Essay Then and Now. The Language of Chaucers General...

Then and Now: Chaucer’s English in The Canterbury Tales:, General Prologue Veronica Perry ENGLISH 550 Professor: David Makhanlall October 6, 2013 The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer is over 600 years old, yet it is still being read and discussed today. What makes it still relevant? History, it gives us a record of Middle English and how it was used at the time. The primary challenge that most reader’s of Chaucer’s General Prologue experience is understanding the language. Although, Chaucer’s English is centuries old it is still recognizable. After studying the language, I noticed the main difference between Middle and Modern English is the†¦show more content†¦For example, Whan and When look similar except for the short vowel /a/ and /e/. The months April and March are spelled the same as modern spellings, so the reader may infer the sounds are the same. Therefore, the modern short vowel rule applies to Middle English as well. Droghte and drought are spelled similarly except for the vowels. The Etymology Dictionary defines droghte as dryness. So droghte and drought are synonyms. (Harper). P erced is also easy for the modern reader to decode. It is spelled nearly the same as pierce except the vowel /i/ is excluded from the Middle English spelling. However, there are passages that aren’t as easily understood. To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; (Chaucer) Modern English translation: Of far off saints, hallowed in sundry lands Here the Middle and Modern words don’t look the same and the word meanings differ as well. Modern English pronunciation reflects the Great Vowel Shift. The shift involved a regular movement of the places of articulation. Front vowels each moved up a notch, except for /i/: which formed a dipthong. Likewise the back vowels moved up, except for /u/, which formed another dipthong (Benson). Another important development that greatly affected Modern English is printing. Printing was introduced into England in the late 14th century (post-Chaucer). This fact contributed more than any single factor to theShow MoreRelated The Tale of Youth1709 Words   |  7 PagesThe Tale of Youth Chaucer’s Squire’s tale has often been disregarded by critics as fragmentary, incoherent, and â€Å"a rambling narrative.† (Lawton 106) These characteristics shed a malevolent light on the tale, and raise questions on the unfinished status in the Canterbury Tales. The argument presents itself due to the interruption of the narrative by the Franklin leaving it without the ending, which has been foreshadowed earlier in the tale. The answer to this enigma is â€Å"pure speculation.† (LawtonRead More Chivalry in Chaucers Canterbury Tales802 Words   |  4 Pagesand an education in French international culture. The legends of chilvalric knights, conversing in the language of courtly love, matured during this later medieval period. 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In fact, Chaucer’s Wife of Bath’s Prologue receives majorRead More The Rich Diversity of Meanings of the Pardoners Tale Essay5609 Words   |  23 PagesThe Rich Diversity of Meanings of the Pardoners Tale Chaucer’s innovation in the Pardoner’s performance tests our concept of dramatic irony by suggesting information regarding the Pardoner’s sexuality, gender identity, and spirituality, major categories in the politics of identity, without confirming that information. Our presumed understanding of the Pardoner as a character lacks substantiation. As we learn about the Pardoner through the narrator’s eyes and ears, we look to fit the nobleRead MoreGeoffrey Chaucer Stance on Feminism1254 Words   |  6 PagesWife of Bath’s Prologue is just one solitary example of the complicated nature of Chaucer’s belief system. On the one hand, we have many strong female characters that despite still being extremely dependant on the men in their lives, know what they want out of life. From a contrasting point of view, readers see a group of men, including Chaucer as the writer himself, making fun of the very nature of women as a whole. Is this really how Chauc er felt towards women, or is the prologue of The Wife ofRead More Chaucers View of the Pardoner as a Character Essay1169 Words   |  5 PagesChaucers View of the Pardoner as a Character In the Pardoner’s Tale, Chaucer presents the Pardoner in a particular light, and being a religious figure, this allows him to make a general statement about religion at the time. Chaucer’s view of the Pardoner as a character, and also as something to epitomise religion at the time, is evident from his use of vocabulary, his style, and by using strong imagery and description. In this way, Chaucer builds the character of the Pardoner as someoneRead More Masculinity in The Wife of Baths Prologue and Tale Essay2175 Words   |  9 PagesMasculinity in The Wife of Baths Prologue and Tale      Ã‚   The Wife of Bath, with the energy of her vernacular and the voraciousness of her sexual appetite, is one of the most vividly developed characters of The Canterbury Tales. At 856 lines her prologue, or preambulacioun as the Summoner calls it, is the longest of any of the pilgrims, and matches the General Prologue but for a few lines. Evidently Chaucer is infatuated with Alisoun, as he plays satirically with both gender and classRead MoreAnalysis Of The Canterbury Tales1157 Words   |  5 PagesChaucer, is arguably the most notable yet controversial work of British Literature. 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As I read The Canterbury Tales I noticed how the rhythm and rhyme differ from modern day English, the vowel are pronounced differently, and many of the words used within this story are no longer used in modern English. Additionally there are three main changes to thatRead MoreCourtly Love in The Knights Tale and The Wife of Baths Tale1353 Words   |  6 Pagesin all matters of action and of speech (267). Chaucer describes the knight in The Canterbury Tales by saying, â€Å"He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde / in al his lyf unto no maner wight. / He w as verray, parfit gentil knyght† (Chaucer 70-72). While Chaucer’s knight is not a true example of courtly love, for Chaucer assigns the Squire that trait, he does possess the qualities of chivalry, which allow him to present a story of courtly love in his tale. While courtly love may seem like a fixation of the

