Geoffrey Robertson

Chaucer’s Genius Many great writers lived during the Middle Ages, but one stands out as the greatest English writers of the time period. Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the greatest English writers of the Middle Ages, and evidence is clearly seen in the General Prologue, “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,” and “The Pardoner’s Tale” in The Canterbury Tales. English was the vernacular language of 14th century England, and Chaucer had a wider influence by writing in a language that was more commonly understood…

“Miller’s Tale” Character Analysis Throughout The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer uses different ways to diversify his characters such as gender, psychology, formalism, and how they are presented throughout the story, this is most evident in the “Miller’s Tale.” Formalism is a literary criticism that focuses on the literal text rather than the history behind the author or the time the article was published. The first character discussed is John the carpenter, he is arguably the most…

“to commemorate such great nuptial ceremonies, [Claudius] built the city which he called Claudiocester”: Unity and Harmony The roll-maker used women to prove a political point that peace, harmony and greatness could be expected from a king if he had a loving and supportive wife. Women were carefully selected by the roll-maker to exhibit this idea in a variety of differing scenarios. If women inspired their husbands to do great things, created successful lineages, had a useful heritage, or were…

Canterbury Essay Geoffrey Chaucer was very clear about the characters he admired and despised in The Canterbury Tales. The prologue was a huge clue in revealing who Chaucer's favorite groups of people were. He had extremely strong opinions of these people in which he expressed through his writing. There were two certain people that Chaucer specifically favored. These people were the knights and the women. Right from the beginning it was very obvious that Chaucer valued the feudal class. In the…

The Book of Kells is considered to be one of Ireland's most valuable national treasures as well as the finest illuminated manuscript created in early medieval Europe.Illustrated by monks, the Book of Columba, as it is also called, serves as the best representative sample of gospel books of its time .Although its content is mainly Christian, its has influenced many different aspects of history, such as art and especially calligraphy because of its elaborate illustrations and ornamentation.The…

principle is prevalent in both Geoffrey Wolff’s The Duke of Deception and Tobias Wolff’s This Boy’s Life, but only through examination of the two. The main protagonist, for the sake of this essay they will be labeled that way, in each memoir is the father figure. For Geoffrey Wolff it is his biological father, The Duke, and for Tobias Wolff it is his step father, Dwight. Both Memoir’s focus…

True nobility can be defined in various ways. One’s perspective of nobility is susceptible to change through one’s experiences and influences. True nobility, however, consists of characteristics that are universally obtained by people of that genuine nature. My definition of true nobility is characteristics of selflessness, chivalry, bravery, and so forth .Any other characteristics similar to the latter ones listed are also in association to my definition of a noble spirit. Famous works of…

Geoffrey Chaucer and Giovanni Boccaccio both use frame stories to get a message across through their writing. Money is the root of all evil is a theme seen in “The Pardoner’s Tale” by Chaucer, and people make great sacrifices for the ones they love is a theme in “Federigo’s Falcon” by Boccaccio. These two selections contrast with each other because the theme in “The Pardoner’s Tale” shows that people act selfishly out of greed while the theme of “Federigo’s Falcon” shows that people act…

realization that Hadleyburg is not what is appears to be. The people pride themselves on their reputation and are comfortable living inside their bubble of fabricated probity. Instead of reflecting on their treatment of others, they focus on sustaining the image of their holy village. To entice the people of Hadleyburg into falling into the strangers trap of a joke, he baits them with a bag of gold. The symbolism behind the bag of money, is comparable to the Garden of Eden. Just like Eve was…

Nuns with dogs. Sycophant Friars. Wives with five husbands. The list continues with greedy, animalistic Pardoners and pimpled Summoners. Such money-driven individuals travelon a pilgrimage to Canterbury, a holy journey to celebrate the martyr Becket. Their titles and positions - often holy and elite - contradicts their actions and desires - selfish and corrupt. With such dynamic characters embodying the problems of the feudal system, Chaucer criticizes and reveals the flaws of the system. By…