1.

BEOWULF CRITICAL ESSAY (Cycle 1)

Does Beowulf fit into the definition of epic? Epics are long narrative poems that narrate

great deeds or achievements of a hero who represents the values of their culture. Epics

emphasize a conflict between the good/ evil and the struggle that a hero has to overcome in order

to achieve something valuable. Beowulf meets all these characteristics mentioned above. The

main character in this poem is Beowulf, who represents the values of the Anglo-Saxon culture

and the poem as well. It reflects loyalty, courage, sense of justice, persistence and strength.

Epics often deal with war or conflicts where the character has to fight one-on-one, as in

the three battles featured in this poem. In The Battle with Grendel, Beowulf has to fight him

one on one. As Beowulf and Grendel battled across them, Hrothgar wise men had fashioned

Herot to stand forever; only fire. (352-353). He killed Grendel by ripping off his arm and the

Danes celebrated the victory. In this battle there is a conflict between good and evil. This is what

an epic is about therefore it shows how Beowulf fits on the definition of an epic. Beowulf also

fights Grendels mother who seeks revenge after he killed her son. The text says, For hours he

sank through the waves; at least he saw the mud of the bottom.(469-470) He goes to the lake

and takes this challenge once again. And again, he is capable of killing this monster by using his

bare hands. Beowulf eventually becomes a King who rules for fifty years. The author says

When a dragon menaces his kingdom, Beowulf, now and old man, determines to slay the

beast. (p.56) finally, he shows strength and power when the dragon becomes a danger to the

Geats and he is able to defend them. The three battles display heroism from Beowulfs side

because he performs outrageous and superhuman deeds which are characteristic of an epic.

Epics feature tragic deaths such as the tragic death of Beowulf himself. Beowulf has a

strong admiration for the values of his society. He suffers severe pain throughout the three battles

in order to save his people/ Beowulf is willing to risk his life at any moment. My hands alone
shall fig for me, struggle for life against the monster. God must decide who will be given to

deaths gold grip. (266-270) He leaves his life in hands of God and if anything happens at least

he would die by knowing that he was helping his people. In the last battle, he gives his

everything. He ever did deserve an end like this, dying miserably and alone, butchered by this

savage beast. (769-771). Beowulf killed the dragon with the help of Wiglaf, but is mortally

wounded. Epics show tragic deaths such as this and therefore this poem does fit into the

definition of an epic.

Additionally, epics involve heroic searches just like Beowulfs journey to Denmark. He

volunteers to go on this quest himself. The author states: the strongest of the Geats-greater and

stronger than anyone anywhere in this world. (110-111). This evidence shows how the author

describes the hero as a leader as he undertakes an extraordinary journey. Beowulf quickly

commanded a boat fitted out, proclaiming that he would go to that famous king, would sail

across the sea to Hrothgar now when help was needed. (113-116). He volunteers to help his

people, which is considered in his society, a positive quality of a hero, and therefore it how the

character goes on a quest to then become a hero.

The setting of this poem also makes it an epic because it happens in the known world in this case

Denmark and Sweden. Gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings also take part in an epic. In

this case, Grendel and his mother and the dragon are creatures that take part of this poem.

Grendel is a demon and his mother as well. Conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain,

murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abels death. (20-24).

The author tells us in this particular verse where Grendel comes from. Therefore, Beowulf does

fit into the definition of epic because in epic gods, demons, and other supernatural creature are

part of it.
Ultimately, Beowulf like all epic poems share a heroic ideal in which also reflects the values in

which it was written. It reflects bravery, intelligence, and strength, sense of justice, loyalty and

persistence. These are qualities and traits that a true hero possesses. Both the Anglo-Saxons and

Beowulf believed in these qualities of an individual. Beowulf narrates the adventures of a great

hero who embodies the characteristics of a particular culture, and therefore it fits in the definition

of an epic.

2. Wife of Bath Essay ( Cycle 2)

Is the Wife of Bath from A Canterbury Tales a feminist?

During the Medieval Period, the gender roles of women were viewed as inferior to men.

In the Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath is one of the most controversial characters due to the

fact that questions about the perspective of a typical womans character at that time. She is

portrayed to us as a strong lady with great courage. She is not afraid to tell her story during the

pilgrimage neither feels shame to do so. At the beginning of the prolog, she seems to be against

men dominating society but then her actions build many arguments of whether she is a feminist

or not. The Wife of Bath portrays many qualities that seem to fit as more as an anti-feminist than

a feminist.

She uses her attributes for personal gain instead of trying to prove her equal status. The

author says To have me old and ugly till I die, but still a loyal, true and humble wife that never

will displease you all her life, or would you rather I were young and pretty and chance your arm

what happens in a city where friends will visit you because of me, yes, and in other places too,

Which would you have? The choice is all your own. (365-373)This evidence shows that the
Wife of Bath focuses more in marriage to get control of a man. By getting control over a man she

would feel superior. Her main idea is that women need to be ruling bodies in marriage. She does

very little that is truly revolutionary or empowering women of her time.

