Brit Lit Finals Study Guide 1 - EDITS TO COME

Dream of the Rood

An Old English poem about a dreamer who speaks with the Cross, describing the crucifixion of Jesus.

Judith

• An apocryphal book from the Catholic Bible.

• Features Judith as a courageous war hero.

• Inspires resistance against the Assyrian oppressor Holofernes.

• Illustrates themes of divine intervention and individual bravery.

• Critiques traditional gender roles by depicting a woman's strength.

Lanval

A 12th-century poem by Marie de France, satirizing knightly tales and highlighting women's roles.

Beowulf

• Beowulf battles Grendel, a monster threatening Hrothgar's mead hall, Heorot.

• Also confronts Grendel's mother for revenge.

• Key themes include:

  • Heroism

  • The heroic journey

  • Loyalty

  • Good vs. evil

• Later becomes king of the Geats and faces a dragon, leading to his death.

• Reflects values of strength, honor, and the fleeting nature of life.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Definition: Allegorical poem from the late 14th century. Explores themes of heroism and Christianity. Plot:

• King Arthur's court celebrates New Year's.

• The Green Knight challenges any knight to strike him, with a pact for later retribution.

• Sir Gawain accepts the challenge, demonstrating courage.

• Journey: Gawain embarks on a quest to find the Green Knight.

• Faces trials testing his honor and loyalty.

• Heroism: Examines moral dilemmas faced by knights.

• Christian faith: Worldly temptations, forgiveness from the Green Knight

• Chivalry: Questions the complexities of knightly values.

• Symbolism: The Green Knight represents nature and challenges.

• Conclusion: Gawain learns about human fallibility and compassion.

Canterbury Tales

Definition: Collection of stories by Geoffrey Chaucer, written in the late 14th century. Frame Narrative: Pilgrims traveling to Canterbury share their tales.

• Diverse Characters: Represents various medieval social classes.

• Social Commentary: Critiques moral issues and corruption in the Church.

• Heroism: Explores different definitions of a true hero.

• Satire: Highlights the flaws of characters and societal norms. Notable Tales: Includes "The Knight's Tale" (chivalry) and "The Wife of Bath's Tale" (gender roles). Significance: Influential in English literature; marks a development in narrative poetry and language.

Knight's Tale

• Focuses on two knights, Palamon and Arcite, who love Emilee.

• Their rivalry culminates in a tournament for her hand.

• Misguided Ideals: Contrasts noble knightly images with selfish pursuits.

• Love and Rivalry: Explores how love creates conflict.

• Fate vs. Free Will: Discusses the balance between destiny and choices.

• Symbolism: The tournament represents societal pressures of honor.

• Conclusion: Critiques chivalric ideals while celebrating knightly virtues.

Miller's Tale

• Contrasts knightly ideals with flawed human behavior.

• Employs humor to highlight character absurdities.

• Satire

• Challenges societal norms and expectations.

Wife of Bath's Tale

• Critiques traditional gender roles in medieval society.

• Contemplates the status and rights of women.

• Explores themes of marriage, power dynamics, and female’s status in society

• Presents the Wife of Bath as a strong, independent character who challenges societal norms.

  • Immoral character

  • Flaunts her flawed belief

Geoffrey Chaucer

An English poet born in 1340, he is best known for writing Canterbury Tales, which provide social commentary.

Anglo-Saxon

• Warrior Society: Characterized by a strong military culture and loyalty among warriors to their lords.

• Storytelling Traditions: Rich in oral literature, including epic poems and legends, such as Beowulf.

• Social Structure: Comprised of kings, nobles, warriors, and peasants, with a focus on kinship and loyalty.

• Conversion to Christianity: Transition from pagan beliefs to Christianity, influencing culture and literature.

• Language: Development of Old English, a precursor to modern English, with significant literary contributions.

Norman Era

The period after 1066 marked by the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, influencing the English language and culture.

Breton lays

Celtic oral tales that were adapted into romances by writers like Marie de France.

Hamlet

A play by William Shakespeare exploring themes of duty, revenge, and moral corruption, featuring soliloquies as key elements.

