The French Revolution opened up the Romantic period in Britain. This revolution was what any monarch would have feared, being overthrown by commoners. The French Revolution also brought into use the guillotine. During the revolution a man named Napoleon Bonaparte took over France.
The Industrial Revolution was a massive change for life in the 19th century. People started losing their claims on their land, and moving into cities to find factory work. Laissez-faire economic policies contributed to the undermining of the working class.
Life at this time would have been very full of turmoil, and strife. The people living in this time probably had most of the same problems we have now though.
Romantic poets wanted to express our relationship with nature, and how it shows us everything we could ask for. They also wanted to express the concept of imagination.
In The Poison Tree by William Blake A man holds in his hate so long that it grow into a tree in his garden, his enemy sees it and wants to steal it, and tries, and dies. The Symbolism shows that it is romantic poetry, in that the hate expressed by the first man is manifested in the form of a tree. The two qualities of romantic literature that I stated earlier can be found in this poem, it has all of the imagination and natural beauty.
In The Sun Has Long Been Set by William Wordsworth a setting is described. Wordsworth asks a question though, "Who would "go parading" In London, "and masquerading," On such a night of June With that beautiful soft half-moon, And all these innocent blisses? On such a night as this is!". I do have to agree with Wordsworth, nights are better spent outdoors.
I read Inscription on the Monument of a Newfoundland Dog by Lord Byron. it was very passionately written. This poem spoke more of the society of man than of nature.
Inscription on the Monument of a Newfoundland Dog, 1808
When some proud son of man returns to
earth,
Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth,
The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of
woe,
And storied urns record who rest below:
When all is done, upon the tomb is seen,
Not what he was, but what he should have
been:
But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his master's
own,
Who labors, fights, lives, breathes for him
alone,
Unhonored falls, unnoticed all his worth,
Denied in heaven the soul he held on
earth:
While man, vain insect! hopes to be for-
given,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power,
Who knows thee well must quit thee with
disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship is all a cheat,
Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush
for shame.
Ye! who perchance behold this simple urn,
Pass on - it honors none you wish to mourn:
To mark a friend's remains these stones
arise;
I never knew but one, - and here he lies.
In To The Moon by Percy Bysshe Shelley, I read a question to the moon about what it cared about. It didn't answer. the element of nature comes into play in this short poem.
"To the Moon"
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Art thou pale for weariness
Of climbing Heaven, and gazing on the earth,
Wandering companionless
Among the stars that have a different birth,--
And ever changing, like a joyless eye
That finds no object worth its constancy?
In Bright Star by John Keats, a star is spoken of in relation to human life. Nature also comes heavily into play in this poem, however i think that the imagination of this writer took the cake.
Victorian Era
The potato blight of 1845 created a huge economic problem for England's occupants. Those who emigrated to England from Ireland lived in cramped and unclean situations.
The Reforms of the 1840-1900 era did so much for the world of today, they created child labor laws, and suffrage laws, and public schooling to improve literacy.
To live in this time must have been incredible, to live amongst so many people, and in such squalor, but still be able to have a political voice. It must have been tough though to live in a place that was so unfair to the lower class.
The biggest difference between the Romantic period, and the Victorian period is the wastefulness of the latter. The Victorians thought that they were evolving into a more refined being, but they weren't, they were just eating the earth. It is bad that we have carried on that tradition of destruction.
The Victorian period's poetry doesn't really interest me because it uses the same form as Romantic poetry. There isn't any change! They just complain about how bad things are getting, but they don't do any thing but talk.
In reading the work of Alfred, Lord Tennyson i found a good poem that he wrote, A Farewell. In this poem he speaks of a creek flowing, and telling the water that goes by that he will never see it again. He may have meant it in a way that would reflect on the industry that was polluting their waters.
Robert Browning wrote My Star, in his poem he explained that he had a beautiful star, and it shined red and blue, then he found out that it wasn't a star. Yet he didn't care, and said he still loved it. I think that Browning wants the reader to think that, "No matter what something truly is, you can still love it for what you see".
Matthew Arnold speaks of Human arrogance, and folly in Dover Beach. In his poem he writes of the sound of the ocean being a sad thing. He says that we think that the earth is full of love and opportunity for expansion, but that is wrong. he uses the sound of the surf to emulate the clash of armies at night.
