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"Beowulf" is a stereotypical example of a hero who embodies the heroic code of the Germanic tribal culture. This code places great emphasis on bravery, loyalty, honor, and the desire for fame and glory. Beowulf's heroic deeds, such as his battles with the monster Grendel and the dragon, perfectly exemplify the ideals of this code. He willingly faces incredible challenges and dangers to protect his people, to uphold his honor, and to earn fame and glory. He demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to his king and his people by traveling to another land to help them in their time of need, “He was keen to embark…his soldiers were ready”(pg 35). Additionally, his refusal to use weapons against Grendel highlights the importance of personal strength and skill, further emphasizing the heroic code's ideals of bravery and honor. Overall, Beowulf's loyalty to the heroic code elevates him to the status of a legendary hero and serves as a model for future generations of warriors.

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In "Beowulf", the hero faces several embodiments of evil that test his strength and courage. The most prominent of these is the monster Grendel, who represents chaos and destruction; “The cursed creature, cruel and remorseless…”(pg. 34). Grendel is an unrelenting force of evil, preying on the innocent and spreading fear throughout the land. Beowulf's defeat of Grendel represents a victory of good over evil, and his subsequent battles with Grendel's mother and the dragon serve to further reinforce this theme. Grendel's mother represents vengeance and revenge “a fearsome female bitterly brooding alone in her lair…since Cain had killed the only brother born of his father”(pg. 57), while the dragon embodies greed and destruction, "Eager and angry, the hoard-guard hunted…How fearsome he felt, how fit for battle” (pg.76).. In each of these battles, Beowulf is forced to confront and overcome these embodiments of evil, ultimately proving himself to be a heroic figure capable of defeating the most formidable foes. These encounters with embodiments of evil serve to highlight the importance of bravery and righteousness in the face of adversity, while also underscoring the significance of the hero's quest for glory and immortality.

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“Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” is a tale that reflects on the complex nature of chivalry. Throughout the story, chivalry is portrayed as an ideal code of conduct for knights, emphasizing traits such as honor, bravery, and loyalty, “and he, king most courteous, who that court possessed”(line 53). However, the narrative also suggests that chivalry is not always easy to live up to. Sir Gawain, the story's protagonist, is a chivalrous knight who is tested when confronted with challenges that require him to compromise his ideals. The Green Knight, who challenges Sir Gawain to a game of beheading, forces the knight to confront his own mortality and the limits of his code of chivalry. Ultimately, the story suggests that chivalry is not just about external displays of honor but also about an inner commitment to doing what is right, even in the face of adversity. By exploring the nature of chivalry in this way, “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” offers a complex portrayal of the values and ideals that defined medieval society.

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The green girdle is a symbol of temptation and understanding in “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight”. After surviving the Green Knight's initial challenge, Sir Gawain is presented with a green girdle by Lady Bertilak, the wife of his host, “...his gorge to his girdle so great and so square”(line 138). The girdle is said to have the power to protect the wearer from harm, and Sir Gawain is initially tempted to accept it as a way of ensuring his safety when he faces the Green Knight again. However, accepting the girdle would violate the code of chivalry and compromise Sir Gawain's honor as a knight. Despite this, Sir Gawain ultimately decides to keep the girdle, placing it around his waist as a reminder of his own frailty and the dangers of temptation. By using the green girdle as a symbol of temptation and compromise, the story highlights the importance of upholding one's ideals and remaining true to one's commitments, even in the face of difficult choices.

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The Miller's Tale is a suggestive and cheeky story that draws heavily on Christian religious imagery and themes. One of the most prominent of these is the story of Adam and Eve, which is referenced throughout the tale. The character of John, the carpenter, is portrayed as a figure who embodies the innocent and trusting nature of Adam, while his wife Alison is likened to Eve, a temptress who lures him into sin. The tale also features several instances of racy humor and sexual innuendo, which serve to underscore the sexual nature of human desire and the fallibility of human beings. By using the story of Adam and Eve in this way, “The Miller's Tale” highlights the irreverent and subversive nature of medieval literature, which often challenged conventional beliefs and values in order to explore the full range of human experience.

