| Papers [1-15] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 7] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 —> | Search results on "CANTERBURY TALES": |
|
|
Essays on "The Canterbury Tales", 2009.
This paper studies "The Knight's Tale and Trecento Italian Historiography" by James H. McGregor and "Desire, Violence and the Passion in Fragment VII of the Canterbury Tales: A Girardian Reading," by Curtis Gruenler.
1,647 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 53.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
In this article, the writer introduces, discusses and analyzes two essays on "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer. Specifically, the writer summarizes and compares the two essays "The Knight's Tale and Trecento Italian Historiography" by James H. McGregor and "Desire, Violence and the Passion in Fragment VII of the Canterbury Tales: A Girardian Reading," by Curtis Gruenler. The writer notes that these two essays discuss different aspects of Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," from what inspired "The Knight's Tale" to his use of violence and history in the work, and what that means for readers. The writer concludes that these essays open up new worlds and ways to explore "The Canterbury Tales," and they make the epic poem more interesting and compelling to the reader.
From the Paper
"Both of these essays bring up aspects of "The Canterbury Tales" that casual readers might not recognize or understand. They show how the history of the day influenced Chaucer, and how he used other, older works as inspiration for his own tales. They show how events at the time also inspired Chaucer, and that he was writing largely against violence in most of the tales, and that shows in many of them, including the "Knight's Tale." Each of the tales is humorous or satirical in some way, and one essay discusses new fragments of the manuscript that contained differences in the accepted version of some of the stories. All of this information helps enlighten the reader and gives them another layer of understanding the work, and it makes reading it more enjoyable, too, because there is background and foundation for some of the tales and their meaning."
| |
|
"Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer, 2006.
A look at the general prologue of Geoffrey Chaucer's " Canterbury Tales".
1,219 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
In this book review, the author looks at the general prologue of Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". The paper examines the masterful and clever way in which Chaucer described late Middle Age life. The author reminds us that "Canterbury Tales" is actually an unfinished work due to Chaucer's untimely death. The existing "Canterbury Tales" actually comprises only about one fourth of the intended one hundred twenty or more tales. The paper examines in detail each of the characters that Chaucer centers upon and how they are portrayed in a comical manner. The author concludes with the question of whether the issues raised in the book have changed significantly over time and if Chaucer's confidence in his assessment of his contemporaries was misplaced.
From the Paper
"The Knight, model of chivalry and courtesy, having acquitted himself well in all of the major expeditions and conflicts of the half-century preceding the pilgrimage, assumes the role of exemplar of Middle English nobility. In modesty, gentleness and adherence to truth, he is established as the vessel for those noble human traits by which the reader will measure each of the others. ("He was a knight in all things to perfection.") The Knight has glorified himself in many battles, but is prudent in his speech and manner. He is thus portrayed as being praiseworthy without being proud. These characteristics make him clearly the most admired of the pilgrims, and his tale being first sets the bar by which all others shall be judged in both their tales and their telling."
| |
|
"The Canterbury Tales", 2007.
This paper analyzes the personal convictions that influenced Geoffrey Chaucer's writings in "The Canterbury Tales".
4,774 words (approx. 19.1 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 122.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper discusses how Chaucer lived in the complex social situation that was fourteenth century England and shows how "The Canterbury Tales" is written through a particular lens. The paper analyzes the female characters that Chaucer presents in light of his personal bias. The paper demonstrates how "The Canterbury Tales" were written to entertain a medieval audience and asserts that we should only relate to them as an indication as to what English society was like.
From the Paper
"Certainly, the women of "The Canterbury Tales" can be, to some extent, understood simply through the way Chaucer intends to present them; but Chaucer's very conception of what a woman is can also be utilized as a method toward grasping the essential role of women in medieval society. Chaucer, as a member of the dominant culture in medieval Europe--wealthy men--necessarily creates and describes his female characters in terms of their relationship to specific archetypes. Yet, in this respect, Chaucer is exceedingly innovative--for his time--regarding the creation of all his characters: each character is, in a way, held up to the ideal model of what it means to be a monk, a friar, a prioress, or a knight, and shown to somehow diverge from their associated epitome."
| |
|
Prologue in "The Canterbury Tales", 2006.
Looks at why Geoffrey Chaucer included the General Prologue in his work, "The Canterbury Tales", using the Friar Huberd as an example.
