1. Final Exam Review

2. Definition of Archetype A recurrent narrative design, pattern of action, character type, themes or image which is identifiable in a wide variety of works of literature. An archetype is the first real example or prototype of something (as the Model T is the prototype of the modern automobile). In this sense an archetype can be considered the ideal model, the supreme type or the perfect image of something (Brunel 111-112, 11)

3. Consider a hero or heroine from a film or story familiar to you. How does that character’s journey fit the archetypal journey?

4. Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know:  Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today.  Some of the characters in the poem actually existed.  The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11 th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

5.  The actual poem probably dates from the 8 th century (700’s) or so, and…  The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D.  There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.

6. King Alfred The Great Vikings invaded in 9 th century- brought pagan gods, destroyed monasteries. Alfred the Great of Wessex fought the Vikings; ruled for 50 yrs.

7. King Alfred The Great The Viking reign of terror was stopped by King Alfred of Wessex. – He led the Anglo-Saxons against the Vikings/Danes. – He established a Dane law in which England was formally divided: the Anglo-Saxons ruled in the South; the Danes ruled in the East and North.

8. Alfred the Great Cont. Built a navy Translated literature Promoted learning Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 1066 Battle of Hastings - end of Anglo-Saxon, Old English period. “When Angles and Saxons came hither from the East, Sought Britain over the broad-spreading sea, Haughty war – smiths overcame the Britons, Valiant earls got for themselves a home.” from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle

9. Battle of Hastings 1066 William the Conqueror – descendent of Viking raiders Norman Invasion (France / Normandy) Bayeux Tapestry depicts the battle. Tremendous influence on the English language. Normans / French-speaking introduced many French words into the English language itself. Brought European influence to England

10. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means “whale- road,” but can be translated as “sea”

11. The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Other kennings from Beowulf: banhus = “bone-house” = body goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” = generous prince beaga brytta = “ring-giver” = lord beadoleoma = “flashing light” = sword

12. Plato’s Historical Context Political philosophy’s origin occurred around 400 B.C. in the city of Athens. Socrates, the first known political philosopher, considered human things as opposed to the pre- Socratics who focused on the fundamental principles governing the universe. Socrates scrutinized the human condition by seeking common opinions about political and moral subject matter and then submitted these opinions to rational scrutiny through a dialectical method.

13. Plato’s Historical Context - Continued Plato recorded the activities of Socrates in a series of dialogues that are still appreciated for their beauty and wisdom. Plato was part of an aristocratic Athenian family, some of whose members were dedicated to overthrowing the Athenian democracy. He traveled late in his life to the island of Sicily and tried unsuccessfully to reform the rule of the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius II. He founded a school of philosophy in Athens known as the Academy and Aristotle was one of his students.

14. Plato’s Historical Context Plato focused on the problem of the relationship of the philosopher to his community. The philosopher’s quest for truth about political things places the unquestioned opinions necessary for the community’s survival into jeopardy. Plato’s Republic attempts to reconcile the philosopher and the community by showing how the interests of the city (polis) and the philosopher can be harmonized.

15. http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=TYKNAdbhQ- w&feature=related

16. The Feudal System Under the feudal system, the king awarded land grants or fiefs to his most important nobles, barons, and bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies.

17. MEDIEVAL LIFE Cooperation and Mutual Obligations KING LORDS (VASSALS TO KING) KNIGHTS (VASSALS TO LORDS) Fief and Peasants Military Aid Food Protection Shelter PEASANTS (SERFS) Pay Rent Fief and Peasants Food Protection Shelter Farm the Land Homage Military Service Loyalty FEUDALISM: POLITICAL SYSTEM  Decentralized, local government  Dependent upon the relationship between members of the nobility  Lord and his vassals administered justice and were the highest authority in their land MANORIALISM: ECONOMIC SYSTEM  Agriculture the basis for wealth  Lands divided up into self-sufficient manors  Peasants (serfs) worked the land and paid rent In exchange for protection  Barter the usual form of exchange

18. Catholic Church Hierarchy The Pope Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Priests

19. The Catholic Church Expands Its Power The Church becomes more of a political entity Struggles with monarchs – Gregory VII and Henry IV Expanded land ownership Henry IV of GermanyPope Gregory VII

20. The Monastic Movement Became popular in the 5th century Arose as a reaction against the increasing “worldliness” of the Church Monasteries: secluded religious communities Benedictine monasticism: vows of chastity, poverty, obedience St. Benedict

21. Background Introduction

22. The Journey Begins... Chaucer uses a religious pilgrimage to display all segments of medieval England. The Canterbury Tales begins with a Prologue, – Narrator, presumably Chaucer himself, meets 29 other pilgrims at the Tabard Inn, located in a suburb of London. As the pilgrims prepare for their journey, the host of the Inn, Harry Bailey, sets a challenge: – Each pilgrim tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two stories on the return trip. The person who tells the best tale will be treated to a feast hosted by the other pilgrims.