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Deceit is a central theme in "The Miller's Tale", which features a complex web of lies and trickery among the characters. The tale is filled with instances of characters deceiving each other, often for their own gain or pleasure “Therfore I wol go sleepe an hour or twaye, And al the night thanne wol I wake and plate” (line 577-578). John, the carpenter, is deceived by his wife Alison and her lover Nicholas, who convince him that a great flood is coming and that he must build a boat to save himself. Meanwhile, Nicholas tricks Absalom, another suitor of Alison, into kissing his bare buttocks by pretending to be her in the darkness “And out his ers he putteth prively, Over the buttock to the haunche-boon” (line 694-695). The characters in the tale are portrayed as crafty and cunning, using deceit to get what they want, often at the expense of others. The tale ultimately suggests that deceit is a fundamental part of human nature, and that it can lead to both pleasure and pain, depending on how it is employed. By exploring the theme of deceit in this way, "The Miller's Tale" provides a satirical commentary on the corrupt and often hypocritical nature of medieval society.

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In “The Wife of Bath”, company is depicted as a crucial element in human happiness and fulfillment. The story's protagonist, Alison, is a woman who has been married five times and is known for her lively personality and love of socializing, “How manye mighte she han in marriage?”(line 23). Throughout the tale, Alison emphasizes the importance of having companionship and community, arguing that a life without friends and lovers is a life half-lived. She sees marriage as a way of fulfilling this need for companionship, and she cherishes each of her marriages as an opportunity to share her life with someone else. However, Alison is also fiercely independent, and she refuses to be dominated by any of her husbands. By emphasizing the importance of companionship and independence, “The Wife of Bath” offers a vision of a fulfilling and happy life that is rooted in personal connections and human relationships. The tale suggests that companionship is essential to human happiness and that it is worth fighting for, even if it means challenging the norms and expectations of society.

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“The Wife of Bath” is a story that boldly challenges traditional patriarchal views of women's bodies and sexuality. The tale's protagonist, Alison, is a woman who revels in her femininity and uses her body as a means of asserting her power and agency, “Crist was a maid and shapen as a man” (line 145). She is unapologetic about her sexual desires and takes pleasure in her physicality, seeing it as a source of strength rather than weakness. Throughout the tale, Alison challenges the idea that women's bodies are shameful or impure, arguing that women have the same right to enjoy their bodies and sexuality as men do; “If I be dangerous, God yive me sorwe: Myn housbonde shal it han both eve and morwe…”(line 157-158). The story also highlights the double standards that exist around gender and sexuality in medieval society, with men being allowed to indulge in sexual pleasure while women are expected to remain chaste and submissive. By exploring the female body in this way, “The Wife of Bath” challenges traditional gender roles and offers a powerful critique of patriarchal attitudes toward women and sexuality.

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“The Knight's Tale” is a story that grapples with the themes of fate and fortune, and the ways in which they shape human lives. The tale's protagonists, Palamon and Arcite, are two knights who become rivals for the love of a woman named Emily. Throughout the story, their fortunes rise and fall as they struggle to win her heart, and they often attribute their successes and failures to the whims of fate. Despite their best efforts, however, it is ultimately the gods who decide their fate: “Thanks be to fortune and her treacherous wheel”, as they are forced to fight a deadly battle for Emily's hand. The story suggests that human beings are at the mercy of forces beyond their control, and that even the noblest of knights can be brought low by fate. At the same time, however, the tale also celebrates the power of human agency and determination, as Palamon and Arcite fight valiantly to win the hand of their beloved. By exploring the theme of fate and fortune in this way, “The Knight's Tale” offers a complex view of human life, suggesting that while we may be subject to forces beyond our control, we also have the power to shape our destiny through our choices and actions.

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“The Knight's Tale” is a story that warns against the dangers of desire and the lengths to which people will go to fulfill their desires. The protagonists of the tale, Palamon and Arcite, are consumed by their desire for the love of Emily, and this desire drives much of the action of the story. However, their desire for Emily ultimately leads to their downfall, as they engage in a deadly battle that results in the deaths of both Palamon and Arcite; “Does outrage on the bodies of our dead, On all husbands, for when they were slain…”. The tale suggests that desire can be a destructive force that blinds people to reason and drives them to act impulsively and recklessly. It can lead people to betray their values, their friendships, and even their own safety in pursuit of what they want. “The Knight's Tale” thus serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked desire, and the need for self-restraint and moderation in one's pursuit of happiness. By exploring the theme of the dangers of desire in this way, “The Knight's Tale” offers a sobering commentary on the limits of human ambition and the dangers of excess.

