Classical Revival Rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman civilisation 34

study and imitation offered key to greatness Literature of ancients well of wisdom and eloquence Challenged dogma, recognised the authority of nature; living a full life in this world opportunity and obligation Sense of the worth of the individual The dignity of man Humanism developed out of these concepts Christian Humanism emerged to accommodate the conflict between pagan classicism and Christian doctrine Characters Thomas More I Peter Giles Raphael Hythloday talker of nonsense In service and servitude More: Counsel a prince! Hythloday: Useless o Other advisers know more o Envy leads to discrediting o Cannot lie and flatter like the others o Will not be enslaved to a prince Utopia nowhere Geographical details sense of realism (literary device used later by all utopian authors) Abraxa connected to mainland King Utopus dug channel used his soldiers and the enslaved people Witness to describe the land and customs More inspired by literature of exploration Aspects of noble savage propertyless and moneyless systems In accordance with Platos Republic Families 40 members + 2 slaves 1 magistrate (phylarch) over 30 families 2-year shifts of families and workers Farm city all occupations tried choose the one that suits you!!! 35

Farming life same in Mores day Utopian & English farmers did not own their land communal or privately owned English farmers worked to feed the rich; any surplus for themselves, then to sell!!! Opportunity to change professions!! Chickens Hatched in incubators Men considered mothers Gold and Silver Mined from the bowels of the earth No practical value (unlike iron) for purposes of vanity and wealth Value: what society places on it Hythloday comment: admiration and reverence for those who have gold, yet no judgment or generosity In Utopia No money - surplus stores sold for gold and silver to be used for wars (paying mercenaries) Gold and silver devalued - chamberpots & chains for slaves Using psychological methods to teach people to despise what others value as wealth Marriage Women 18; men 22 Forbidden: sex before marriage otherwise no one would get married Choosing marriage partner: important Nothing must be hidden: shown naked to one another Parallel: buying a horse!!! Divorce Not permitted Senate rules rarely Adultery or insufferable perverseness Adulterer sentenced to slavery; innocent party free to wed If innocent party doesnt want divorce, must share half the slaves load Permanence of matrimony and family relationships are supported Companionship romantic love not mentioned No marriages of convenience no wealth 36

Humorous choice of mate, but rational More, as Catholic, treats divorce as dangerous, last-resort proposition Only in this century have some of the laws for divorce been enacted, only in some countries Religion No official state religion Freedom of beliefs Majority belief in one omnipotent god, Mithra Superstitions on the wane Must believe in immortality of the soul otherwise, crime and evil would prosper Atheists persona non grata cant hold positions etc. Similarities in matters of ethical teachings and metaphysics, not in those practices which were criticized most frequently as church abuses No utopian liberality in the Roman Catholic world one Church one authoritative doctrine others heretics Hythlodays Conclusion Utopia = only true commonwealth In other countries man tries to acquire wealth for himself; if not, hell starve in Utopia for good of community: no man owns anything, but rich has share in everything anxiety-free Workers who cater to vanities bankers, goldsmiths, noblemen in ease and luxury People who provide necessary sustenance for life live in poverty; even animals better off Governments = conspiracy of rich to keep common people subjected

Money Do away with money! Do away with class differences! Do away with poverty, crime, revenge etc.! PRIDE Christ teaches communal living Utopia would be possible if pride did not exist Pride leads to comparisons and then to satisfaction when found superior to someone else!! 37

Elimination of private property and money is the core basis of Utopian society All other rules stem from these two bases Competition among individuals does not exist; no reason for crime Founded on Christian principles as opposed to Christian countries Mores Conclusion Addressed to the reader Some things absurd Their methods of waging war, their religious ceremonies, and their social customs were some of these, but my chief objection was to the basis of their whole system, that is, their communal living and their moneyless economy.

This one thing alone takes away all the nobility, magnificence, splendor, and majesty which (in the popular view) are considered the true ornaments of any nation.

I cannot agree with everything he said. Yet I confess there are many things in the Commonwealth of Utopia which I wish our own country would imitate, though I dont really expect it will. The Controversy Does More subscribe to the society in Utopia? No its just a fantasy Yes - More is very tongue-in-cheek in his observations to the reader. Utopian society is idealist society although very difficult to implement

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Surrey, Sidney & Shakespeare - Selected Poetry

