Morality and Immorality in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”
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An 8 page paper looking at Geoffrey Chaucer’s most famous work in terms of its treatment of morality. The paper concludes that although many of the tales are wholesome and many are bawdy, the most inherently immoral are those, told by representatives of the Church, which are hurtful to one’s fellow human beings. Specific tales discussed in depth include the Pardoner’s, the Prioress’, and the Friar’s. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: KBchau11.wps

Religious Hypocrisy in Chaucer’s “The Monk’s Tale”
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A 6 page paper analyzing the personality of the Monk in this excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. The paper concludes that to Chaucer, the sin which the Monk commits by breaking his religious vows is somewhat mediated by the fact that the dogma on which the vows were based was flawed to begin with. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: KBmonks.wps

Chretien de Troyes' 'Yvain'
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A 5 page analysis of de Troyes' tale on the subject of how pure love leads to transformation of the individual—where Yvain and other characters are representatives of both the personal soul and the community soul. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: YvaindeT.rtf

Chretien de Troyes' 'Yvain' / Love and Marriage
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A 5 page paper showing how the title character in Chretien de Troyes' medieval romance learns to appreciate the value of love. The paper concludes that in the Middle Ages a successful man's life was supposed to be carefully calibrated to include both love and adventure -- a public life and a private -- and Yvain erred in favoring one at the expense of the other. One source cited.
Filename: lmYvain

Courtly Love in Medieval / Arthurian Romances
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A well-organized 11 page research paper on the theme of courtly love in Medieval Literature. The writer focuses upon such authors as Andreas Capellanus, Chretien de Troyes, and others. The role of women, chivalry, etc;-- is elaborated upon using such examples as 'Lancelot' and various other Arthurian romances. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: Medieva2.wps

Beowulf vs. Achilles
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A 6 page paper comparing the characters of Beowulf and Achilles (Greek mythology for Achilles). Shows basic similarities in their actions, but very different motivations. Bibliography lists a total of four sources (including the two primary ones).
Filename: Beowulf.wps

Beowulf : Pagan or Christian Hero?
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A 5 page paper examining whether Beowulf is as much a Christian as he claims. There are numerous pagan references throughout the epic, including among them monsters, sorcery and drinking of blood. Had Beowulf been truly Christian in his convictions, he would have understood that he would have no need of treasure after leaving this earth. Rather than allow the captured treasure to be used for the benefit of others after his death, he insisted that it be buried with him. Beowulf was a pagan hero. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: KSbeowuf.rtf

Beowulf, Sundiata, and Heroism in the Epic Tradition
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A 5 page paper comparing Beowulf, the oldest work in English literature, with an African epic, Sundiata. The paper concludes that the two works define heroism differently; while Beowulf is interested primarily in promoting himself as a valiant warrior, with Sundiata the emphasis is always on his people. Bibliography lists four sources.
Filename: Epictrad.wps

Beowulf
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A 4 page (detailed) analytical discussion of the classic English epic poem - 'Beowulf.' No Bibliography.
Filename: Beowulf2.wps