She is affirming negative generalizations about women and demonstrating that women

are manipulative and misleading. The author says: Twas I who taught this answer to the knight,

For which he swore, and pledged his honor to it, That the first thing I asked him hed do it, So far

as it should lie within his might. Before this court I ask you then, sir knight, To keep your

word and take me for your wife. (196-201) So after telling him the answer to the question he

had been looking for she manipulates the situation to make him marry her. Even though he did

not want to marry her he was forced to do so. This is far from the feminist ideal of solid marriage

since she forced him to marry her and as a result, she ends up being a manipulative woman.

Additionally, in the Wife of Baths Tale, the author says: My hearts well again, the

secrets out! I could no longer keep it, not a doubt.And so you see, although we may hold fast

a little while, it must come out, at last, We cant keep secrets. (123-127) With this evidence,

we can conclude that the Wife of Bath is confirming that women cant be trusted as negative

stereotypes said about them. As a consequence, shes proving the reason why men are still a

dominating society. At the end of the tale, the knight, and the woman has a happy ending after

all, and she becomes obedient to her husband. The Wife of Bath says: And melted in a hundred

thousand kisses, and she responded in the fullest measure with all that could delight or give him

pleasure. She decides to be a housewife and please her husband. She does not try to prove her

equal status , so the man still authoritative.

Ultimately, the Wife of Bath justifies her behavior with her Christian beliefs to prove that

she is a feminist. Some people might argue that Chaucer portrays her as a feminist because she
also shows to be it by showing certain actions but still isn't enough to prove so. However, most

of the qualities that she posses point out that she is not a feminist because she is fighting for

control and power over man rather than her own rights. She uses her attributes for personal gain

instead of proving her equal status and independence from men. She is not a feminist fighting

for the rights of all women.

3. Essay Topic #2(Cycle 3)

Macbeth demonstrates the complexity of the Shakespearean tragic hero. Discuss.

In ancient Greek and of course in the Shakespearean tragedy ends with a downfall or the

death of the main character in the story. William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in the seventeenth

century which was based on a true story about a King of Scotland. The main character in the

story is a clear example of a tragic hero. But, what is a tragic hero? A tragic hero is an

outstanding person with heroic qualities whose downfall is caused by his own flawed behavior.

However, Shakespeare puts certain factors in the story which cause the degeneration of Macbeth

going from a noble person to evil. Some of the factors that cause this are the witches prophecy,

Lady Macbeth dominance over him and his character. Lastly, Macbeths greed and ambition for

power caused his downfall.

The prophecies of the witches are one of the factors of Macbeths downfall. In the

beginning of the story, Macbeth is described as a chivalrous and loyal soldier whose highly

respected by his surroundings. However, the weird sisters tell him that hes going to be Thane of

Cawdor, Thane of Glamis and King of Scotland. He is awarded the title as Thane of Cawdor as

deserve it. He eventually follows through the prophecies to become king. So, he kills King

Duncan and by doing this he creates his own sense of guilt and disaster. Even when the witches

appeared again, they warned him that someone would do something to him but, he didnt listen.
Macbeths attitude and qualities start to change from this point on as he sees how the prophecy of

the witches is coming true.

Lady Macbeth influences and manipulates Macbeth judgment. The influence of

Macbeths wife is also a meaningful factor that Shakespeare puts in the play to make this

character a tragic hero. Lady Macbeth becomes dominant over him and shes the one who plots

the murder of King Duncan. She couldve killed him with his own hands but she says that he

looks like his father. Even though Macbeths feelings got on the way, somehow his wife manages

to convince him. Lady Macbeth questions Macbeths manliness and uses her tactics to make him

kill Duncan so he would become king. Macbeth kills Duncan but then he regrets it but its too

late. It was Macbeths first crime and the only solution to keep the throne. This shows how Lady

Macbeth is also one of the factors that contribute to Macbeths downfall.

Macbeths ambition drove his desire to be king no matter how causes the degeneration

this character as well. After killing the king, Macbeth becomes powerful, bloody thirsty and

greedy which ultimately destroys him. Furthermore, this is shown when he kills Banquo, one of

his closest friends. He is banished from what might have been a glorious life because of

everything he has done. He slowly relies on the witches prophecies and his wife. He keeps the

secret about the murder of Banquo from his loved wife. And additionally, he doesnt want

Banquos sons to become kings so he sends to murder Macduffs wife and children. Now

Macduff wants to get revenge for the death of his family. Macbeth establishes his own fate. This

shows how Macbeth falls into that of a tragic hero by his own fault.