23. The Journey Begins... The Canterbury Tales is actually a story about stories, twenty-four different tales set within the overarching tale of the pilgrimage. Definition: – Frame Story – a story within a story The Outer Frame Story is about the pilgrims meeting at the Tabard Inn preparing for a journey to Canterbury. The Inner Frame Story would be all the stories told by the assembled pilgrims along their journey to and from Canterbury.

24. Snapshots of an Era... In the Prologue, Chaucer sketches a brief but vivid portrait of each pilgrim, creating a lively sense of medieval life. The description may literally describe an article of clothing, but figuratively imply something about that character. Definition: Satire - a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule. – Like sarcasm... He says one thing, but means another. – Our job is to read and comprehend the literal description of each pilgrim, and then, we must figuratively interpret what Chaucer is trying to imply about that pilgrim’s character.

25. Snapshots of an Era... Two types of Satire: – 1. Juvenalian - After the Roman satirist Juvenal: Formal satire in which the speaker attacks vice and error with contempt and indignation Juvenalian satire in its realism and its harshness is in strong contrast to Horatian satire. {Serious – Critical} – 2. Horatian - After the Roman satirist Horace: Satire in which the voice is indulgent, tolerant, amused, and witty. The speaker holds up to gentle ridicule the absurdities and follies of human beings, aiming at producing in the reader not the anger of a Juvenal, but a wry smile. {Light – Funny}

26. Snapshots of an Era... Satire (continued... ): – Also, so that we might better understand his satirical characterization, Chaucer creates SATIRIC NORMS. – A SATIRIC NORM is a character that represents the perfect ideal. – We can then see how BAD everyone else is by comparing them to this Satiric Norm.

27. Snapshots of an Era... In the Prologue, Chaucer examines three segments of Medieval England: – 1. The Old Feudal order – these are all of the pilgrims associated with the feudal class system. Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Plowman... – 2. The Merchant Class – this was the rising middle class of the time; towns and cities were emerging and therefore necessitated the need for skilled services: Merchant, Man of Law, Guildsmen, Cook... – 3. The Ecclesiastical (Church) Class – these were all of the members of the church. Chaucer is most critical of this segment of his society. Prioress, Monk, Friar, Pardoner...

28. A Literary Tour... Chaucer uses the popular genres of his time when he creates the inner stories of the various pilgrims: – Romances (tales of chivalry) The Wife of Bath’s Tale – Fabliaux (short, bawdy, humorous stories) The Miller’s Tale – The stories of saint’s lives, sermons The Parson’s Tale – Allegories (narratives in which characters represent abstractions such as Pride or Honor). The Pardoner’s Tale Chaucer wrote much of the Tales using his own form, the heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables each.

29. Literary Analysis Characterization – Direct characterization presents direct statements about a character, such as Chaucer’s statement that the Knight “followed chivalry, / Truth, honor....” – Indirect characterization uses actions, thoughts, and dialogue to reveal a character’s personality. By saying “he was not gaily dressed,” for instance, Chaucer suggests that the Knight is not vain and perhaps takes the pilgrimage seriously enough to rush to join it straight from battle.

30. Literary Analysis Each character in The Canterbury Tales represents a different segment of society in Chaucer’s time. By noting the virtues and faults of each, Chaucer provides social commentary, writing that offers insight into society, its values, and its customs. While reading, draw conclusions from the characters about Chaucer’s views on English society.

31. Geoffrey Chaucer c. 1343-1400 Considered the father of English poetry Wrote in the vernacular – common language of the people (English) Served as a soldier, government servant, and member of Parliament Introduced iambic pentameter First writer buried in Westminster Abbey

32. Information for the Essay Prompt Anglo Saxon Hero Tragic Hero