Channel Firing was written by Thomas Hardy. in this poem guns fire and wake the dead in a church yard. the skeletons think it is judgment day, but as it turns out its just stupid war hungry humans. this poem was written 4 months before WWI.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Restoration
The Glorious Revolution did many things. It removed James the second from kingship, and began parliamentary democracy in England. The Glorious Revolution saw the Bill of Rights instated as well.
The Glorious Revolution is important because, our country to based on the parliamentary democracy that began during the 1680's. without James the seconds overthrow we wouldn't be living in the same place that we are living right now.
Satire is a literary device used to convey criticism of a topic by using comedy.
Some modern day examples of satire are political comics of George bush with monstrous ears, or those making fun of his stupidity.
Response to "A Modest Proposal": This is the most obvious example of satire, because he really doesn't want to eat children, and use the poor as breeding stock. He uses such a cool manner that at first I believed he was serious. He brings to light many different concerns for the poor in that time period, even though those concerns are still here today.
I read "A journal of the plague year" by:Daniel Defoe
While reading this i found that i liked the story about the piper the best. The text says that a piper fell asleep in an alley, had the dead piled next to him, and then was loaded of on a dead cart still sleeping. When he came to the pits he was awoken and scared the cart driver half to death.
I am very happy that i don't have to experience that kind of setting and horror. I wish that they knew what we know now about the plague, that it is carried by fleas on rats, and that fire can remove it.
I don't know what was most important to people living in this era, but if i had to make an educated decision i would say one of two things. The first being fun during the time that you are alive, and the second being the idea of an after life. When i mention the after life i say that it was important to them because they were beginning to question it for one of the first times (in recent history).
IN a journal of the plague year i read a story about one man who fallowed the dead cart that contained his now deceased family. When the cart stoped at the pit, and the cart bearers started chuncking bodies out the grieving man was surprised by the way that the bodies were treated. then he figured that it was the best way to do it, just chunck them into a pit and add lye and dirt.
The Glorious Revolution is important because, our country to based on the parliamentary democracy that began during the 1680's. without James the seconds overthrow we wouldn't be living in the same place that we are living right now.
Satire is a literary device used to convey criticism of a topic by using comedy.
Some modern day examples of satire are political comics of George bush with monstrous ears, or those making fun of his stupidity.
Response to "A Modest Proposal": This is the most obvious example of satire, because he really doesn't want to eat children, and use the poor as breeding stock. He uses such a cool manner that at first I believed he was serious. He brings to light many different concerns for the poor in that time period, even though those concerns are still here today.
I read "A journal of the plague year" by:Daniel Defoe
While reading this i found that i liked the story about the piper the best. The text says that a piper fell asleep in an alley, had the dead piled next to him, and then was loaded of on a dead cart still sleeping. When he came to the pits he was awoken and scared the cart driver half to death.
I am very happy that i don't have to experience that kind of setting and horror. I wish that they knew what we know now about the plague, that it is carried by fleas on rats, and that fire can remove it.
I don't know what was most important to people living in this era, but if i had to make an educated decision i would say one of two things. The first being fun during the time that you are alive, and the second being the idea of an after life. When i mention the after life i say that it was important to them because they were beginning to question it for one of the first times (in recent history).
IN a journal of the plague year i read a story about one man who fallowed the dead cart that contained his now deceased family. When the cart stoped at the pit, and the cart bearers started chuncking bodies out the grieving man was surprised by the way that the bodies were treated. then he figured that it was the best way to do it, just chunck them into a pit and add lye and dirt.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Sonnets
1. i prefer Shakespeare's iambic pentameter to Spencer's rhyming pattern.
2. Sonnet 18 (Shakespeare) Shakespeare compairs someone to nature in order to describe their beauty, but in the last two lines he states that nature is this persons beauty. There is no comparison, they are one in the same.
Sonnet 30 (Spencer) Spencer compairs his and another's love to flames, and ice. he uses this metaphor to show how we want what we can have.
3. Sonnet 15 (Shakespeare)
When I consider every thing that grows A
Holds in perfection but a little moment, B
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows A
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment; B
When I perceive that men as plants increase, C
Cheered and cheque'd even by the self-same sky, D
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease, C
And wear their brave state out of memory; D
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay E
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight, F
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay, E
To change your day of youth to sullied night; F
And all in war with Time for love of you, G
As he takes from you, I engraft you new. G
In the first part of this poem, he says that the earth is really a large stage, in which we preform plays for the stars.
