Essays and Research Papers on Medieval Literature

A 5 page paper which analyzes the theme of sacrifice in Dorigen’s complaint in “The Franklin’s Tale” from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which analyzes Dorigen’s complaint in “The Franklin’s Tale” from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” No additional sources cited.

This is a 5 page paper discussing the nature of the epic heroes. Heroes, whether by classic, epic or traditional definitions have several common elements which allow them to be called “heroes”. The epic classics written by Homer and Virgil show us that not only are heroes brave, loyal, courageous and wise but they also ...

A 3 page paper which examines what was happening during the time that Beowulf takes place. Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the characters of Byblis and Myrrha from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

This 5 page paper looks at how these title characters come across in their respective plays. The paper argues that both characters appear more like authors, or narrators, than mere participants in a play. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the Canterbury Tales and how they offer an understanding of Chaucer and his times. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 5 page report discusses two of the preeminent interpreters and critics of Geoffrey Chaucer, Durant Waite Robertson, Jr. and E. Talbot Donaldson and their attitudes regarding Chaucer’s works. Robertson saw Chaucer’s work as allegory reflecting Christian beliefs while Donaldson interpreted him as a comic writer with a remarkable eye for detail and skill in ...

This 6 page paper evaluates four characters and compares and contrasts secular folk from those who are in the clergy. Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury Tales is used as a springboard for discussion. No additional sources cited.

This 6 page report discusses a number of Geoffrey Chaucer’s stories in The Canterbury Tales. Numerous examples of satire exist throughout Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. In fact, each of the tales and each of the characters offers some form of a parody regarding the personalities and human interactions that Chaucer observed around him. One of his favorite things ...

A 5 page paper which examines the development and significance of the three battles from the epic Beowulf. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

This 5 page paper takes a look at the epic and evaluates its content for Christian values and heroism. Some quotes are included. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts the gender relations presented in each text. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the symbolism, the meaning, and the significance of the Cyclops in Homer’s Odyssey. The paper also briefly discusses Dante and Homer’s interpretation of Odysseus/Ulysses. Bibliography lists 5 additional sources.

A 6 page paper which examines, and compares, Sir Gawain, from “The Green Knight,” and the Redcrosse Knight, from “The Faerie Queene.” Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing two articles about The Odyssey by Homer. Tutorial language is inserted into the paper using square brackets. In a summary and discussion of Peter Green’s article “Reading, translating, and speaking Homer” (1997) and Paul Cantor’s article “The art in the popular” (2001), both Green and Cantor compare Homer’s ...

This is a 5 page paper comparing the difference in the attitudes toward sex and love in the ancient Chinese and Egyptian love poems and songs. Ancient songs and poetry written around the 1,000 B.C. vary greatly from culture to culture. The Chinese lyric poetry found in “The Book of Songs” tells of lovers and ...

This is a 5 page paper discussing Gawain’s character at the end of the tale, aspects of chivalry and the significance of the hunting scenes. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is a well loved tale of chivalry and bravery which was originally written in the late 1300s. What makes this tale of chivalry different ...

An 8 page paper which examines the role and meaning of death in Celtic fairy tales. The paper predominantly addresses the fairy tale “The Banshee Woman” and also focuses primarily on the psychological interpretation of the fairy tales. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page paper assessing the speeches of these two characters of Homer’s “The Illiad.” Nestor is a king and old by standards in Homer’s time. He is a ruler in his own right and possesses sound logic and an ability to stir people to action. Andromache is the devoted wife of ...

A 5 page paper which examines the differences in human values presented in the cultures of “The Inferno” and “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

A 5 page paper that examines the story of Beowulf as it involves a reflection of fame, fate, and the ornamental arts. NO additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which analyzes the lines 2860-2879 from the classic Beowulf. The paper argues that these lines clearly symbolize the culture and the ideals of the people. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper which examines some of the feminist perspectives that can be found in Chaucer’s “Wife of Bath” from “Canterbury Tales.” Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

A 5 page paper which provides a summary and then response to an essay titled “The Wife of Bath and the Mediation of ‘Privitee,’” author unknown, available at http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rashoaf/currency/eleven.html. No additional sources cited.