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“The Nun's Priest Tale” is a satirical fable that parodies the conventions of courtly love, a popular theme in medieval literature. The story features Chauntecleer, a rooster who falls in love with a hen named Pertelote, and spends much of the tale pining after her. Chauntecleer's courtship of Pertelote follows many of the standard tropes of courtly love, such as wooing through poetry and the exchange of gifts; “Of oo thing God hath sente me large grace: For whan I see the beautee if youre face…It maketh al my drede for to dien” (line 393-396). However, the tale ultimately disrupts these conventions, suggesting that courtly love is foolish and self-destructive. Chauntecleer's obsession with Pertelote leads him to ignore the warnings of the wise hen and put himself in danger, ultimately leading to his capture by the wily fox. By criticizing the ideals of courtly love in this way, “The Nun's Priest Tale” critiques the unrealistic and often destructive nature of these romantic fantasies, which often led people to neglect their own safety and well being in pursuit of an idealized love.

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“The Nun's Priest Tale” is a story that explores the theme of deception in a lighthearted and humorous way. Throughout the tale, the fox uses his wit and cunning behavior to deceive the rooster and gain his trust. The fox pretends to be the rooster's friend, flattering him with compliments and telling him stories that distract him from the danger he is in. The rooster, in turn, is deceived by the fox's charms and fails to recognize the danger he is in until it is too late.. The story highlights the dangers of trusting too much in appearances and of being too easily swayed by flattery and deceit. At the same time, however, the tale also celebrates the power of wit and cunning, as the fox is able to outsmart the rooster and escape with his prize; “Ha, ha, the fox, and after him they ran…”(line 615). By exploring the theme of deception in this way, “The Nun's Priest Tale” offers a playful commentary on the corrupt and often hypocritical nature of medieval society, while also celebrating the power of intelligence and cunning in the face of misfortune.

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Throughout the play, many of the characters are engaged in various forms of performance, whether it be the play within the play, Hamlet's own, or the performance of power by the various political figures. These performances serve to highlight the gap between appearance and reality, and to reveal the various ways in which people use performance to manipulate or conceal their true selves, “This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna”(line 240).. At the same time, however, the play also suggests that performance can be a tool for self-expression and empowerment, particularly for those who are marginalized or oppressed, “What, frighted with false fire?...Give o’er the play”(line 269-271). By exploring the theme of performance in this way, Hamlet offers a commentary on the nature of identity and power, and the ways in which performance can both reveal and conceal the truth.

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The question of whether or not Hamlet is truly mad is central to the play, and the audience is left to wonder whether his erratic behavior is the result of genuine insanity, or a calculated strategy designed to deceive his enemies, “Alas, he's mad!” (line 109). The theme of madness is also explored through the character of Ophelia, who becomes truly mad after the death of her father and the rejection of Hamlet. Her descent into madness is a commentary on the restrictive and oppressive nature of the patriarchal society in which the play is set, and the ways in which women are often silenced and marginalized. Through its exploration of the theme of madness, “Hamlet” suggests that the line between sanity and insanity is often blurred, and that the truth can be difficult to discern.

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Ben Jonson's poem "On My First Daughter" is a powerful reflection on grief and loss. The poem was written after the death of Jonson's daughter, Mary, and it explores the complex emotions that he experienced in the wake of her passing; “Yet, all heavens gifts, being heavens due, It makes the father less to rue” (line 3-4). While the poem does not explicitly address religious themes, its reference to Mary's "best piece of poetry" and its emphasis on the importance of love and compassion suggest a belief in the afterlife and the possibility of reunion with loved ones in the hereafter, “This grave partakes the fleshly birth; Which cover lightly, gentle earth” (line 11-12). The poem also highlights the importance of faith and prayer as a source of comfort and solace in times of hardship, suggesting that even in the face of profound loss and sorrow, the love of God and the hope of eternal life can provide a measure of peace and consolation. Through its evocative imagery and poignant language, "On My First Daughter" speaks to the enduring power of faith and love in the face of life's most difficult challenges.

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Ben Jonson's poem "On My First Son" is a powerful exploration of grief, loss, and the nature of love. In the poem, Jonson grapples with his own sense of guilt and responsibility following the death of his young son, “My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy”(line 2). The poem is notable for its honesty and self-reflection, as Jonson confronts his own ego and sense of pride in the face of his son's death. Through its language and tone, "On My First Son" speaks to the ways in which our own sense of self-importance can sometimes blind us to the true nature of love and human connection, “O, could I lose all father, now! For why Will man lament the state he should envy?”(line 5-6). The poem reminds us that the bonds between parents and children, and between all people, are more important than our own egos and desires, and that the loss of a loved one can help us to see the world and ourselves in a new way.

