Essay Questions for Hilary and Trinity term

Essay questions for Groups 7 & 13.


Answer on one of the following questions. Students must submit an essay of between 2,500 and 3,000 words. Submission deadlines can be found in the freshman student handbook.

1. It is over-devotion to the code of chivalry which brings about the fall of Arthur’s court in the final books of Le Morte Darthur. Discuss.

2. Write on the “redemption” of Lancelot and Guinevere in the final tale of Le Morte Darthur.

3. Discuss representations of evil in Book 1 of The Faerie Queene.

4. Discuss Spenser’s use of romance conventions in either Book 1 or Book 6 of The Faerie Queene. In your essay compare and contrast Spenser’s use of these conventions with that of other writers from the course.

5. Discuss how the contemplative life is contrasted with the life of action in Sidney’s Old Arcadia.

6. Discuss any of the following in relation to Pericles: fortune; fate; magic.

7. Write on “stereotypes” in Shakespeare’s use of the pastoral mode in As You Like It.

8. In any two texts from this course from Hilary or Trinity Term discuss the contrast between courtly love and religious devotion.

The Faerie Queene, Book 1: Questions of the week!

Q1. Discuss the significance of the St. George narrative in book one.

Q2. Discuss lethargy and evil in book one. How are they connected by Spenser?

Q3. Why is it significant that Redcrosse encounters error so early in the book?

Q4. How is Lucifera's palace described? How are to understand Spenser's use of allegory in this description?

Questions of the week! Malory's Le Morte Darthur

Q1. In the penultimate tale, do we see a growing unease among the knights at the apparent openness of Lancelot and Guinevere's relationship? If so, how does Malory direct our reading of this.

Q2. Discuss the significance of the Sir Urry episode in the penultimate tale.

Q3. At the beginning of the final tale, can we, in any way, understand the actions of Mordred and Agravain? Is there a difference between the Knight's pentecostal oath and another social code of behaviour which favours silence? Does it illustrate the irreconcilable conflicts self-evident in the Knight's oath?

Q4. Discuss the ending of Malory's text. Who is blamed for the downfall of the Round Table? Discuss his treatment of the lovers, and also Arthur's death.

Questions of the week! Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Q1. Discuss the significance of numerology in this Romance. In your answer please consider Gawain's shield.

Q2. How is Arthur portrayed in the opening scene of the poem? Is Gawain's acceptance of the challenge a sacrifice for Arthur or his duty?

Q3. Discuss how women are represented in the poem. In your answer please consider the hostess and Morgan le Fay.

Q4. Does the narrative have a "happy" resolution?

Malory: Le Morte Darthur

Dear classes,

we will be looking at the penultimate book of Le Morte Darthur "The Tale of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere" in next week's class. I will be working from the Helen Cooper OUP edition.

Best,

Rory.

Questions of the week! The Knight of the cart

Q1. Discuss the significance of the cart. In your answer please consider Guinevere's treatment of Lancelot.

Q2. Discuss how quickly rumours spread in the text. What social commentary is Chretien attempting to make, do you believe?

Q3. Discuss the comic elements of the story? Does it risk becoming parodic at parts, or is it a straightforward Romance tale?

Q4. Comment upon the significance of the foreword and afterword of the tale? How does it affect our interpretation?