Lady Macbeth the Slayer of King Duncan Free Essays

Lady Macbeth: The slayer of King Duncan In the 7th grade I was suspended from school for being an â€Å"instigator. † I would cause disputes by persuading individuals who didn’t like one another, to hate one another. I’d gradually use my dynamic lingo to provoke the victims in the so called scuffle to get to that final step where they’d lose it and fight. We will write a custom essay sample on Lady Macbeth: the Slayer of King Duncan or any similar topic only for you Order Now I got what I wanted by manipulating the ones who were vulnerable and unsure what to do when placed in a troubling situation. Understanding the consequences, I received the same punishment as if I was in the fight myself. That same exact concept could be used to express how Lady Macbeth is more responsible for slaying King Duncan herself. Throughout the story the audience notices how manipulative and depraved Lady Macbeth can be. She has such a huge impact on how Macbeth thinks and on the actions he makes. Just like any other committed wife, she wants the best for her husband. She wants him to chase his glorious ambition, but fears he may not have enough determination to carry out the devious act in order to become the new â€Å"King of Scotland. † We soon learn that Lady Macbeth will do anything he assist her husband in achieving this glorious ambition. On page 311-312, Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 10-15: Lady Macbeth states, â€Å"That which cries, thus thou must do,† if thou have it, and that which rather thou dost fear to do, than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round, which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal. † This reveals the first step in Lady Macbeth’s plot to slay King Duncan, which is confirming her own opinion on the letter placed before her eyes. These lines allow the audience to visualize who she is as a person and also allows the audience to make a prediction on what move she will make next. After she prays to the spirits to take the feminine features out of her, so she could be a stern and heartless human being, Macbeth returns. This is the exact moment when she begins her act. On page 314, Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 63-65: Lady Macbeth says, â€Å"Only look up clear, To alter favor ever is to fear, Leave all the rest to me,† which basically declares that Lady Macbeth is entirely aware and up to date on what’s going on. She assertively enlightens Macbeth on how to disguise himself of his uncertainty and second thoughts about killing the king and is willing to accommodate Macbeth with anything else he needs assistance with. The second step in her scheme is now in the process of being complete. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are reunited and now Lady Macbeth is preparing her husband mentally to perform the assassination by giving him confidence and tips on how to remain unexposed to suspicion. However, later in Act 1 it is clear that Macbeth didn’t take the advice provided by Lady Macbeth earlier in Scene 5. On pg. 316, Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 31-35: Macbeth adds, â€Å"We will proceed no further in this business he hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, which would be worn now in their newest gloss not cast aside so soon. † Macbeth has decided he will no longer continue with this atrocious plot to murder King Duncan. It could over been over right there. King Duncan could have finished his meal, slept in peace and harmony, and returned home in the morning. Finally, Lady Macbeth slays King Duncan. After Macbeth claims that he will not go through with this dirty business any longer, Lady Macbeth ups her game. Lady Macbeth replies with, â€Å"When Duncan is asleep—Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey Soundly invite him—his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassail so convince that memory, the warder of the brain, shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep Their drenched natures lie as in a death, what cannot you and I perform upon The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon his spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt of our great quell? † She improvises and takes matters a step further. Not only did she provide a new and improved plan to her husband, but assured him that going through with this to strive for his ambition will bring him and herself promising awards. At the end of the act, Macbeth is certain that he will carry out with murdering King Duncan due to the dynamic lingo of Lady Macbeth. In conclusion, an instigator is someone who deliberately foments trouble. Throughout the story the audience can confirm that Lady Macbeth was in fact more responsible for the murder of King Duncan. Her plan of attack contained the three steps which were establishing an opinion, preparing the victim mentally (Macbeth), and providing a plan for execution of the task. Each of these steps contributed to the satisfaction of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s dreams and desires (Lady Macbeth’s intention from the beginning). Lady Macbeth is an instigator and more responsible for slaying King Duncan the Macbeth is. How to cite Lady Macbeth: the Slayer of King Duncan, Essay examples

