Comparing Beowulf And The Pardoner's Tale
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EPIC, “BEOWULF,” AND CHAUCER’S “THE PARDONER’S TALE”
This paper tackles how literary history allows us a glimpse into the past, specifically from two classic literary pieces, Beowulf and The Pardoner’s Tale. Both tales show how past historical events and tensions are written to show how historical literature can provide insight into the traditions and societal conventions of the time in which they were written. Beowulf is known to be one of the earliest surviving works of English literature. The story has been passed down from generation to generation for so long that no one really knows the author to the great piece anymore. It circles around the first century when the environment surrounding society at …show more content…
The tale firstly focuses around three men who had come upon the news that their friend had died. The news had brought them grief. This grief, along with the fact that many people had been dying in their land at that point, drove them to seek death and get their vengeance. But along the way, they had crossed paths with an ancient man. This man apparently was tired of his old age and had wanted to die, but Death would not grant his wish. So the three men, hearing of Death, forced the ancient man to tell them where he is. The old man then told them which way to take so that they may chance upon Death who would surely not backdown from their challenge in killing Him. But upon reaching the oak tree to which the old man had directed them, they found instead coins of gold. The thought of killing Death had left them and they had decided to draw lots, in order to determine to whom the gold would go to. The youngest among them had won, and so, went into town to bring bread and wine for the group while the others watched over the treasure. As soon as he left, the two plotted to kill him when he got back. Little did they know that the younger man had plotted to kill both of them using poison mixed with wine. The story ends with all three of them dead. Now this story is a classic tale of the struggle between good and evil. Instead of seeking out Death, death had instead come
This paper tackles how literary history allows us a glimpse into the past, specifically from two classic literary pieces, Beowulf and The Pardoner’s Tale. Both tales show how past historical events and tensions are written to show how historical literature can provide insight into the traditions and societal conventions of the time in which they were written. Beowulf is known to be one of the earliest surviving works of English literature. The story has been passed down from generation to generation for so long that no one really knows the author to the great piece anymore. It circles around the first century when the environment surrounding society at …show more content…
The tale firstly focuses around three men who had come upon the news that their friend had died. The news had brought them grief. This grief, along with the fact that many people had been dying in their land at that point, drove them to seek death and get their vengeance. But along the way, they had crossed paths with an ancient man. This man apparently was tired of his old age and had wanted to die, but Death would not grant his wish. So the three men, hearing of Death, forced the ancient man to tell them where he is. The old man then told them which way to take so that they may chance upon Death who would surely not backdown from their challenge in killing Him. But upon reaching the oak tree to which the old man had directed them, they found instead coins of gold. The thought of killing Death had left them and they had decided to draw lots, in order to determine to whom the gold would go to. The youngest among them had won, and so, went into town to bring bread and wine for the group while the others watched over the treasure. As soon as he left, the two plotted to kill him when he got back. Little did they know that the younger man had plotted to kill both of them using poison mixed with wine. The story ends with all three of them dead. Now this story is a classic tale of the struggle between good and evil. Instead of seeking out Death, death had instead come