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey Belonged to the Catholic aristocracy Royalty on both sides a potential claimant to throne Convicted of treason beheaded - Henry VIIIs last victim English Sonnet Established by Surrey Form: 3 quatrains + 1 couplet Iambic pentameter Rhyme: abab cdcd efef gg Known as: Shakespearean or English Sonnet Also: first poet to publish in blank verse 1537 imprisoned at Windsor Castle for striking a courtier Friend of Henry Fitzroy (illegitimate son of Henry VIII) married Surreys sister before death Prisoned in Windsor, He Recounteth His Pleasure There Passed First stanza: Windsor castle joy in his youth now has become a prison he bemoans the possibility Stanzas 2 10: He reminisces about his youth with Henry Sighing after maidens Describing dance balls Playing palme-play and losing because distracted Jousting, wearing ladies favours Competitions of strength and growing up Boasting about romantic conquests in the groves Hunting Last 4 stanzas: Sonnet In prison and scared to death Asking after Henry (died at 17) who was dearest to him Restrained by the same walls that once gave him immense pleasure (Final couplet) - Finds relief in memories of Henry loss helps him deal with his situation at least hes alive 39

Astrophel and Stella - Sir Philip Sidney (published 1591) Astrophel and Stella First Elizabethan sonnet cycle (sequence) Stargazer and Star (unattainable) Greek and Roman (incompatible) True love (?) or for literary purposes (?) It is believed. Penelope Devereux Married Lord Rich Unrequited love Sidneys obsession Sonnet I Motivation for writing To make his love for her known (return it?) Looking for precedents in poetry Cant find anything inspirational look in thy heart and write Nothing rational emotions from the heart Knows he cant get Stella - still desires her Sonnet II Describes how he fell in love Slowly - from platonic love to falling in love Ends up slave to love helpless like slave-born Muscovite / I call it praise to suffer tyranny (happy tyranny) Justifies and excuses his actions he is not responsible Sonnet V 4 moral axioms presented: o True born to serve reason o True lovers can only blame themselves for their suffering o True virtue is true form of beauty o True life on earth is transitory But: he will be rebel to Nature and foole to Cupids power he has no choice True- and yet true, that I must Stella love. 40

Sonnet VI Call for originality cannot copy others Lists various poetic conventions: o Love as an overpowering force o Some use oxymorons (l.4) o Some use mythology o Some use pastoral tradition (shepherds etc) o Some use conceits (ll. 10-11) Emotion in his voice is just as intense!!! Sonnet X Astrophel mocks Reason Sends Reason away not to bother with him (hopeless case) Reason can reason away as much as it likes But: If he saw Stella, he would also kneel and find reason to love her and worship her! Sonnet LXXXI Stellas kiss Overjoyed with the kiss Praising it to heavens Praise for kiss is inappropriate she wants higher-seated praise Wants to be known for virtue She will only be able to stop his mouth with a kiss!!! Sonnet LXXXVII Stella did care for him devastated by prospect of losing him Forced to leave Stella When the time came, Stella was sad, too He felt sad for her sorrow!! He is not angry, although he should be She can still manipulate him easily!!!

William Shakespeare - Sonnets Shakespeares Sonnets Formally published 1609 1640 pirated edition tried to sanitise Shakespeare (he to she, etc.) 154 sonnets o 1- 126 relationship with a young man o 127- 154 relationship with a woman (Dark Lady) 41

Sonnet I Beautiful people must procreate so that beauty (rose) might never die You need someone to live on to maintain the memory But your love for yourself seems to be sufficient for you You could do so much more (populate the world with beauty) Cruel to yourself in seeking own extinction Its a pity youre so stingy! You will leave the world and not give it its due (be a glutton) Sonnet 18 Comparing young man to summers day Summer day is lacking (too hot, too short, too rough, too dingy) Man perfect summers day like a darling bud of May Theres no chance of him getting old and dying He will be immortalised in these verses. Sonnet 20 As beautiful as a woman: natural, not artificial Gentle womans heart: not inconstant, false Turns to gold everything he looks at His beauty astounds men and women But: when Nature made you, she fell in love By adding a thing to him deprived me of you Since she formed him for womens pleasure I only want your love, give them use of your treasure!! Sonnet 116 Marriage of two minds essential (intellect) Love is not love: o if it changes when changes come o If it lessens when it is removed Love is constant cant be shaken North star Love does not diminish with time even though death may strike If I am wrong, then I have never written a thing, and no one has ever loved. Sonnet 130 The Dark Lady described Anti-Petrarchan sonnet Laura type hair of threads of beaten gold; eyes brightest stars, 42

her cheeks rosy; lips red vermillion dye, skin ivory The Mistress Eyes nothing like sun Coral redder than lips (pale lips) Breasts are brown in comparison to snow Hair black wires (not golden threads) No roses in her cheeks Breath does not smell sweeter than perfume; in fact reeks I love to hear her speak, but music more pleasant She isnt a goddess; walks on the ground Yet And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare, As any she belied with false compare. He loves her just the same Thinks she is just as rare as any woman who has been falsely portrayed by their lovers Perhaps more so because she is real (?)

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