Perhaps in the second part he is trying to say that humans are part of the play in life, only more destructive.
The third part is about eventual death in human life.
and the fourth part is about how he will renew the life of his love, with love.
Sonnet 75 (Spencer)
One day I wrote her name upon the strand, A
But came the waves and washed it away: B
Again I wrote it with a second hand, A
But came the tide, and made my pains his prey. B
Vain man, said she, that doest in vain assay B
A mortal thing so to immortalize, C
For I myself shall like to this decay, B
And eek my name be wiped out likewise. C
Not so (quoth I), let baser things devise C
To die in dust, but you shall live by fame: D
My verse your virtues rare shall eternize, C
And in the heavens write your glorious name. D
Where whenas Death shall all the world subdue, E
Out love shall live, and later life renew. E
In the first part Spencer writes a girls name in the sand and it is washed away, and again a second time.
In the second part she tells him that it is vain to try to immortalize her in this way, because she will die in time.
In the third part he tells her that she will live forever in his poem.
In the fourth part he tells her that they will live forever together as words on a page for future generations to read and "remember".
This is my sonnet about cigarettes
How can I live without my cigarette?
They keep me sane and free from homicide,
I’m not in jail, and that’s a benefit,
Though my lungs now contain some cyanide.
I have twenty cylindrical friends,
All that they need is some friendly fires,
Who are willing to sit and make amends,
Without speaking of setbacks and mires.
They make me feel like I am not alone,
Even though I am the one who gets burned,
Truly I am made of skin and bone,
They say that you will get what you have earned.
Cigarettes are smoked by the romancers,
It won’t matter, when we die of cancer.
2. Sonnet 18 (Shakespeare) Shakespeare compairs someone to nature in order to describe their beauty, but in the last two lines he states that nature is this persons beauty. There is no comparison, they are one in the same.
Sonnet 30 (Spencer) Spencer compairs his and another's love to flames, and ice. he uses this metaphor to show how we want what we can have.
3. Sonnet 15 (Shakespeare)
When I consider every thing that grows A
Holds in perfection but a little moment, B
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows A
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment; B
When I perceive that men as plants increase, C
Cheered and cheque'd even by the self-same sky, D
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease, C
And wear their brave state out of memory; D
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay E
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight, F
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay, E
To change your day of youth to sullied night; F
And all in war with Time for love of you, G
As he takes from you, I engraft you new. G
In the first part of this poem, he says that the earth is really a large stage, in which we preform plays for the stars.
Perhaps in the second part he is trying to say that humans are part of the play in life, only more destructive.
The third part is about eventual death in human life.
and the fourth part is about how he will renew the life of his love, with love.
Sonnet 75 (Spencer)
One day I wrote her name upon the strand, A
But came the waves and washed it away: B
Again I wrote it with a second hand, A
But came the tide, and made my pains his prey. B
Vain man, said she, that doest in vain assay B
A mortal thing so to immortalize, C
For I myself shall like to this decay, B
And eek my name be wiped out likewise. C
Not so (quoth I), let baser things devise C
To die in dust, but you shall live by fame: D
My verse your virtues rare shall eternize, C
And in the heavens write your glorious name. D
Where whenas Death shall all the world subdue, E
Out love shall live, and later life renew. E
In the first part Spencer writes a girls name in the sand and it is washed away, and again a second time.
In the second part she tells him that it is vain to try to immortalize her in this way, because she will die in time.
In the third part he tells her that she will live forever in his poem.
In the fourth part he tells her that they will live forever together as words on a page for future generations to read and "remember".
This is my sonnet about cigarettes
How can I live without my cigarette?
They keep me sane and free from homicide,
I’m not in jail, and that’s a benefit,
Though my lungs now contain some cyanide.
I have twenty cylindrical friends,
All that they need is some friendly fires,
Who are willing to sit and make amends,
Without speaking of setbacks and mires.
They make me feel like I am not alone,
Even though I am the one who gets burned,
Truly I am made of skin and bone,
They say that you will get what you have earned.
Cigarettes are smoked by the romancers,
It won’t matter, when we die of cancer.
The Middle Ages
The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of wars fought by the Christians against the Muslims over the "Holy Land". The Crusades were grotesque at best. The Christians killed all who opposed them, sacking cities in the name of god. The pope sanctioned many of the Crusades and gave the wars a religious agenda.
