| Papers [1-14] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 8] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 —> | Search results on "EARLY ENGLISH LITERATURE": |
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The History of English Literature, 2003.
A study of the history of English Literature, using the book "An Introduction to English Literature" by Jorge Luis Barges.
2,540 words (approx. 10.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 48.95
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Abstract
A book review of Barges' "An Introduction to English Literature" designed to educate the reader about the rich history of English Literature. Further, the book itself is written by renown author Jorge Luis Barges. His analysis concerning English Literature is focused in: The Anglo Saxon Period; The Fourteenth Century; The Seventeenth Century; The Eighteenth Century; Nineteenth Century Prose; Nineteenth Century Poetry and the end of the Nineteenth Century. Such topics are useful when presenting the reader with a thorough understanding of the history of English literature and writers.
From the Paper
"The author?s preface begins with a general introduction on how essential English Literature is to our society as a whole. Borges also offers the reader a glimpse, of how he strategically compiled essential information concerning the history of English Literature, and writers in sixty-eight pages of text. Evidently, English Literature imparts a wealth of critical information. Further, Borges goes on to explain the significance of English literature: Of all the vernacular literatures which developed during the Middle Ages on the fringe of literature in Lain, that of England is one of the oldest. To put it another way, there are few other texts that can be attributed to the end of the seventh or the beginning of the eight centuries of our era."
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Satire in English Literature, 2001.
This paper compares 3 major works of satire in English literature - "Moll Flanders" "Gulliver's Travels" and "Rape of the Lock"
970 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 4 sources, £ 21.95
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Abstract
This paper explains how satire was one of the most common tools used by writers and poets in the 17th and 18th centuries to either attack the political regime of the time or to highlight the ridiculous traditions of the society. It compares and contrasts three literary works which used this form of expression for political and social purposes.
From the paper:
"It was a tradition in the English Literature during the seventeenth and early 18th centuries that poets and writers would often use the technique of satire either for political purposes or simply to highlight the idiosyncrasies of the society. In this regard many major English literary figures used satire in their work but while some of them used it to create a light humorous situation, others would give it a very harsh tone, which resulted in some serious problems with those who were targeted in the work."
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The Restoration Period of English Literature, 2002.
A look at six works characterizing literature of the restoration period of English literature.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 6 sources, £ 22.95
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Abstract
This essay examines the wit, satire and quest for advancement that characterized the Restoration period of English literature. Works discussed are Pope's "Rape of the Lock," Dryden's "Mac Flecknoe," Johnson's "Vanity of Human Wishes," Congreve's "Way of the World," Swift's "A Modest Proposal," and Behn's "Oroonoko."
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Crime in Old English Literature, 2004.
An argument that the predominant crime in Old English literature is that of anti-heroism through an analysis of the poem "The Battle of Maldon".
1,991 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 4 sources, MLA, £ 40.95
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Abstract
The paper outlines the role of the two Godrics' (the good and the bad) in the Old English poem "The Battle of Maldon" and analyses the beatification of Byhrtnoth. It sticks closely to the poem's use of language as a means of deciding that the main crime of Old English literature is anti-heroism. It expands from here, to surmise that this was the prevalent crime because of the payment of Danegeld and the reign of Aethelred.
From the Paper
"Against a consideration of Byrhtnoth, then, I would like to consider the true perpetrators of the crime of anti-heroism in Maldon: Odda?s sons, who flee after their lord?s death, thus revoking the heroic ideal. I would like to consider first the role of the two Godrics? in the poem. Any reception of either, it must be noted, is moderated by the moral worth that Byrhtnoth instils in the poem. To put it simply, ?bad? Godric is ignoble, fleeing on his master?s horse, and ?good? Godric is virtuous, fighting till the death to avenge his lord. The fact that their names are identical forces one to assume that they are meant as comparative entities in the poem; more than this, there exists an alarming parity in the presentation of each Godric."
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English Literature Over the Ages, 2002.
A look at the changes in English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the eighteenth century.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, £ 27.95
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Abstract
This paper attempts to trace the history of English Literature starting from the Anglo- Saxon period to the Eighteenth Century. The paper attempts to trace the changes through the various important works of the great writers throughout history.
