The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century. The tales are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims. The Canterbury Tales‚ the work stands as a historical and sociological introduction to the life and times of the late Middle Ages. he was familiar with and was accepted by the lower classes as well as by the higher classes; thus‚ throughout his life‚ he was able to observe both the highest
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“The true measure of a texts value lies in its ability to provoke the reader into awareness of its language and construction‚ not just its content”. The value of the Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood‚ lies not only within the author’s purpose but within its construction and the author’s ability to draw readers attention to these concepts through language. Atwood has carefully and decisively used language and structure throughout the novel to enhance our understanding of the purpose and message
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Language in The Handmaid’s Tale For centuries‚ “the pen is mightier than the sword” has been the adage du jour. Words do more damage than swords‚ spreading ideas instead of killing people. One dangerous little idea‚ passed among individuals‚ does more damage than any blade could ever do; few armies can hold out against strong ideas. In the state of Gilead‚ words mean everything‚ and they have the ultimate power. The women in Margaret Atwoods’ dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale have very limited avenues
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In the Winter’s Tale‚ Mamillius states that “a sad tale’s best for winter” (2.1.33). William Shakespeare’s ominous beginning immediately arouses the attention of the audience to believe that this play is a tragedy. Unlike many of Shakespeare’s earlier works‚ which consist of more tragedy as the play continues‚ the Winter’s Tale contains a tragic beginning and a happy ending. The play consists of strong elements of both tragedy and comedy; hence‚ making the Winter’s Tale a problem play. Throughout
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When Chaucer finishes telling his tale of Melibee‚ the Host states that he wishes his wife could hear the tale of Prudence and her patience. He goes on to conclude that she is hot tempered by stating “By God’s bones‚ when I have to beat my knaves She goes and fetches great club-headed staves to me‚ and cries out‚ slay the dogs! Lay on and break them up‚ their backs and every bone” (1897-1900). Turning to address the Monk‚ he wishes him to be of good encouragement‚ and asks whether his name is John
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Alexis Zora Professor Motaleb English 115 July 31‚ 2014 Fairy Tales: Old VS Modern While Disney developed a formulaic approach to fairy tales (basic elements in its formula: good prevailing over evil‚ emotional‚ catchy songs‚ cute sidekicks for comic relief‚ young romance‚ funny jokes) it also created a formulaic approach to how young girls set goals or standards (Chan 231). The plot usually containing a story of good prevailing over evil usually occurs with an older woman who is jealous of
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The Tale of Genji and the Tales of Ise‚ both being of the monogatari literature‚ share similarities in their theme of romantic courtship‚ presence of male protagonists famed for their romantic exploits and the presentation of courtly ‘miyabi’ aesthetics. Differences between the two‚ however‚ lie in the nature of their storytelling – while both texts incorporate poetic verses‚ the Tale of Genji is largely written in prose while the Tales of Ise is known as an ‘uta monogatari’ with waka poems being
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In fairy tales‚ the parents attempt to survive in a harsh reality that requires chance and sacrifice. In both “Rapunzel” and “Hansel and Grethel”‚ the characters are faced with financial difficulties and tough decisions. How are they going to survive? How will they feed their children? How are they going to get by? The fairy tales “Rapunzel” and “Hansel and Grethel” are great examples of the parents living a harsh life in the stories. In the story “Rapunzel” the wife is in a critical condition:
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THE CANTERBURY TALES STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS Prologue 1. In lines 1-18 (which are all one sentence)‚ identify the time and the author’s main point. April; the main point is that according to the poet‚ people long to go on a pilgrimage in the Spring. 2. Why does the urge to go on pilgrimage hit people in the spring? Winter is over; it’s time for renewal. 3. Who is at the inn? Who arrives at the inn? What is the central idea? (Look in ll. 19-28). The narrator is at the inn; twenty-nine pilgrims
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Dec 1st‚ 2011 Death. It has many shapes and sizes in books and stories. In Chaucer’s book “The Pardoners Tale‚” it takes the shape of an old man. He is very old and weary and seems like a completely innocent character. But‚ in this tale‚ he is the cause of three deaths. He is the very embodiment of death itself. The first clue to the old man’s identity occurs when he provided the rioters with the directions to find Death. “”Well sirs‚” he said‚ “if it be your design To find out death
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