Shakespearean Sonnet

A 14-line poem structured in iambic pentameter with a specific rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).

John Donne

A poet known for his Holy Sonnets, which explore profound themes of God, death, and redemption.

Paradise Lost

An epic poem by John Milton discussing the fall of man and the justification of God’s ways to humanity.

Dream of the Rood was found where?

Etched on the Ruthwell Cross

Who is the author?

Author unknown, theorized to be written by Cynewulf of cædmon

When was Dream of the Rood found?

8th century, later written in the Verceli book

When was the Ruthwell Cross destroyed?

164

When was the Ruthwell Cross rebuilt

1800’s

Who found/translated Judith?

Found in the Newell codex, translated by Ælafric Abbot

What is the book of Judith, where is it found?

It is an apocrypha, a book from the Catholic Bible

What did the poet change, and why?

Original version:

• Judith was a widow

• Older side

• Not warrior

Changes:

• Judith now war hero

  • Attempt to inspire younger male population to go to war

• Judith had braids

  • Braids = victories for anglo-saxons

• Young and beautiful woman

  • Appeal to younger male audience

• War wolves

  • Wolves = greater side of war

What were the beasts of war in Judith?

Wolf, raven, and eagle

When was Lanval written?

Around the 13th centuary

Who wrote Lanval?

Marie de France

Why was Lanval written?

As a social commentary about the king of her time and satirical commentary on knight tales of the time

What genre is Lanval?

Satire, chivalric romance, Arthurian Tale, fairy tale, fabliaux, french lais

How did Marie de France change this typical genre?

Role reversal - Importance on women’s roles in society, the woman in the story is the hero. Depicts man and society is corrupt instead of glorious.

Why did Marie de France make the changes she did?

• Political intention

• Political critique, current notable class of knights not acting as how they should

• Encouraged people to see flaws and fix them

Beowulf symbols

• Sword = masculinity

• 1st sword = representing God

• 2nd sword = representing hell/earth power

Genre, style, and common myths behind Beowulf

Mythos (lord of belief behind something) : Grendel and his mother coming from Cane

What is the style of Beowulf?

Epic

What is the genre of Beowulf?

Hero’s journey, similar to knight’s tale, similar to epic

Major themes, symbols of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

• Heroism, worldly vs heavenly spirituality

• Green Knight and his green sash

  • Represents worldly things

• Biblical allegory - 1

  • Green knight symbolizes Christ

  • Gawain experiences hardships test his faith

• Biblical allegory - 2

  • Green Knight represents World, posing threat to Christianity and bringing in the World

    • Gawain leaves faith behind, and goes into the World

When were the Canterbury Tales written?

1385-1400 (unfinished)

Who wrote the Canterbury Tales?

Geoffrey Chaucer

Why were the Canterbury Tales written?

Critique of medieval society and roles, what makes a hero a hero

When was Chaucer born?

1340

To whom was Chaucer born?

Upper middle class of wine merchants

Where was Chaucer born?

England

What job did Chaucer have growing up?

Page (secretary) to the Countess of Ulster

What languages was Chaucer proficient in?

Italian, French, and English

Who was Chaucer’s benefactor and lifelong friend?

John of Gaunt 3rd or 4th in line for the English throne

What were Chaucer’s intended goals for the Canterbury Tales?

• Establishment of a standard English language

• Detailed insight into the social fabric of the time

• Satire and social commentary

• Benefit of what rather than who they are

When were the Canterbury Tales written?

1387 - 1400

Why did Chaucer write the Canterbury Tales?

• Detailed insight into the social fabric of the time

• Satire and social commentary: commentary on the fact that the heroes in stories were not very heroic or moral or honorable anymore. And with them being the “best of the best” and serving as role models to people, real people would end up being even worse than them. Coming from those people, they would continue the cycle and create more stories with “heroes” who were even worse. Commentary on people claiming to be Christian but then being immoral and using it for their own gain or being unfamiliar with the Bible’s truth.

What was the order of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales?

Knight’s Tale, Miller’s Tale, Wife of Bath

How many tales did Chaucer complete before passing?

24

Approximately how many intended Canterbury tales would have been finished?

120