HanibalII
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- May 9, 2012
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- Student or Learner
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Hey all, figured I'd share these essays here. I completed them last semester at uni in my Lit class.They both gave me a pass mark, but due to them being first essays submitted at Uni, I figured the teacher marked them easy. Just want a some comments about what all the literary fans around here think about them.
Feel free to pick them apart
For those interested, the Character discussion got a 67% and the Analysis got me 62%
The second essay is quite long. (2000 words) and the first is shorter (1000 words)
So hope you enjoy them!
I'm more or less looking for points as to how I can make my essay writing better.
Essay One - Analysis of lessons learnt
'While medieval romances can be diverse in choice of subject matter, a number feature a knight who, as a result of adventures, learns lessons which make him a better knight'.
To what extent is 'learning lessons' the principal theme in Lanval and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
This essay will explore the theme of lessons learnt and how they are the main feature of these poems, and the impact they have on King Arthur, Lanval, Sir Gawain and the other Knights of the Round Table. Demonstrations of courage, loyalty, honour and mercy will be discussed. In both Lanval and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, learning lessons is the key point. Through both poems it is shown how the characters develop as people, and how they maintain the true importance of being Knights of the Round Table. Lanval is a display of Marie De Frances’ distinctive approach to lais and legends. Though Lanval is set in the time of Arthurian legend, the writer breaks from the traditionalist views of literature at this time, describing King Arthur’s court in a fashion that shows malevolence. (Hazel, n.d.)
Lanval is often described as a 12th century fairy tale. Fairies, seemingly ethereal beings play an important role in the story of Lanval, however they are not the tiny “Tinkerbelle-esque” characters children over the years have grown up enjoying. These fairies are masked in beauty and otherworldly powers, which is a key point in the story, as Lanval is seduced by the fairy queen. Lanval, as a character and a story, describes a chivalric romance. “Its standard plot is that of a quest undertaken by a single knight in order to gain a lady’s favour. It stresses the chivalric ideals of courage, loyalty, honour, mercifulness to an opponent, and elaborate manners.” (Abrams & Harpham, 2012, p.48) Courage, loyalty, honour, forgiveness and courtesy play a large role in Lanval as the story progresses with Lanval completing his quest and learning important lessons regarding these values in the process.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14[SUP]th[/SUP] century poem, describing the quest of Sir Gawain over the period of a year as he begins to accept his fate at the hands of the Green Knight. It is a poem of unknown origin, with no known author. It has the same characteristics as Lanval, following the Chivalric Romance genre of the time. Through the story, Sir Gawain learns unwavering loyalty to his king, and acceptance of his fate which leads to forgiveness at the hand of The Green Knight. Demonstrating morality at the hand of The Green knight, and courage shown by Sir Gawain upon his travels to accept what is to befall him, in protection of the King. “I beseech, before all here, that this melee be mine.” (Abrams et al. p169) Sir Gawain steps forward, arrogant in his words thinking no man could withstand such a blow, but also showing courage, when his life is offered in place of King Arthurs, “And the loss of my life would be least of any.” It is this moment that Sir Gawain must accept what is soon to befall him, when he must learn to accept his responsibility as a Knight, in accepting his fate.
The key lessons learnt involve few of the cardinal sins, which are a key part in Christian beliefs that were dominant in this time frame. Lust is shown by Queen Guinevere when she wishes to take Lanval to her bed. Greed is illustrated by Lanval’s display of joy when he is told that anything he desires will be his. “I shall attend you at your will, all your wishes to fulfill.” (Abrams et al. 2006) Wrath is demonstrated when Lanval replies, in spite, to the Queen’s proposal. Envy is shown by the knights when they talk about Lanval, “they envied him and his handsomeness, his courage, prowess and largesse” (Abrams et al. 2006) Pride is evident when the Queen attacks Lanval’s manhood by implying he is homosexual. These all lead to confrontations of dreadful proportions throughout the story, ranging from the manipulation of King Arthur by Guinevere, to the boastful comments made by Lanval which places him in a dilemma.
Throughout the story, Lanval learns important lessons through his experiences. Due to the Queen’s proposal and subsequently her pride being hurt when Lanval rejected her proposal, Lanval learned to be faithful, both to his King and to his lover no matter what consequences may befall him due to this, despite the fact that infidelity was a common occurrence at this time. The Knights of the Round Table learn courage and true comradeship when Lanval is accused, and support him during this troubled time. “Pledges brought Lanval on the scene. A hundred of them I could count who would have done their best to see him without trial go scot-free.” (Abrams, et al. 2006) This quote demonstrates the great support between brothers in arms and reflects a change in tone from the earlier illustrated envy and malice
Sir Gawain and Lanval learn important “Life Lessons” Throughout the story, which seem to be the main principle theme. During their respective quests they must show courage in the face of oncoming doom that seems to befall them due to their responsibilities or arrogance, both accepting what may or may not come to pass, with Lanval accepting that his lover may not return to rescue him, “Should he be killed, He’d bear it gladly” (Abrams, et al. 2006), and Sir Gawain accepting his fate at the hands of the Green Knight. These displays of receiving one’s own demise shows that they have learnt they cannot escape what they have brought upon themselves, either through arrogance or cowardice, one must always acknowledge and accept ones mistakes. This illustrates that the principal theme of this story is to teach how to accept what you have done, and accept what cannot be changed.
