Essays and Research Papers on Medieval Literature

A 6 page paper which discusses the struggles of women in society. The paper examines changes such as those seen in ancient history involving such stories as Sophocles’ “Antigone” and those in more recent history as suggested by Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House.” Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page research paper that looks at the history of the Teutonic Knights, a military-religious order similar to the better known Templar or Hospitaller Orders of the middle ages. The Teutonic Knights were responsible for bringing Christianity to Eastern Europe through numerous crusades that lasted through to the fifteenth century. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper considers the way that the family is portrayed in Livy's 'History of Rome'. The paper considers the role of the family in a social context as well as within the state as a whole. The bibliography cites 1 source.

A well-organized 11 page research paper on the theme of courtly love in Medieval Literature. The writer focuses upon such authors as Andreas Capellanus, Chretien de Troyes, and others. The role of women, chivalry, etc;-- is elaborated upon using such examples as 'Lancelot' and various other Arthurian romances. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page essay exploring the historical roots of King Arthur. Stresses that the middle age authors who passed on the stories paid little attention to historical setting and that therefore the question of the reality of King Arthur is difficult to answer. Bibliography lists five sources.

A 10 page paper tracing the development of the legend of King Arthur's wife Guinevere from her origins in Celtic tales, through Chretien de Troyes and Thomas Malory, to Alfred Lord Tennyson's treatment of her in 'Idylls of the King.' The paper shows how the perception of a free-thinking and independent woman changed ...

A five page paper looking at whether this Arthurian character’s relationship with Elaine the Maid of Astolat was sinful. The paper concludes that although he did not sleep with her, he broke her heart and drove her to her death. Bibliography lists two sources.

A 5 page outline of the journey undertaken by Siddartha, the main character of the book, in order to obtain harmony. Draws parallels with Buddhism and Hinduism as well as with Hesse's own life. No additional sources are listed.

This seven-page-paper compares and contrasts Heart of Darkness , by Joseph Conrad and Ancient Mariner , by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Bibliography lists four sources.

A 6 page paper which analyzes an essay regarding Chaucer's Pardoner. The essay is titled "Chaucer's Pardoner: His Sexuality and Modern Critics," and is written by C. David Benson. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which discusses 'The Courtier' by Baldissare Castiglione, translated by Sir Thomas Hoby, as it relates to neoplatonic love. The works of other renaissance writers are also presented in defining this common focus of the time period. Those works are 'Paradise Lost' by Milton, 'The Asolani' by Peter Bembo, and 'The First Day' by Boccaccio. No ...

This 8 page paper argues that The Odyssey by Homer, Antigone by Sophocles and Lysistrata by Aristophanes, provide a view of the role of women as progressing from an idealized model of womanhood that was restricted to family roles, to a recognition of the bravery and strength that can be a female attribute. No additional sources are listed. ...

This 5 page paper considers the writing of Plato and how it may upset any idea of security we may have at the same as encouraging independent thought, helping us to become stronger as individuals. The bibliography cites 3 sources.

6 pages. Christine de Pizan was a feminist far ahead of her times. Her book, The Book of the City of Ladies, written in 1405, was the first literary attempt by a woman to write about women. Christine's book defends a concept of reason which is discussed in this paper as well as the relationship between reason ...

A 3 page essay that analyzes the writing style employed by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides in writing his classic history of the Peloponnesian War. The writer focuses on Thucydides' use of narrative and rhetorical arguments. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

The desire for change was Montaigne’s burden. “In this university,” Montaigne writes, “I suffer myself to be ignorantly and negligently led by the general law of the world . . . 'tis folly to hope it . . . . .” Under consideration, "Of Experience" and "Of Custom" to discuss Montaigne's writing and his beliefs. ...

This 5 page paper delves deep into the Odyssey and compares it with other stories such as Beowulf and Gilgamesh. It is even compared thematically with a Jack London story. Comparisons are made in respect to how the story was perceived during the time it was written and in contemporary society. Bibliography lists ...

A 5 page paper which examines how Chaucer’s women are not necessarily feminist writings but merely stereotypical presentations of women in Chaucer’s time period. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

Beowulf and Excalibur are the stories of fighting a monster (poor governance) to bring a country out of the wasteland of evil and tyranny. The kings in these tales will supersede the human frailties of their predecessors. The authors take advantage of the element of kingship and “the chosen,” as has been done since the ...

This 6 page paper provides a tutorial on how to write an ending for the story of Perceval and the Holy Grail. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

If there are examples of gender dynamics, or different gender roles than we have seen in the past, the question presented to us, becomes is there any way to tell what might have made these events occur. Or does the shift in gender roles just occur over a given period of time? Bibliography lists ...

A 4 page paper which examines how gender is constructed in the classic “Don Quixote.” Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper discusses "Assaulted and Pursued Chastity" by Margaret Cavendish and "The Taming of the Shrew" by Shakespeare and how they use dress to represent human sexuality and gender relationships. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 7 page paper looks at both works and supports the view that one similarity is the use of gender. In both works, the authors disparage the female gender in order to elevate the male. The kings in each of these works are discussed in depth. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page paper which examines the gender conflicts present in “Theogony” and “The Works and Days” by Hesiod. No additional sources cited.