Analysis Of The Canterbury Tales Chaucer s Second Nun...

AN ANALYSIS OF THE CANTERBURY TALES: Chaucer’s â€Å"Second Nun’s Tale†. Leah Holle REL. 700a: Transitional Moments in Western Christianity 1 November 5th, 2014 Geoffrey Chaucer was a prominent figure within English Literature during the Middle Ages, and is regarded as one of the greatest English poets. Among Chaucer’s works, The Canterbury Tales is arguably one of his most famous pieces. In this fictional work, there is a collection of over 20 stories that are told by pilgrims who are on their way to the Cathedral at Canterbury. It is written in Middle English at the end of the 14th century, during the Hundred Years’ War. It is a story-telling competition between pilgrims, as they travel together on their pilgrimage for a free meal upon their return. Scholars argue that Chaucer began writing The Canterbury Tales around 1387, and concluded around 1400, when he passed away. However, some Chaucer scholars continued working on the unfinished tales. When considering the text of Chaucer, it is also important to take into consideration the historical context, as it leads to deeper understanding. It takes place in the late Middle Ages, where there was a distinct focus on the intercession between the living and the dead. Saints were an important part of medieval culture as they represented the relationship between the divine, and human. They were an integral part of daily life as they served as representations of personal, and ethnic identities.Show MoreRelatedSignificance Of The Second Nun Essay1222 Words   |  5 Pagesthe significance of the second nun we must first look at the duties and life of a traditional medieval nun. Medieval nuns and priests   were expected to live a very devout and highly moral life. Medieval nuns and priests must be fully dedicated to god and christian faith. The daily life of a medieval nun was formulated around three main vows established by St Benedict in 480-550 AD, The vow of Poverty, The vow of Chastity and the Vow of obedience. As dictated by these vows nuns and priests must liveRead More Contradictions in Chaucers The Canterbury Tales Essay3897 Words   |  16 PagesContradictions in Chaucers The Canterbury Tales There is no question that contradictory values make up a major component of The Canterbury Tales. Fate vs. Fortuna, knowledge vs. experience and love vs. hate all embody Chaucers famous work. These contrasting themes are an integral part of the complexity and sophistication of the book, as they provide for an ironic dichotomy to the creative plot development and undermine the superficial assumptions that might be made. The combination of completelyRead MoreA Picatrix Miscellany52019 Words   |  209 PagesLondon, The Warburg Institute, University of London, 1962 French B. Bakhouche, F. Fauquier, B. Pà ©rez-Jean: Picatrix Un traità © de magie mà ©dià ©val. 388 p., 130 x 210 mm, 2003, Paperback ISBN 2-503-51068-X, EUR 37.91. Newest critical edition. French S. Matton, La magie arabe traditionelle, Paris, 1977 (incomplete) Latin Picatrix: The Latin Version of the Ghà ¢yat Al-Hakà ®m, ed. David Pingree (London, Warburg Institute, 1986). Spanish Abul-Casim Maslama ben Ahmad: Picatrix (El fin del sabio y el mejor