From the Paper
"A look at the poetic tradition of that age shows that most of the old English poetry was more or less intended to be chanted, accompanied with a harp, by the Anglo-Saxon harp scop or bard (Encarta). The poetry was often bold and strong, but at the same time mournful and elegiac in its spirit. The subjects that this poetry expressed were the sorrow and the ultimate futility of life and lamented the helplessness of humans before the power of their fate. The versification pattern of almost all of this poetry was that it was composed without rhyme, in a characteristic line or verse of four stressed syllables alternating with an indeterminate number of unstressed syllables (Encarta). This form of versification strikes strangely, as it is different from the usual modern pattern. Hence this pattern becomes the striking feature of the era of Anglo-Saxon literature. Another striking feature in the formal character of the Old English poetry is structural alliteration that is the use of syllables beginning with similar sounds in two or three of the stresses in each line(Encarta)."
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Parenthood as a Theme in English Literature, 2009.
The paper is a review of English literature pertaining to the subject of parenthood.
1,850 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 7 sources, MLA, £ 37.95
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Abstract
The author of this paper looks at the subject of parenthood as it appears in English literature. The paper discusses works written by authors such as Milton and Shakespeare in the 16th and 17th centuries through to the 20th century and authors such as William Golding and Margaret Atwood.
From the Paper
"The 20th century saw a number of literary developments and experiments. On the one hand, The Lord of the Flies, 1984 and A Brave New World, propose dystopian visions of parenthood. In the first, parental control is totally absent from an aggressive, deathly atmosphere. The second represents twisted political machinery because of which children send their parents to death. The third speculates about the implications of planned parenthood if carried too far. On the other hand, Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (1985) focuses on birth as a metaphor of writing and artistic creation. Atwood likens the conception of a story to the conception of a child, and the writing process to a painful delivery."
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Women in Medieval English Literature, 2002.
An exploration of the role of women in medieval English literature through the examination of different works such as "Beowulf", "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and many other religious and secular lyrics.
1,927 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 12 sources, MLA, £ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper attempts to recognize the modern vision of an ?empowered woman? in medieval English literature since numerous female characters, both religious and secular, demonstrate a power far beyond the traditional sphere of the subservient woman. Examples of such women are the Virgin Mary who appears in many works and the female characters in "Beowulf".
From the Paper
"The medieval romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight also presents the Virgin Mary as a key figure, able to influence men for the better by personifying Christian values, ?representing spiritual love, chastity, obedience and life?(Arkin). At his moment of testing, Gawain draws strength from the image of the Virgin Mary etched on his shield. Mary?s symbolic power, here, is as important as her power to act ? merely seeing her face is a reminder of the courtly ideal. The effects of Mary on medieval literature, as intermediary, voluntary mother, and representative of Christianity, should not be underestimated."
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Early English Drama, 2004.
This paper studies three early English dramas in relation to morality, church and religion.
1,582 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 3 sources, APA, £ 34.95
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Abstract
In this article the writer analyzes three early English dramas 'Noah's Flood', 'The Second Shepherd's Play' and 'Everyman'. The writer discusses these dramas according to their commonalities in relation to morality, Church, and religion.
From the Paper
"The values in art of any era often reflect the most pressing concerns and staunchest values of the culture in which that art is produced. The case is no different in three literary works of early English drama, 'Noah's Flood', 'The Second Shepherd's Play' and 'Everyman'. Each of these works shares commonalities with respect to the values that are exhibited as positive in each of them. All of these plays demonstrate that only a life lived in accordance with Church doctrine and God's commandments will ... "
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Inequality in Marriage in English Literature, 2008.
A discussion of the changing nature of marriage as portrayed through English literature.
4,122 words (approx. 16.5 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 69.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the institution of marriage and how it has changed over time. It looks at the different roles of men and women in marriage and how marriage is shifting from a contractual decision to a love-based decision. The paper discusses examples from English literature to emphasize the ways that the institution of marriage has changed.