Dont Judge a Book by Its Cover Essay Example For Students

Dont Judge a Book by Its Cover Essay The serene-looking old lady alongside me softly tugged my arm as I backed away from the chestnut-colored casket, short of breath. She whispered, Its okay, sweetie, your friend rests in a better place now; he wouldnt want you crying, now.   I nodded inertly as I felt the eyes of the seated portion of the congregation burning holes into my back, but I could not allow myself to think of anything else but my friend since middle school, lying in the casket in front of me. As I took my seat in the pew, I put my head down between my legs at a loss for words. It was a rush of emotions I had never experienced in my life, and I did not know how to deal with it. The funeral and viewing of Keith Morgan was a defining moment in my life, because at that very moment, I experienced immense personal growth that completely changed the way I viewed life and acted towards other. My reaction at Keiths body during the viewing only showed that death was evidently something I had never really had to deal with. It hit me hard, and hit me deep. Keith Morgan started middle school with me at Garcia back in 2006. He was always a great person: the kid who shared his lunch with you when you forgot yours at home. The kid who patted you on the back and said Dont worry, its okay   when you missed your free throws during practice. Keith was an overall beautiful person, with a personality I had seldom encountered in my life. He brightened up the whole aura of the school on a sad day; he was a flower spreading its young leaves out of the mud at the start of spring. In middle school, people constantly teased me because of my looks: being too chubby, having bad skin, just about anything people felt like pointing out to make themselves feel better. Too shy to ever stand up for myself, I usually just let the insults roll and kept quiet. But, whenever Keith saw me being picked on or teased, he would always say something. Whether he gave me a shoulder to cry on or stood up to the people bothering me, he was always there. By the time I had entered high school, growing up had taken its place. And people really noticed. Keith took notice almost immediately. The day it became evident that he liked me was around October of freshman year, in 5th period debate. I spent nearly an hour complaining to him about a guy that I had been having problems with for almost a year. Keith told me that I was so much better than all the nonsense he made me put up with. I know,  I told him. But I really like him and I know I shouldnt put up with it, but I just do You need to be with someone wholl treat you like you deserve. Maybe someone like me,  he confessed. When Keith had told me that, I just kept on talking as if I had never heard it, because I was afraid to let him know I didnt think of him that way. I still feel like such a sha llow person to judge him on the outside instead of the amazing personality he had. For the next year Keith and I talked less and less. We dwindled from friends to acquaintances. Nonetheless, when my cousin, Victor, called me to tell me the news of his death, it knocked me down like an 18-wheeler slamming into an old compact. Boom. Boom. Shrack, POW. Gone. The phone suddenly heated up, sending little flames into my hands and burned my ear until I had to drop the phone. I cried for days, and stayed in my room sleeping because I did not want to face reality. I did not know how to deal with what had just happened; I had never had to before. Over the next couple of days, I thought about how I had let someone so amazing, slowly slip out of my life. .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a , .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .postImageUrl , .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a , .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a:hover , .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a:visited , .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a:active { border:0!important; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a:active , .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u143ef20575bb739e318020c78d2dd27a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: A Rose For Emily Symbolism EssayWhen I thought about how I had taken him for granted, I cried even more. The exact moment I stood over his lifeless body, I realized that half of the trivial things we worry about on a daily basis do not really matter in the scheme of life. I then knew that I had to stop being so stuck up: not talking to people that did not dress the way I liked, hang out with the type of people I did, or meet my ËÅ"standards. I felt disgusted with the shallow persona I had grown in to. I began to see so many faults in the way I thought and acted. It became noticeable to other when I actually started becoming a sensitive person. That whole week following Keiths death was a life-changing experience that I needed in order to grow. My first time dealing with death of a close friend was very difficult. However, I think it was exceptionally hard because of the fact that I had taken Keith for granted and overlooked all the wonderful qualities he had, all because he did not fit my criteria of a perfect guy at the time. The moment when I said my last words to Keith, at his funeral, helped me grow because it taught me the value of life, to look beyond looks and personal status, and to appreciate people for what is on the inside.