1,769 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 57.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
In writing "The Canterbury Tales", Geoffrey Chaucer decided that instead of he being the teller of the tales, he would use various characters to tell their tales. He uses the General Prologue to introduce each of these pilgrims who, on the road to Canterbury, will each tell a tale. The paper shows that the narrator of the General Prologue, himself a pilgrim, relates to us, the readers, what his impression of each character is based on his own observations and on what each character has chosen to tell him. Each description in the General Prologue is, upon first reading, quite complimentary, yet there seems to be many ambiguous comments made that lead us to suspect that each character is being satirised in turn. To understand this more fully, the paper examines the description of the Friar, Huberd.
From the Paper
"The first description of the Friar that we are given is that he is "a wantowne...man." (l. 208) If we understand "wantowne" as meaning jovial or light hearted (Benson, 808) then there seems to be nothing untoward in Huberd's behaviour. It may even be preferable to have an easy going manner while working so closely with the people. However, "wantowne" can also be understood as being lascivious. (Benson, 808). How is it possible to decide which meaning of this ambiguous term applies to Huberd? We must read further on in his description to decide."
| |
|
Women in "The Canterbury Tales", 2009.
A look at the role of the Wife of Bath in the "General Prologue" and the portrayal of the carpenter's young wife in "The Miller's Tale" from Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales".
1,437 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 0 sources, $ 47.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper examines the similarities between the Wife of Bath in the "General Prologue" and the the carpenter's young wife in "The Miller's Tale" in Goeffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales". It looks at how they are both named Alisoun and how their identities are arguably defined by their wifehood. Both wives are wealthy by default but not of noble class standing, rather they married their way up. Both can also be considered lascivious and both may be said to defy gender stereotypes and expectations of the time. The paper also discusses how the physical descriptions of women in "The Canterbury Tales" often seem to mirror their characters and how this sets up the two wives on the opposite spectrum of physical appearance.
From the Paper
"Alisoun, the Wife of Bath, is best described as an old hag. The first thing the narrator notes about her is a sign of physical decay, her deafness on one ear, saying that "she was somdel deef" (446). Only she herself later reveals that this is not due to senility. Thus, she is immediately situated her as an older, if not elderly woman, though she may, in truth, be no older than forty. In the passage I studied in detail, this assumption is further underlined by the description of her five marriages and the multiple pilgrimages she has made to far-away places: "She had been three times at Jerusalem... at Rome, and at Boulogne, In Galicia at Saint-James (of Compostella), and at Cologne" (462-466). Since traveling in the Middle Ages was a lengthy, exhausting and dangerous process, the conclusion lies near that the Wife of Bath has lived a long, diverse life and is none the more attractive for it. "
| |
|
"The Canterbury Tales", 2005.
A discussion on Geoffrey Chaucer and the religious clergy in "The Canterbury Tales".
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, $ 44.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper analyzes Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", describing how the Parson presents a morally and ethically idealized character, which is placed at the apex of the Christian Church's clergy. The paper further discusses how the Prioress, the Friar, and the Pardoner all represent lower hierarchical figures in the Christian servants of the Church. The Prioress makes a limited devotion to the Church through her families wealth; the Friar is an immoral sexual deviant, and finally, the Pardoner steals his followers' money so that he may live better than they.
From the Paper
"In this study The Pardoner's Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer will examined through the perspective of the religious clergy in the overall moral and ethical schematics of the Canterbury Tales. By comparing and contrasting the societal position of the Parson, one can evaluate the roles of the Prioress, Friar, and Pardoner within the religious hierarchy of Chaucer's text. In essence, with the Parson has the elite position of religious society, as well as the high water mark of religiosity, the varying views on the clergy is depicted by Chaucer on the lower the ranks of the Christian Church. These various aspects of the Christian Clergy will be analyzed within The Pardoner's Tale and the General Prologue of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales."
| |
|
Deadly Sins in "The Canterbury Tales" & "Piers the Plowman", 2001.
A compare and contrast analysis of "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer & "Piers the Plowman" by William Langland.
919 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 0 sources, $ 32.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper reviews two medieval books " The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer and "Piers the Plowman" by William Langland and examines how the "Deadly Sins" are presented in the texts. It discusses the portrayal by each author of each of the sins in turn and how both describe a pilgrimage and both try to make people better by depicting virtues and vices. Langland chose to use for this purpose abstract characters while Chaucer on the opposite side used very true to life characters with human faces.
From the Paper
"Pride is first to confess her ?swaggering airs? and to admit that to take ?a humble place? would be ?something new? for her. Her confession is rather short, but this description of how pride is reflected in people?s behavior helps to recognize those guilty of pride in General Prologue. Prioress is supposed to call herself humbly ?a sister?, ?was cleped madame Eglentyne?(121), she sings the services ?entuned in hir nose? trying to imitate French in order not to look as a nun but more as a noble lady. Friar is also proud, he prefers to socialize ?with frankeleyns over-al in his contree,/ and eek with worthy wommen of the toun? and avoids poor and his fellow beggars."
| |
|
"Canterbury Tales", 2006.
