Tuesday, August 28, 2012
WIfe of Bath #12
How does the Hag's transformation externally match or mirror an internal transformation of the rapist knight who earlier gave no respect to women?
Wife of Bath #11
How does the Tale of the Wife of Bath connect to her message in the prologue? How might her story be a type of wish-fulfillment for aging?
Wife of Bath #10
What two options does the Hag present the Knight? What option does he choose (trick question!)? How does the hag then change?
Wife of Bath #9
What does the hag teach the young knight about nobility in her lecture? What makes a person "Noble" or "Gentle" according to her?
Wife of Bath #8
What does the Old Hag say she wants in return for providing the answer to the knight's riddle? What is the Queen and the court's reactions to the Knight's answer?
Wife of Bath #7
What problem does the Knight find when he starts asking women what they want? What are some of the answers he receives?
Wife of Bath #6
What is the initial punishment King Arthur orders for the knight? Who intervenes and requests a special trial? Who is in charge of this special trial? What must the knight do to save his head? How long does the knight have to fulfill his mission?
Wife of Bath #4
LOTS of horses in this tale. What would a HORSE symbolize in this period? Might have to do some research to find this one.
Wife of Bath #2
According to the Wife of Bath, why can't people see elves anymore? What has driven them out of their natural habitat?
Monday, August 6, 2012
Beowulf #9
Look at the religious references in the poem: what are the names for God? What biblical events are mentioned, and who mentions them? What specifically pagan practices (sacrifice, burial, augury, etc.) are described? How do the characters see their relationship to God (or the gods)? Why would a Christian author write a poem about a pagan hero?
Beowulf #7
Who are the Swedes and Frisians? Why are we given so much detailed information about the history of their quarrels with the Geats?
Beowulf #6
Where does the dragon come from? Why does he attack the Geats? Is the dragon a greater or lesser threat than Grendel? Why does Beowulf go to fight him?
Beowulf #5
What do the poets within Beowulf sing about? To whom do they sing their songs? What is the purpose of their performances?
Beowulf #4
Who is Unferth, and why is he so hostile to Beowulf? Why is he allowed to speak that way?
Beowulf #3
Trace the history of the hall Heorot – why was it built, what happened within its walls, how and by whom was it destroyed?
Beowulf #2
What is Grendel’s lineage? What do the characters in the poem know about Grendel? How is this different from what we the audience know?
Beowulf #1
Who is Scyld? Where does he come from? Where does he go? What does he do? Why does the poem begin here, rather than with Hrothgar and Grendel?
Britain Before the Renaissance Project
Post here what 1) area of life and 2) what work you will be examining in your September 10 presentation. This is also a good place to have discussion/ask questions about your topics and projects.
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