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was the Archbishop of Canterbury, when King Henry 2’s followers murdered him. Becket and King Henry had once been good friends, one the king of a country, and the other a priest of the order. A falling out happened and King Henry said, "Who will rid me of the meddlesome priest?" Four knights took his words as an order, and plotted to kill Becket. Once the murder had taken place, the King atoned for what had happened by sitting in Becket’s tomb for a night.
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was created in 1215 in England to limit the power of the English monarchy. It didn’t really work in that point in time, but it was given clauses and eventually became a very well respected document. Many different country’s first declarations were based on the Magna Carta.
The Black Death
The Black Death was a pandemic that killed over one third of Europe’s population. The Black Death is commonly accepted to be the fault of the bubonic plague, and is thought to be carried by fleas on rats. The Black Death changed Europe by forcing all of its inhabitants to live for the moment, and to question religion. Art changed during the Black Death as well; it became more morbid and full of death. There are paintings of people of all walks of life, dancing with corpses and skeletons.
Canterbury Tales
The Knight
The Knight in this story is the stereotypical knight. He is good at being a knight. He fights in duels of honor and defends the defenseless. "A KNIGHT there was, and what a gentleman, Who, from the moment that he first began, To ride about the world, loved chivalry, Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy."
The Squire
The Squire came with the knight and is a smaller carbon copy of the knight (he is the knights son). The Squire seems to be more of a dandy than the knight is. "With him there was his son, a young SQUIRE, A lover and a lively bachelor, With locks well curled, as if they'd laid in press."
The Yeoman
The Yeoman seems to be a woodsman and dresses accordingly, but we don’t hear much about him besides his dress. "And in his hand he bore a mighty bow. A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face. Of woodcraft he knew all the useful ways." The Yeoman came with the knight.
The Prioress
The Prioress is a nun who is very courtly and well mannered. "Graciously she reached for food to dine. And certainly delighting in good sport, She was very pleasant, amiable - in short."
There is also another nun, and three priests.
The Monk
A Monk came along as well, he is a hunter. The Monks clothing is covered in fur from his kills. "A MONK there was, one of the finest sort, An outrider; hunting was his sport; A manly man, to be an abbot able. Very many excellent horses had he in stable: And when he rode men might his bridle hear, Jingling in the whistling wind as clear,"
He seems to be fat and greedy from his description.
The Friar
Hubert the friar seems like a good character in this tale. He is poor, but rich in heart. "He was an easy man in penance-giving He knew how to gain a fair living, For to a begging friar, money given is sign that any man has been well shriven."
The Merchant
The merchant is an unimportant character, and I don’t like the fact that he is "into" his money so much. "His boots were fastened neatly and elegantly. He spoke out his opinions very solemnly, stressing the times when he had won, not lost"
The Clerk
This is a great character. I relate to him much more than any of the previous characters. YAY EDUCATION! "For he would rather have at his bed's head some twenty books, all bound in black or red, Of Aristotle and his philosophy than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery."
The Sergeant of the Law
The sergeant of the law is a respectable character. The text states that he is very good at his job, and therefor has become very wealthy. The best part of this character is the fact that nothing bad has been said about him, he seems to be an intelligent, wealthy, and, over all, well rounded human being. "At least it seemed so, his words were so wise. Often he was a judge in court, in assize, By royal assignment or commission giving jurisdiction; Because of his knowledge and high reputation, He took large fees, had robes more than one."
The Franklin
The Franklin’s introduction is all about food. He seems to be a man with a lot of "lust for life". "His house was never short of food and pies of fish and flesh, and these in large supplies it seemed to snow therein both food and drink of every dainty that a man could think."
The Haberdasher, Carpenter, Arras-maker, Dyer and Weaver
This group of characters is all wearing the same clothes and has nice weapons. They seem to be very wealthy. "Their belt and their purses too, I tell. Each man of them appeared a proper citizen to sit in guildhall on a dais, he can and each of them, for wisdom he could span, was suitable to serve as an alderman."
The Cook
He apparently makes good food. "A COOK they had with them, just for once, To boil the chickens with the marrow-bones, And poudre-marchant tart and galingale. He knew how to recognize a draught of London ale."
The Shipman
The shipman is described as a tested, tried, and true person. He also is very knowledgeable with the sky. "His harbours, and his moon, his pilotage, There was none such from Hull to far Carthage. Hardy and wise in all things undertaken, By many tempests had his beard been shaken. He knew well all the havens, how they were."