From the Paper
"What Dorothea thus learns from her first marriage is that she needs more in her life than to venerate a man. Her second marriage to Will thus is probably the right one, and the one she should have contracted in the first place. Thus, the issues of a second marriage for a young widow is somewhat debated in the small provincial community where Dorothea lives. James for examples, out of his resentfulness finds the idea of a second marriage to be repulsive: "To his secret feeling there was something repulsive in a woman's second marriage, and no match would prevent him from feeling it a sort of desecration for Dorothea."(Eliot, 560) It is at this point however that we see the extent to which Dorothea has evolved an has finally overcome her naivety. Before, she would have never dreamed of ever considering such an impious thing as marrying again, no matter the circumstances. After her experience however, she realizes that marriage is about sharing the life with a loved person and not about being blindly devoted to the idea of the superior man: "Marriage is always bad then, first or second. Priority is a poor recommendation in a husband if he has got no other. I would rather have a good second husband than an indifferent first."(Eliot, 558)"
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Childhood in English Literature, 2009.
An analysis of childhood as a theme in English literature from the 17th century until today.
1,553 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 6 sources, MLA, £ 31.95
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Abstract
The paper explores how our notions of childhood have changed through the centuries and proceeds to show that childhood stands at the heart of many works of literature from which it was initially thought absent. The paper discusses the style of works in the 17th century and conveys the 18th century view on childhood as seen in the works of Bonhote, Rousseau, Eliot, Blake and Wordsworth. The paper then identifies the theme in the literature of the 19th century, as seen in the works of Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Next, the paper looks briefly at contemporary 20th century authors and relates that from this century onwards, there has been a global and unprecedented interest in childhood.
From the Paper
"In 1960, Philippe Aries advanced the hypothesis that the idea of childhood was practically inexistent before the early modern period. The controversy about the existence or absence of the idea prior to that time in history gave rise to a host of studies on childhood. But what does the word "childhood" mean? Our awareness that it refers to a distinct period of human life is natural but how do we determine its duration? How long does childhood last? Many psychologists and Children's Studies specialists have emitted an opinion on the subject and they have come to the conclusion that "childhood" is a complex term. All have agreed that it refers to a set of experiences and behaviours, characteristic for the earlier part of our lives, meant to prepare us for adulthood and active life."
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Women in Old English Literature, 2006.
This paper compares the representation of woman during the period of old English literature as depicted in "Beowulf" (anonymous) and in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
1,100 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 24.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, in "Beowulf", the epic verse of heroism and honor, the major and the majority of the minor characters are male with the women even Grendel's Mother, the monster's mother, appearing to be of little consequence; however, in Geoffrey Chaucer's stories, "The Wife of Bath" and "The Miller's Tale", female characters are central to the stories. The author points out that the Wife of Bath is the narrator of the tale and includes her own mini-autobiography before beginning her tale of the knight; the female character in "The Miller's Tale" is the central point of action, the reason the story moves forward. The paper relates that the women in "Beowulf" are portrayed as being either evil or good; whereas, in Chaucer's tales, the women move from being revered, as in "The Wife of Bath" to being instrumental in creating fools of men by using sexual powers.
From the Paper
"Chaucer begins the "Miller's Tale" by describing the social circumstances surrounding the group. The Miller is drunk and some feel it would be best if he simply passed up his chance to speak and let someone else entertain, however the Miller insists and apologizes in advance for anything that he might say. This tale does not paint the female character as one of wisdom and loyalty as in the Wife's tale, but rather as a lusty young maiden, who much resembles the Wife herself. The Miller explains that his tale is about a carpenter, his young wife, a student and a clerk. The student boarded with the carpenter and his wife, and one day while the carpenter was away, the student came forth with his intentions to the wife, who readily accepted."
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Censorship and English Literature, 2002.
This paper argues against censoring books and literature in a school's English cirriculum.
