portrayed Gawain this way?
Social Context It is believed that Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the late 1300s, as the age of chivalry began to wane. Though legend has it that Gawain was one of Arthur’s finest and most loyal knights, the Gawain Poet depicts him as flawed. Why might the Gawain poet have
portrayed Gawain this way? Compare Texts Both Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Chaucer’s “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” portray knights who undergo a test. Compare the tone,or writer’s attitude toward a subject, in these two selections. Identify words and details that help convey the tone in each poem.
Situational irony is a contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. What is ironic about Sir Gawain’s acceptance of the sash from the lady of the castle?
Think about why the Green Knight has shown up at the feast and presented this challenge. Is the challenge about him and his power or is it to test the knights? Why is it important to note that he came unarmed?
The green knight is green all over. Discuss the reaction of king Auther and his court in light of this. You may also want to note how the narrator chooses to introduce the knight's greenness.
Does it appear that chivalry is being observed in Arthur's court? Explain your opinion.
Discuss one unique detail about the author' sword choice and what it reveals about the general mood of king Arthur's court.
Identify one example of parallelism in Part I of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and discuss how the poet's use of parallelism enhances the meaning of the text or develops a particular idea.
What elements of courtly love are evident in The Wife of Bath's Tale? How do these elements contribute to the meaning of the tale as a whole?
Take a closer look at the Wife of Bath’s comment that women can be won over easily by flattery (188, line 106). Is she being ironic? Make an argument for your position based on context.
Examine Satire A writer who pokes fun at behaviors and customs with the intent of improving society is creating satire. Review the descriptions of the Monk and the Friar in lines 169–279. What aspects of the medieval church does Chaucer satirize through these characters?
Identify Irony Much of the humor of “The Prologue” is based on irony, the discrepancy between what appears to be true and what actually is true.
Explain the irony in one of the following character portraits: • the Nun Prioress • the Merchant • the Skipper • the Doctor Read lines 25-80, then respond to the following question:
Critical Interpretations In 1809, the English poet and artist William Blake made the following observation: “Chaucer’s pilgrims are the characters which compose all ages and nations. . . . Some of the names or titles are altered by time, but the characters themselves forever remain unaltered.” Do you agree or disagree that Chaucer’s characters seem timeless and universal? Support your opinion with details from the text and your own experiences. Examine the way the pilgrims respond to the Host in lines 830–841. What type of person do you think would appeal to so many?
Simile Analyze the extended simile in lines 842–844. What is Chaucer comparing? Is the simile serious or humorous? What light does it cast on the Host and on the pilgrims? Then compare this simile with the religious metaphor in lines 514–524.
Scan the rest of the General Prologue, then respond to the following question: Which of Chaucer’s characters (besides the host, the knight or the wife) do you like best? Which character traits make this character appealing to you?
Analyze the parallels between Satan & Beelzebub (Book I) and the Almighty Father & the Only Begotten Son (Book III): How are the two sets of characters similar to each other?
Compare and Contrast Characters A foil is a character who contrasts with a main character. How is Beëlzebub Satan’s foil?Think about how the two angels act. See Class Notes for more on character foils.
NOTE: Satan is a serephim; Beelzebub is a cherub. You may wish to research these different types of angels. Analyze Characterization In lines 34-125, what techniques does Milton use to characterize Satan? You may want to consider such possibilities as diction, imagery, figurative language.
Give at least one specific example, and explain how that example characterizes Satan: based on that example, what is Satan like? Evaluate Epic Simile How effective is Milton's use of the vehicle of a valcano (p. 501, lines 221-41) to communicate his vision of the hellish terrain on which Satan and Beelzebub seek rest from the tossing waves of the fiery lake?
Critical Interpretations Critic John Scott has said that although the Iliad is set during wartime, “the real greatness of that poem is in the portrayal of powerful human emotions rather than in military exploits.” Do you agree or disagree? Cite evidence to support your response.
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