An analysis of the prologue of Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
3,100 words (approx. 12.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 90.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper studies the twenty-nine pilgrims in the prologue of "Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer. The paper attempts to understand the life, culture, values and thought patterns of Chaucer's England through his characters. The paper begins with an overview of the opening lines of the prologue, with their minute details of common, everyday life and the physical body. Then the paper analyzes each of the pilgrims' attributes, character and symbolic value. The pilgrims discussed are: the knight, the knight's son (the young squire), the yeoman, the merchant, the clerk, the sergeant, the franklin, the cook, the shipman, the physician, the wife of Bath, the plowman, the miller, the reeve, the prioress, the monk, the summoner, the pardoner, and the parson.
From the Paper
"When Geoffrey Chaucer passed away in 1400, he left unfinished his most memorable and resourceful literary endeavor, The Canterbury Tales. The completed portions and existing fragments of the work actually comprise only about one fourth of his intended one hundred twenty or more tales. Even so, what remains of his partial creation occupies over seventeen thousand lines of masterful, clever, detailed and often bawdy verse, offering a rare and animated view of Late Middle Age life and thought. From the spiritual concerns and moral questions raised by the actions of the righteous Parson and the self-serving Friar, to the mundane and even comical physical observations of the Miller's warty nose and the Wife of Bath's remarkable dental display, the reader is moved by this rare personal visit with our forebears and their concerns. After all, our contact with historical figures is too often limited to formal treatments of stuffy characters about whom we seldom hear of frailties, worries, warty noses and blue humor."
| |
|
The Use of Pornography in "The Canterbury Tales", 2006.
This paper discusses author Geoffrey Chaucer's use of graphic sex in his classic novel 'The Canterbury Tales."
1,200 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 41.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The writer of this paper asserts that Chaucer's novel "The Canterbury Tales" is arguably one of the earliest pornographic work of literature ever written and goes on to explain how the sexual adventures and graphically described bodily functions in the novel would be much more apparent if written in modern English. The writer discusses the plot and main characters of the novel while giving examples of the author's use of sexually explicit connotations throughout the story.
From the Paper
"The two students from the school (Aleyn and John) know of his bad reputation when they are assigned to bring cornmeal for grinding into flour. They decide they will exact revenge upon the miller for cheating the university. However he distrusts them and while they are not looking he unties their horse so it escapes into the woods. While they are retrieving it, he steals half the flour from their sack with his wife's and daughter's aid. But the student clerks have not forgotten their plan and when they return they ask to pay for room and board for the night. The miller agrees, telling them they must sleep together in one bed, while he and his wife share another bed and his daughter sleeps in a third. He then goes to bed thinking he has fooled them."
| |
|
"Canterbury Tales": Influence of the Church, 2005.
Explores themes of salvation and religion in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
3,286 words (approx. 13.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 94.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper talks about how characters in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" all try to obtain salvation in some way or another. The bubonic plague and shortage of priests are discussed in this paper, as are other issues. Direct quotations from the original text are used to prove the author's points. The paper also discusses the Roman Catholic Church.
From the Paper
"The ratio of virtuous clergymen to corrupt clergymen portrayed in The Canterbury Tales is most likely incorrect, but corrupt churchmen did exist in those days. The major reason for these crooked men was another consequence of the bubonic plague. More than ever were priests needed, but, unfortunately, many priests had perished along with the millions of other people. Priests were needed to bless the dying, perform masses, say confession, and perform many other duties. In a time of dire need, the Roman Catholic Church resolved to practically accept and consecrate into the priesthood virtually anyone wanting to join. Corrupt churchmen were probably a result of the mass hiring of priests in the aftermath of the Black Death."
| |
|
?Canterbury Tales?, 2002.
An analysis of the theme of morality in Geoffrey Chaucer's ?Canterbury Tales?.
2,295 words (approx. 9.2 pages), 0 sources, MLA, $ 70.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper examines how Geoffrey Chaucer's ?Canterbury Tales? occupies a pivotal position in English literature because of its colorful characters and their interesting stories, which can be read as commentaries on society and religion of 14th century England. In particular, it looks at how it is an interesting commentary on various types of moral values that people possessed by discussing how most of the characters in the book are plagued by some moral problem that they are blissfully unaware of and how they firmly believe they are doing nothing wrong. It shows how these issues indicate that orthodox moral values were rapidly eroding in 14th century England, and the tattered moral fabric had resulted in severe corruption in all sections of society.