The Physician
The physician is a good doctor, but the money he earns through his practice has gone to his head. "He kept the gold he gained from pestilence. Since gold in physic is a cordial, Therefore he loved his gold exceeding all."
The Wife of Bath
This character is a worldly person; having gone to many far away places. She also is well mannered and respectable. "Three times she'd travelled to Jerusalem; And many a foreign stream she'd had to stem; At Rome she'd been, and she'd been in Boulogne, In Spain at Santiago, and at Cologne. She could tell much of wandering by the way: Gap-toothed was she, it is the truth I say."
The Parson
The parson leads by example, he is very devoted to the teachings in the bible. He is not hasty in any way. "I think there never was a better priest. He had no thirst for pomp or ceremony, nor spiced his conscience and morality, But Christ's own law, and His apostles' twelve He taught, but first he followed it himselve."
The Plowman
This is a simple farmer who is devoted to god. "He loved God most, and that with his whole heart At all times, whether it was easy or hard, And next, his neighbour, even as himself. He'd thresh and dig, and never thought of wealth, For Christ's own sake, for every person poor, Without payment, if his power could assure."
The Miller
The miller is as strong as an ox, and as merry as a bird. "His mouth was like a furnace door for size. He was a jester and knew some poetry, But mostly all of sin and obscenity. He could steal corn and three times charge his fee."
The Manciple
This character is like a snake in the grass. He seems to be a smooth talker as well. "To learn the art of buying victuals; Cash or credit, he knew all the rituals, That he knew the markets, watched them closely, and found himself ahead, he did quit nicely."
The Reeve
The Reeve is responsible for taking care of his lord’s affairs, and he is very good at what he does. "His lord's sheep and his cattle and his dairy cows, 600 His swine and horses, his stores, his poultry house, Were wholly in the Reve his managing; And, by agreement, he'd gave reckoning."
The Summoner
The summoner sounds like a nasty drunk. "No borax, ceruse, tartar, could discharge, Nor ointment that could cleanse enough, or bite, To free him of his boils and pimples white, Nor of the knobs located on his cheeks. Well loved he garlic, onions, and also leeks, and drink strong blood red wine untill dizzy. Then would he talk and shout as if he's crazy."
The Pardoner
I’m not really quite sure how to respond to the pardoner… "With him there rode a noble PARDONER of Rouncival, his friend and his compeer; straight from the court of Rome had journeyed he. Loudly he sang "Come hither, love, to me,""
The Millers Tale
Ha, Ha, Ha! That was truly funny. I have an uncle that can’t tell a serious story once he has drunken, and this story sounds like one of his. My family has a strong tradition of verbal story telling. We tell stories that are somewhat like Canterbury Tales, only with more twists and turns. Reading this story made me want to finish reading all of the Canterbury Tales.
I’m not sure how each of these pieces of literature relate to the middle ages, besides the time period they were written in. From what I have read I can gather that the Middle Ages were full of death, life, rain, the ocean, problems with money, wars, births, and every day existence. It seems to me that the Middle Ages were just about the same as modern times, only with a different accent.
The Crusades were a series of wars fought by the Christians against the Muslims over the "Holy Land". The Crusades were grotesque at best. The Christians killed all who opposed them, sacking cities in the name of god. The pope sanctioned many of the Crusades and gave the wars a religious agenda.
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was the Archbishop of Canterbury, when King Henry 2’s followers murdered him. Becket and King Henry had once been good friends, one the king of a country, and the other a priest of the order. A falling out happened and King Henry said, "Who will rid me of the meddlesome priest?" Four knights took his words as an order, and plotted to kill Becket. Once the murder had taken place, the King atoned for what had happened by sitting in Becket’s tomb for a night.
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was created in 1215 in England to limit the power of the English monarchy. It didn’t really work in that point in time, but it was given clauses and eventually became a very well respected document. Many different country’s first declarations were based on the Magna Carta.
The Black Death
The Black Death was a pandemic that killed over one third of Europe’s population. The Black Death is commonly accepted to be the fault of the bubonic plague, and is thought to be carried by fleas on rats. The Black Death changed Europe by forcing all of its inhabitants to live for the moment, and to question religion. Art changed during the Black Death as well; it became more morbid and full of death. There are paintings of people of all walks of life, dancing with corpses and skeletons.
