Essays and Research Papers on Medieval Literature

A five page paper looking at the roles played by male and female characters, both mortal and divine, in this ancient work. The paper argues that because no valued female viewpoint is presented in the text, it is unequivocally gendered, and its authorship is almost certainly male. No additional sources.

This 9 page paper examines the treatment of women in this classic tale. Several quotes are included. Dante's obsession with Beatrice is duly noted. No additional sources cited.

In eight pages this paper compares and contrasts how gender relationships are depicted in each text as reflective of different perspectives and cultural backgrounds. There are no additional sources listed in the bibliography.

A 3 page paper which examines how female gender is depicted in Sophocles’ Oedipus trilogy and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

The medieval romance, Silence, translated by Sarah Roche-Mahdi, is a story of a girl who is raised as a boy. This 6 page paper argues that he character, Silence, is caught in the conflict of nature versus nurture as it applies to gender roles while her father, Cador, is caught in the battle between acceptance ...

A 6 page paper which examines the ways in which competition manifests itself among mortals, gods/goddesses and genders. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A five page paper looking at the life of this great author of the fourteenth century. The paper shows that although he spent his life in government service, this helped his literary career through exposing him to different locales and diverse types of people -- influences which came together in The Canterbury Tales. Bibliography lists ...

This 6 page report discusses the fact that Homer’s “ Iliad” should understand is that “Iliad” presents numerous unanswered questions, most of which are likely to remain unanswered throughout history. The question that has most intrigued historians, writers, archaeologists, and other scholars is how accurate a representation of the ancient world was the story? Is the historical backdrop one that can ...

This 5 page paper discusses the trial and defense put forward by Socrates, recorded by Plato. The paper argues that Socrates was highly persuasive and put forward attractive arguments, but it was unlikely he would have been found innocent given the background of his teachings and the recent history in Athens at the time of ...

A 5 page paper which defines the Kama Sutra and its history. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how Diaz’ “The History of the Conquest of the New Spain,” More’s “Utopia,” and Montaigne’s “Essais” portray non-European societies and peoples. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines European identity when meeting other cultures. The paper utilizes “Utopia” by Thomas More and “The Prince” by Machiavelli for the examination. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which defines and examines the concept as it existed in Europe during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, citing the anonymously written “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” as an example. Bibliography lists 1 source.

In four pages this paper contrasts and compares these two epics in a consideration of how in each revenge is a legal and culturally accepted form of justice and how the backgrounding of the legally sanctioned payment of compensation in Njal’s Saga affects the reader’s view of violence in Beowulf. Four sources are listed ...

This 4 page paper argues that Odysseus's relationship with his friends and family illustrates one of Homer's main points, which is that even heroes need help at times and asking for it doesn't make them weaker. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper examines the tragic flaw in the character of Oedipus as revealed in the play "Oedipus the King." Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page book review that addresses Cicero's The Republic and The Laws. Cicero's The Republic can be viewed as the "culmination of pagan thinking" regarding political theory and, specifically, the organization of the Roman state (Powell x). Then, in its sequel, The Laws, Cicero expounds on the doctrine of Natural Law, setting out an ...

A 4 page research paper that examines the conflict between Antigone and Creon, which is whose law should take precedence, humanity's law or divine law. Citing the opinions of Creon's son, the chorus, and the people of Thebes, the writer argues that Sophocles clearly sides with Antigone. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the significance and importance of money in three tales from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” The tales examines are those of the Merchant, the Clerk, and the Sergeant of Law. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page paper assessing Creon's view of events and the results of his laws as ruler of Thebes. Antigone is dead because of Creon's trust in political power; grief has claimed both his son and his wife. Perhaps Creon has not taken full responsibility, for he still blames fate for a large ...

An 8 page paper which compares and contrasts Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" and George Whetstone's "Promos and Cassandra." The paper focuses on what Shakespeare did differently, and how those differences impacted the work of Shakespeare in "Measure for Measure." Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

A 5 page paper which considers the confident arrogance of Oedipus and Hamlet, how when illusion collides with reality, each protagonist is forced, through their development as human beings, to undergo a profound reappraisal of his position in the universe. Specifically considered is whether or not the truth set these heroes free. No additional sources are used.

A 5 page paper which examines how three elements of tragedy and of the tragic hero apply to the protagonists of King Oedipus, Prince Hamlet, and Amanda Wingfield. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In three pages specific quotes from these respective classic works of literature are contextually interpreted and analyzed. Two sources are listed in the bibliography.

A 5 page paper which considers the tragic elements of these characters by examining conflicts between father and child, good king/person and bad king/person, male and female. Bibliography lists 3 sources.