From the Paper
"The only three women to make an appearance in the book are the Wife of Bath, The Prioress and her companion The Nun. While the Nun is a smaller character, which occupies an insignificant place in the book, the two other women manage to attract readers? interest because of their contrasting personalities and their conflicting beliefs and values. But while on the surface their views differ strikingly, somewhere deep down, both females are wrestling with some moral issues. The only difference is that Wife of Bath acknowledges those problems and has set her mind on defying society while the Prioress wants to conform to societal norms and fails to see the moral problems bothering her."
| |
|
Chaucer?s "Canterbury Tales", 2003.
An examination of the concepts of love and marriage in Chaucer?s "Canterbury Tales".
1,935 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 61.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
Chaucer?s "Canterbury Tales" provide us with a glimpse of what medieval romance, love, and courtship might have been like in the 14th century. This paper shows how, by skillfully employing the stylistic technique of specific detail in each of his characters, Chaucer is able to demonstrate various viewpoints about love and marriage.
From the Paper
"One tale that allows us to get a very different opinion of love and marriage is the Wife of Bath?s Tale. Told from a woman?s perspective, this tale might have invoked a wide array of responses in its time. Partly because it is humorous and partly because the Wife of Bath could be considered the first feminist. For instance, she openly admits to hating he idea of being controlled by a husband. In addition, she drinks ?sweete wyn? and wears ?clothing with precious array? despite what her husbands have told her. She likes to have men in her ?thrall?. The Wife of Bath certainly does not support the idea of the subservient wife. After all, she claims to have had control over all four of her previous husbands. The Wife of Bath was certainly considered at the least to be rebellious, as ?certain theologians developed idea of womankind as nothing less than monstrous? (Abrams 133). In a clear and brave voice, we can see how the Wife of Bath is taking what was considered to be an unusual stand against normal conventions for that time. She sees the act of marriage as nothing more than a business arrangement that two people enter into. This is reflected when she says, ?and therefore every man this tale I tellle:/Winne whoso may, for al is for to selle? (Chaucer 418). The Wife of Bath did not casually come by her opinion; she has learned what she knows the hard way. In fact, she even tells us that she is an ?expert in myn age--/This is to say, myself hath been the whippe--? (180-1)."
| |
|
Geoffrey Chaucer and Canterbury Tales, 2002.
This paper gives a history of the life of poet Geoffrey Chaucer whose best-known works are "The Canterbury Tales" and "Troilus and Criseyde".
1,537 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The writer looks at the background that pre-dated Chaucer's writing, leading to the creation of "Troilus and Criseyde". The paper then shifts the focus to "The Canterbury Tales", taking a closer look at this work. The paper brings examples from the text to illustrate the analysis of Chaucer's writing style.
From the Paper
"The Canterbury Tales, started sometime between 1347 and 1400. This work is considered Chaucer's masterpiece. It is organized as a collection of stories told by a group of travelers on pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury. The Canterbury Tales reflects the diversity of fourteenth-century English life while reflecting the full-range of medieval society with the pilgrims sharing tales that span the medieval literary spectrum. Here critics concur that Chaucer brings each character to life and creates truly memorable individuals. Within the framework of the Canterbury Tales are ten parts which appear in different order in different manuscripts. Critics believe that Chaucer's final plan for this work was never realized because he either stopped working on the piece or died before he could place the sections in sequence."
|
| Term Paper # 57434 |
temporarily unavailable
|
|
|
|
"The Canterbury Tales", 2002.
An analysis of the character of the 'Squire' from Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
800 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 28.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper on Chaucer?s ?Canterbury Tales? focuses on the personality of the ?Squire?. It discusses his qualities, Chaucer?s attitude toward him, his appearance and what it tells of his character. It also explores the ambiguities or contradictions between inner and outer appearance.
From the Paper
"In ?The Canterbury Tales? Chaucer documents the different social tensions in the manner of the day, moreover, he wrote in the vernacular, the English that was spoken in and around London in his day. The tales are told by a group of people who are journeying from London to Canterbury in Kent so they may receive the blessings of the English martyr, Sir Thomas Becket. The group is a collage of social classes from aristocrats to the poor. It has been proposed that each in the group will tell a tale so the journey may pass more quickly and the best storyteller will be the recipient of an elaborate meal paid for by the other travelers (Chaucer 1976). Chaucer places himself in the story as one of the travelers and straws are drawn to see who will tell a tale first. The Knight draws the shortest straw and so begins his tale, followed by such characters as the Monk, the drunken Miller, the Man of Law, the Parson, the Shipman, the Wife of Bath, the Merchant, and the Knight?s son, the Squire (Chaucer 1976)."
|
|
|