Feel free to pick them apart
For those interested, the Character discussion got a 67% and the Analysis got me 62%
The second essay is quite long. (2000 words) and the first is shorter (1000 words)
So hope you enjoy them!
I'm more or less looking for points as to how I can make my essay writing better.
Essay One - Analysis of lessons learnt
'While medieval romances can be diverse in choice of subject matter, a number feature a knight who, as a result of adventures, learns lessons which make him a better knight'.
To what extent is 'learning lessons' the principal theme in Lanval and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
This essay will explore the theme of lessons learnt and how they are the main feature of these poems, and the impact they have on King Arthur, Lanval, Sir Gawain and the other Knights of the Round Table. Demonstrations of courage, loyalty, honour and mercy will be discussed. In both Lanval and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, learning lessons is the key point. Through both poems it is shown how the characters develop as people, and how they maintain the true importance of being Knights of the Round Table. Lanval is a display of Marie De Frances’ distinctive approach to lais and legends. Though Lanval is set in the time of Arthurian legend, the writer breaks from the traditionalist views of literature at this time, describing King Arthur’s court in a fashion that shows malevolence. (Hazel, n.d.)
Lanval is often described as a 12th century fairy tale. Fairies, seemingly ethereal beings play an important role in the story of Lanval, however they are not the tiny “Tinkerbelle-esque” characters children over the years have grown up enjoying. These fairies are masked in beauty and otherworldly powers, which is a key point in the story, as Lanval is seduced by the fairy queen. Lanval, as a character and a story, describes a chivalric romance. “Its standard plot is that of a quest undertaken by a single knight in order to gain a lady’s favour. It stresses the chivalric ideals of courage, loyalty, honour, mercifulness to an opponent, and elaborate manners.” (Abrams & Harpham, 2012, p.48) Courage, loyalty, honour, forgiveness and courtesy play a large role in Lanval as the story progresses with Lanval completing his quest and learning important lessons regarding these values in the process.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14[SUP]th[/SUP] century poem, describing the quest of Sir Gawain over the period of a year as he begins to accept his fate at the hands of the Green Knight. It is a poem of unknown origin, with no known author. It has the same characteristics as Lanval, following the Chivalric Romance genre of the time. Through the story, Sir Gawain learns unwavering loyalty to his king, and acceptance of his fate which leads to forgiveness at the hand of The Green Knight. Demonstrating morality at the hand of The Green knight, and courage shown by Sir Gawain upon his travels to accept what is to befall him, in protection of the King. “I beseech, before all here, that this melee be mine.” (Abrams et al. p169) Sir Gawain steps forward, arrogant in his words thinking no man could withstand such a blow, but also showing courage, when his life is offered in place of King Arthurs, “And the loss of my life would be least of any.” It is this moment that Sir Gawain must accept what is soon to befall him, when he must learn to accept his responsibility as a Knight, in accepting his fate.
The key lessons learnt involve few of the cardinal sins, which are a key part in Christian beliefs that were dominant in this time frame. Lust is shown by Queen Guinevere when she wishes to take Lanval to her bed. Greed is illustrated by Lanval’s display of joy when he is told that anything he desires will be his. “I shall attend you at your will, all your wishes to fulfill.” (Abrams et al. 2006) Wrath is demonstrated when Lanval replies, in spite, to the Queen’s proposal. Envy is shown by the knights when they talk about Lanval, “they envied him and his handsomeness, his courage, prowess and largesse” (Abrams et al. 2006) Pride is evident when the Queen attacks Lanval’s manhood by implying he is homosexual. These all lead to confrontations of dreadful proportions throughout the story, ranging from the manipulation of King Arthur by Guinevere, to the boastful comments made by Lanval which places him in a dilemma.
Throughout the story, Lanval learns important lessons through his experiences. Due to the Queen’s proposal and subsequently her pride being hurt when Lanval rejected her proposal, Lanval learned to be faithful, both to his King and to his lover no matter what consequences may befall him due to this, despite the fact that infidelity was a common occurrence at this time. The Knights of the Round Table learn courage and true comradeship when Lanval is accused, and support him during this troubled time. “Pledges brought Lanval on the scene. A hundred of them I could count who would have done their best to see him without trial go scot-free.” (Abrams, et al. 2006) This quote demonstrates the great support between brothers in arms and reflects a change in tone from the earlier illustrated envy and malice
Sir Gawain and Lanval learn important “Life Lessons” Throughout the story, which seem to be the main principle theme. During their respective quests they must show courage in the face of oncoming doom that seems to befall them due to their responsibilities or arrogance, both accepting what may or may not come to pass, with Lanval accepting that his lover may not return to rescue him, “Should he be killed, He’d bear it gladly” (Abrams, et al. 2006), and Sir Gawain accepting his fate at the hands of the Green Knight. These displays of receiving one’s own demise shows that they have learnt they cannot escape what they have brought upon themselves, either through arrogance or cowardice, one must always acknowledge and accept ones mistakes. This illustrates that the principal theme of this story is to teach how to accept what you have done, and accept what cannot be changed.