3,010 words (approx. 12.0 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper examnes the arguments against censorship of literature in the educational system. The author argues that literature allows for the presentation of a wide range of necssary, but sometimes, unpleasant issues, encourages free speech and allows different opinions to be expressed. In this paper's opinion, literature also encourages diversity and is often the students only exposure to different cultures and practices. The author also points out that controversy often encourages dialogue and as a result allows students to form their own, independent ideas. The paper uses examples from different literary works and quotes different educators in order to support these arguments.
From the Paper
"The reality is that a good work of literature very often is shocking to some extent. A comparison of two literature stories that make the same point will illustrate this. These two stories are ?A Secret Sorrow? and ?A Sorrowful Woman.? These two stories have a lot in common. Both deal with a depressed woman whose husband is trying to help her. The major difference is that in ?A Sorrowful Woman? the woman commits suicide and in ?A Secret Sorrow? the woman is helped by her husband and gets better. Both of these stories show how important it is to reach out to people. The difference is that ?A Sorrowful Woman? shows what happens if you don?t and ?A Secret Sorrow? shows how the situation can be saved if you do reach out. While both stories have the same overall meaning it is ?A Sorrowful Woman? that has the most impact. The shock of the ending makes the point much clearer than a happy ending. I believe this same feature is true of most literature ? that it is a shock value in a story that makes it effective. I also believe that the world based on television and movies only makes the shock value more important. Consider how many movies have violence in them. Even though violence is not accepted in society, in movies it is common."
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Early English Literary Criticism, 2004.
An analysis of the artistic works of criticism of Alexander Pope and John Dryden.
2,654 words (approx. 10.6 pages), 4 sources, MLA, £ 50.95
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Abstract
Alexander Pope?s work, ?An Essay on Criticism?, takes the form of a two-part poem. John Dryden?s ?An Essay on Dramatic Posey? takes the form of an extended dialogue between four characters. This paper explains that the ?essays? attempt to formulate critical theories about the proper methodology of poetry and poetic drama, while at the same time, these writers and critics attempt to create artistic works of their own in the process. It examines how, in doing so, both men?s works highlight how the 18th century English poetic and prosaic style of a highly rationalistic, argumentative, and logical artistic approach, often defined as ?Neo-Classical?, could easily be elided with criticism. In other words, art could more easily critiqued in a linear fashion in the Neo-Classical style.
From the Paper
"Long before the structuralists ever attempted to define what constituted the proper way of conceptualizing the narrative art, long before the deconstructionists ever wrote about the socially constructed nature of gender, long before the New Historicists attempted to reconfigure the relationship between text and historical context, the authors Alexander Pope and John Dryden penned their own theories of literary criticism for a far wider audience in their native England. But although both called their works essays, neither authors? central critical text takes the form of a theoretical or critical essay upon the literary art of poetry, prose, and drama."
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Women?s Lack of Agency in Middle English Literature, 2004.
Examines the lack of independence in female characters from Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale" and William Shakespeare's "The Tempest".
948 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 21.95
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Abstract
One of the most striking aspects of the female protagonists in Shakespeare?s ?The Tempest? and Chaucer?s ?The Knight?s Tale? is their apparent lack of agency, or force of independent will, in the face of male dominance and control. This paper shows that women, as such, do not seem to exist in these tales. In other words, unlike the men of these tales, women do not act as individual people or fully-formed characters, either in the contemporary sense or even in the sense that ?character? or ?psychology? may have existed in their creators? respective ages and places. Rather, women in these texts only serve to act as objects or placeholders. This paper explains how they simply live, textually speaking, to serve and to reinforce male notions of honor and power or act as objects of male transfers of power.
From the Paper
"Miranda?s only power is her ability to arise pity and wonder in others. When she expressed her opinion about stopping the tempest, her father dismisses her with the query: ?my foot, my tutor?? In other words, he is amazed that something from his body can have its own volition, namely a daughter, who is something lower than himself, a body part that he stands upon like a foot that cannot teach him anything, morally speaking, and can only cement his physical connections to the earth through generating marital alliances. Prospero forces Miranda to go to sleep when he is distracted, again against her own will. (1.1.) Eventually, her alliance with Ferdinand allows her father to return home to his customary place?her function in society as Prospero?s prop and ?foot? has been fulfilled."
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