Canterbury Tales
The Knight
The Knight in this story is the stereotypical knight. He is good at being a knight. He fights in duels of honor and defends the defenseless. "A KNIGHT there was, and what a gentleman, Who, from the moment that he first began, To ride about the world, loved chivalry, Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy."
The Squire
The Squire came with the knight and is a smaller carbon copy of the knight (he is the knights son). The Squire seems to be more of a dandy than the knight is. "With him there was his son, a young SQUIRE, A lover and a lively bachelor, With locks well curled, as if they'd laid in press."
The Yeoman
The Yeoman seems to be a woodsman and dresses accordingly, but we don’t hear much about him besides his dress. "And in his hand he bore a mighty bow. A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face. Of woodcraft he knew all the useful ways." The Yeoman came with the knight.
The Prioress
The Prioress is a nun who is very courtly and well mannered. "Graciously she reached for food to dine. And certainly delighting in good sport, She was very pleasant, amiable - in short."
There is also another nun, and three priests.
The Monk
A Monk came along as well, he is a hunter. The Monks clothing is covered in fur from his kills. "A MONK there was, one of the finest sort, An outrider; hunting was his sport; A manly man, to be an abbot able. Very many excellent horses had he in stable: And when he rode men might his bridle hear, Jingling in the whistling wind as clear,"
He seems to be fat and greedy from his description.
The Friar
Hubert the friar seems like a good character in this tale. He is poor, but rich in heart. "He was an easy man in penance-giving He knew how to gain a fair living, For to a begging friar, money given is sign that any man has been well shriven."
The Merchant
The merchant is an unimportant character, and I don’t like the fact that he is "into" his money so much. "His boots were fastened neatly and elegantly. He spoke out his opinions very solemnly, stressing the times when he had won, not lost"
The Clerk
This is a great character. I relate to him much more than any of the previous characters. YAY EDUCATION! "For he would rather have at his bed's head some twenty books, all bound in black or red, Of Aristotle and his philosophy than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery."
The Sergeant of the Law
The sergeant of the law is a respectable character. The text states that he is very good at his job, and therefor has become very wealthy. The best part of this character is the fact that nothing bad has been said about him, he seems to be an intelligent, wealthy, and, over all, well rounded human being. "At least it seemed so, his words were so wise. Often he was a judge in court, in assize, By royal assignment or commission giving jurisdiction; Because of his knowledge and high reputation, He took large fees, had robes more than one."
The Franklin
The Franklin’s introduction is all about food. He seems to be a man with a lot of "lust for life". "His house was never short of food and pies of fish and flesh, and these in large supplies it seemed to snow therein both food and drink of every dainty that a man could think."
The Haberdasher, Carpenter, Arras-maker, Dyer and Weaver
This group of characters is all wearing the same clothes and has nice weapons. They seem to be very wealthy. "Their belt and their purses too, I tell. Each man of them appeared a proper citizen to sit in guildhall on a dais, he can and each of them, for wisdom he could span, was suitable to serve as an alderman."
The Cook
He apparently makes good food. "A COOK they had with them, just for once, To boil the chickens with the marrow-bones, And poudre-marchant tart and galingale. He knew how to recognize a draught of London ale."
The Shipman
The shipman is described as a tested, tried, and true person. He also is very knowledgeable with the sky. "His harbours, and his moon, his pilotage, There was none such from Hull to far Carthage. Hardy and wise in all things undertaken, By many tempests had his beard been shaken. He knew well all the havens, how they were."
The Physician
The physician is a good doctor, but the money he earns through his practice has gone to his head. "He kept the gold he gained from pestilence. Since gold in physic is a cordial, Therefore he loved his gold exceeding all."
The Wife of Bath
This character is a worldly person; having gone to many far away places. She also is well mannered and respectable. "Three times she'd travelled to Jerusalem; And many a foreign stream she'd had to stem; At Rome she'd been, and she'd been in Boulogne, In Spain at Santiago, and at Cologne. She could tell much of wandering by the way: Gap-toothed was she, it is the truth I say."
The Parson
The parson leads by example, he is very devoted to the teachings in the bible. He is not hasty in any way. "I think there never was a better priest. He had no thirst for pomp or ceremony, nor spiced his conscience and morality, But Christ's own law, and His apostles' twelve He taught, but first he followed it himselve."