Ultimately, the weird sister's prophecies, Lady Macbeth dominance in their relationship

and Macbeths ambition led him to degenerate his own character. The tragic hero described in

ancient Greek is perfectly shown by Macbeth. We see someone whos very loyal and honest to
his king and country. But later, hes influenced by the factors mentioned above and he becomes

someone different. Macbeth went from a novel to evil and it was just matter of time to become a

tragedy. Throughout the play, the witches prophecies come true so Macbeth makes every

possible effort to contribute to it. Lady Macbeth is Macbeths mentor who guides him to his first

murder which would become the only way to keep his throne. Macbeths ambition causes his

own downfall. Therefore, Macbeth is a clear example of a tragic hero because his downfall is

caused majorly by his own flawed behavior.

3. Soliloquy Macbeth, Act I Assignment (Cycle 3)

My mother will find out what happen either way. Im screwed!I cant tell her that I was

the one who broke her favorite lamp. Ill get into serious trouble. But wait my brother could

broke the lamp. He has been throwing things around this past weeks. Hmm My mom would

believe me that he broke her favorite lamp. But Im going to feel guilty forever. I would rather

take the blame to myself. Growing up means taking responsibility of your actions and I have to

do that. My phone might be taken away and that would be the end. My brother is not guilty but I

am. Ill be grounded if I take the blame, my brother wont. Hes already used to get in trouble.

Two weeks is way too much for me. Im going to miss my friends sweet sixteen. My brother

should take the blame because he does not go anywhere. Forget it. I want my parents to trust me

more and know that Im being mature. Im thinking about the speech that my mom has to give,

including the chores Ill have to do. Im going to be doing the laundry for the following two

weeks. My mom is coming home any minute. I guess this is it Ill take the responsibility for

breaking the lamp. Getting grounded for two weeks, it cant get any worse!

4. RESPONSE TO LITERATURE (Cycle 4)

Ben Jonson was an English poet whose brilliant style made him become one of the most
important figure in English literature. His poetry has been the subject of may critics in past and

present years. His impressive style of writing has become the basis for many poets around the

world. Some critics have complained that Jonson style is dull. Critics such as Douglass Bush

defends the work of the poet from the criticisms: ...Jonson demanded the ageless classical

virtues of clarity, unity, symmetry and proportion His poems are wholes, not erratic displays of

verbal fireworks. The critic sees Jonsons poetry as accurate and simple. He also seems that

they dont lack emotions or contain verbal abuse. I personally believe that his work contains the

best lyric poetry because Jonson uses different types of techniques to present the poems.

Therefore, I support Bushs claim in supporting Jonsons poetry.

In general, Jonson displays his versatility by writing many lyrical poems that illustrate

contemporary people. The poems, Song: To Celia and Still to be Neat describe a particular

woman. The central idea of these poems is love. He uses alliteration to create a poetic structure

in the poem Song:To Celia. The repetition of sounds in a poem can provide pleasure by

emphasizing the key words and images. For instance in line 6, the words drink and divine

are used to emphasize how valuable is the mistresss kiss to the speaker. Furthermore, he repeats

this technique in line 9 with the words rosy and wreath, which show a connection with

nature.

Compared to his theme in the second poem (Still To Be Neat), Jonson declares that he

prefers a natural and simple woman. In lines 7-8: Give me a look, give me a face, that makes

simplicity a grace. The poet suggests that women usually hide their natural beauty under

makeup. Therefore, it cant move a mans heart. Jonson makes a connection between the speaker

and his mistress through examples of consonance as well as world place. Within the text we can

see how he ends the lines 2,4,6, and 8 with the words mine, wine, divine, and thine. By
doing this, Jonson reinforces the point he is trying to make. In the same poem Bush supports the

point that Jonson is a writer who claims his own feelings through his poems.

Ben Jonson also wrote "On My First Son," he struggled for the classical virtues of clarity, unity

and symmetry as well as proportion. This poem laments the death of Jonsons son and we

imagine how he felt in that time. It expresses a current sadness in this elegy. The poem appears

in a group of epigrams that show grief and sorrow. I think this technique used by Jonson play

important role in the writing of this poem. He uses a clear expression of ideas in which the reader

is able to identify what the speaker is trying to express. The main reason why he is characterized

as a great lyrical poet is because he places direct ideas to have a clear understanding of the text.

Ultimately, Jonsons poetry may be criticized by the style he uses in many of his poems. As

diverse as his styles are, though, one of his consistent strengths is the clear, direct expression of

ideas. The poetry of this English writer expresses issues when someone dies and when we

struggle to love. Bushs claim relates my point of view towards Jonsons work. He did not shut

his thoughts however in the contrary, he expressed them in his writings.