The Plowman
This is a simple farmer who is devoted to god. "He loved God most, and that with his whole heart At all times, whether it was easy or hard, And next, his neighbour, even as himself. He'd thresh and dig, and never thought of wealth, For Christ's own sake, for every person poor, Without payment, if his power could assure."
The Miller
The miller is as strong as an ox, and as merry as a bird. "His mouth was like a furnace door for size. He was a jester and knew some poetry, But mostly all of sin and obscenity. He could steal corn and three times charge his fee."
The Manciple
This character is like a snake in the grass. He seems to be a smooth talker as well. "To learn the art of buying victuals; Cash or credit, he knew all the rituals, That he knew the markets, watched them closely, and found himself ahead, he did quit nicely."
The Reeve
The Reeve is responsible for taking care of his lord’s affairs, and he is very good at what he does. "His lord's sheep and his cattle and his dairy cows, 600 His swine and horses, his stores, his poultry house, Were wholly in the Reve his managing; And, by agreement, he'd gave reckoning."
The Summoner
The summoner sounds like a nasty drunk. "No borax, ceruse, tartar, could discharge, Nor ointment that could cleanse enough, or bite, To free him of his boils and pimples white, Nor of the knobs located on his cheeks. Well loved he garlic, onions, and also leeks, and drink strong blood red wine untill dizzy. Then would he talk and shout as if he's crazy."
The Pardoner
I’m not really quite sure how to respond to the pardoner… "With him there rode a noble PARDONER of Rouncival, his friend and his compeer; straight from the court of Rome had journeyed he. Loudly he sang "Come hither, love, to me,""
The Millers Tale
Ha, Ha, Ha! That was truly funny. I have an uncle that can’t tell a serious story once he has drunken, and this story sounds like one of his. My family has a strong tradition of verbal story telling. We tell stories that are somewhat like Canterbury Tales, only with more twists and turns. Reading this story made me want to finish reading all of the Canterbury Tales.
I’m not sure how each of these pieces of literature relate to the middle ages, besides the time period they were written in. From what I have read I can gather that the Middle Ages were full of death, life, rain, the ocean, problems with money, wars, births, and every day existence. It seems to me that the Middle Ages were just about the same as modern times, only with a different accent.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Canterbury Tales
I have begun reading Canterbury Tales and have found that it isn't quite as difficult reading as I thought it would be. The spelling is a little bit odd, but if you read it as you would speak it the text is fairly simple. I have only read through the Friar's tale so far. The rest is still to come!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Sherlock Holmes to pg 145
Curently I am reading a book of short stories know as The Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.
In reading I see that the character Sherlock Holmes solves his cases by deductive reasoning. In every story he is observing every detail in order to get a clearer pictrure. I think that Doyle wanted this character to act this way for a reason, but as of yet i haven't figured it out.
The book is writen from Dr. Watson's point of view. The character Watson is a medical professional and his mind is obviously one that has been molded by an institution of higher education.
Many pages left to read, got to go.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Brian Langham 1/11/07
I enjoyed the story of Beowulf mostly because I like to read fantasy novels in my spare time. My favorite writer uses the same speech in his books and some of the same names and places. I have found that I enjoy stories about ideals and warlike people, ideals of honor and loyalty to ones blood kin and to ones friends. Even though this story ended because of Beowulf’s foolish pride.
Beowulf also was just a fun read. The story has enough background that the reader can really feel what Beowulf feels. When Beowulf almost felt obligated to go and destroy Grendel’s mother, because he had just exchanged one evil for another in maiming Grendel.
The question I would like to ask is how would Beowulf feel, and act, if he were to be transported into this day and age. War has become almost mechanic, and valor and honor can be changed by the amount of money in an enemy’s pocket. Our leaders are caught and held by treachery and will not even speak truthfully to the people they rule.
Beowulf is the epitome of Anglo-Saxon culture, in the way that he was a warrior of endless strength in battle, in his foolish yet boundless since of courage(ex.But a warrior of Hygelac's heard of Grendel's doings;he was the strongest of menalive in that day, mighty and noble.). The Anglo-Saxon people were obviously a war-like culture and prided themselves on physical strength and wisdom in battle. To be anything less would make you a coward(ex.He who once ruled a nation was encircled by fire; no troop of friends, strong princes, stood around him: they ran to the woods to save their lives.). The Anglo-Saxons also seemed to have very well defined ideals about loyalty. This can be seen when Beowulf faces his last battle, and only one of his men comes from beneath the trees to aid him, and that last man names the others as cowards(ex.Yet in one of themwelled a sorrowful heart.That true-minded one didn't forget kinship. Wiglaf he was called, the son of Woehstan... (Wiglaf said) It isn't proper that we bare shields back to our homes before we can defend our lord and kill the enemy.). I find that this part of the story is more of a warning than a true ending, a warning that those who do not even try to help will lose their names into history forever.
When reading Beowulf I realized that many modern writers use stories or names from this piece of ancient literature. R.A. Salvatore has been one of my favorite writers since I learned how to read. In his novels he uses some of the same locations and names as in Beowulf. Wulfgar son of Hrothgar and the Mead hall of Herot are just a few examples of their similarities. The stories have changed since the Anglo-Saxon times but mostly concerning magic. In modern stories magic is almost celebrated, but in Beowulf magic is evil and something to be afraid of.
Beowulf’s last battle against the dragon showed his true courage, and folly. He at least thought enough to bring a metal shield and not a wooden one. Why did Beowulf hold his own image in such high esteem? I have come to the conclusion that Beowulf fought the dragon not for any of the gold that the dragon held, instead he decided to fight more to let his last battle be a glorious one. I think that he knew he was going to die in the fight, then again he may have just been full of himself and really thought that he could easily conquer a dragon. Many people have died in the same fashion as Beowulf (dying by their own miscalculation), and many more will die in that same way.
I enjoyed the story of Beowulf mostly because I like to read fantasy novels in my spare time. My favorite writer uses the same speech in his books and some of the same names and places. I have found that I enjoy stories about ideals and warlike people, ideals of honor and loyalty to ones blood kin and to ones friends. Even though this story ended because of Beowulf’s foolish pride.
Beowulf also was just a fun read. The story has enough background that the reader can really feel what Beowulf feels. When Beowulf almost felt obligated to go and destroy Grendel’s mother, because he had just exchanged one evil for another in maiming Grendel.
The question I would like to ask is how would Beowulf feel, and act, if he were to be transported into this day and age. War has become almost mechanic, and valor and honor can be changed by the amount of money in an enemy’s pocket. Our leaders are caught and held by treachery and will not even speak truthfully to the people they rule.
Beowulf is the epitome of Anglo-Saxon culture, in the way that he was a warrior of endless strength in battle, in his foolish yet boundless since of courage(ex.But a warrior of Hygelac's heard of Grendel's doings;he was the strongest of menalive in that day, mighty and noble.). The Anglo-Saxon people were obviously a war-like culture and prided themselves on physical strength and wisdom in battle. To be anything less would make you a coward(ex.He who once ruled a nation was encircled by fire; no troop of friends, strong princes, stood around him: they ran to the woods to save their lives.). The Anglo-Saxons also seemed to have very well defined ideals about loyalty. This can be seen when Beowulf faces his last battle, and only one of his men comes from beneath the trees to aid him, and that last man names the others as cowards(ex.Yet in one of themwelled a sorrowful heart.That true-minded one didn't forget kinship. Wiglaf he was called, the son of Woehstan... (Wiglaf said) It isn't proper that we bare shields back to our homes before we can defend our lord and kill the enemy.). I find that this part of the story is more of a warning than a true ending, a warning that those who do not even try to help will lose their names into history forever.
When reading Beowulf I realized that many modern writers use stories or names from this piece of ancient literature. R.A. Salvatore has been one of my favorite writers since I learned how to read. In his novels he uses some of the same locations and names as in Beowulf. Wulfgar son of Hrothgar and the Mead hall of Herot are just a few examples of their similarities. The stories have changed since the Anglo-Saxon times but mostly concerning magic. In modern stories magic is almost celebrated, but in Beowulf magic is evil and something to be afraid of.
Beowulf’s last battle against the dragon showed his true courage, and folly. He at least thought enough to bring a metal shield and not a wooden one. Why did Beowulf hold his own image in such high esteem? I have come to the conclusion that Beowulf fought the dragon not for any of the gold that the dragon held, instead he decided to fight more to let his last battle be a glorious one. I think that he knew he was going to die in the fight, then again he may have just been full of himself and really thought that he could easily conquer a dragon. Many people have died in the same fashion as Beowulf (dying by their own miscalculation), and many more will die in that same way.
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