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John Donne's poem "The Flea" is a witty and playful exploration of the themes of love and sexuality. The poem uses the metaphor of a flea to explore the idea of virginity and the desire for physical intimacy. The speaker of the poem uses the flea as a symbol of their love, arguing that the flea has already taken the blood of both the speaker and their lover, “It sucked me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea, our two bloods mingled be”(line 3-4). Therefore they are already joined in a physical and spiritual sense. Through its clever use of language and metaphor, "The Flea" challenges traditional ideas about virginity and the importance of physical purity in romantic relationships. Instead, the poem suggests that love and desire are more complex and varied than simple physical attraction, and that the truest forms of intimacy are those that exist on a spiritual and emotional level, rather than a purely physical one.

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John Donne's poem "The Flea" is a playful exploration of the themes of love and desire, but it can also be read as a commentary on the idea of betrayal in romantic relationships. In the poem, the speaker uses the image of a flea that has bitten both himself and his lover to argue that they are already intimately connected, ““It sucked me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea, our two bloods mingled be”(line 3-4). However, the lover's decision to kill the flea can be seen as a metaphor for betrayal or abandonment. By killing the flea, the lover is rejecting the intimacy that the speaker has tried to establish between them, “Will waste, as this flea’s death took life from thee” (line 27). This rejection can be read as a form of emotional betrayal, and it reads the complex and often unpredictable nature of romantic relationships. Despite its light-hearted tone and playful language, "The Flea" raises important questions about trust, intimacy, and the potential for betrayal in human relationships.

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"Upon the Double Murder of King Charles"-Woman's Silence

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"Upon the Double Murder of King Charles"-Woman's Silence

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"Upon the Double Murder of King Charles" is a poem by John Milton that reflects on the execution of King Charles I and the political turmoil of the time. The poem includes a section where Milton addresses the silence of women in response to the tragedy (“Silence were now a sin: nay passion now” line 7), arguing that they should not be blamed for their lack of action. Milton suggests that women have been conditioned by society to remain silent and that they are often excluded from political discourse. He calls for women to be given a voice and for their opinions to be valued and heard. Which is seen, just visibly looking at the poem as Phillips wrote a poem about the political status of her country at the time. The poem highlights the importance of equal representation in society, and the need to challenge systems of oppression that silence marginalized groups.

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"To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship"- Platonic Love

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"To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship"- Platonic Love

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"To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship" is a poem by Katherine Philips that celebrates the bond of love between two friends. The poem speaks to the depth of love that can be experienced in a platonic relationship, where there is no expectation of physical or romantic intimacy.”For thou art all that I can prize, My joy, my life , my rest”(line 14-15), there is no physical intimacy here, and this can be expressed as some sort of emotional “love” that she has for her “friend”. Philips expresses her admiration and gratitude for her friend Lucasia, praising her, and the connection they share. The poem highlights the power of love to bring people together, to support and uplift one another, and to provide a sense of belonging and purpose in life as seen in the last few lines; “Then let our flame still light and shine, (And no bold fear control) As innocent as our design, Immortal as our soul” (lines 21-24). It is evidence to the beauty of love in all its forms, whether romantic or platonic, and its ability to enrich our lives and nourish our souls.

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"The Disappointment" is a poem by Aphra Behn that tells the story of a man who boasts of his sexual “expertise” but ultimately fails to perform in bed. The poem is a satirical take on male impotence and the societal pressure placed on men to be sexually dominant. Behn challenges traditional gender roles and expectations by reversing the roles of the man and woman in the poem, with the woman ultimately taking charge and leaving the man unsatisfied(my favorite part!): “Which both disdain and shame expressed. And from Lysanders arms she fled, Leaving him fainting on the gloomy bed”(lines 118-120). The poem highlights the vulnerability and insecurity that can come with male impotence and critiques the cultural addiction on male sexual performance by the usage of humor.

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"The Disappointment" by Aphra Behn is a poem that satirizes the idea of male sexual capability and, in doing so, challenges the traditional image of gods and goddesses. In the poem, the man is likened to a god who boasts about his sexual conquests, but is ultimately unable to perform; “All that the gods e’er made, it fair…And not one god his fury spares; He cursed his birth, his fate, his stars…” (lines 128, 136-137). This dissolves the traditional image of gods as all powerful beings who are never flawed. Behn's use of satire highlights the absurdity of the notion that men should be sexually invincible, and in doing so challenges the idea of the male gaze and male dominance in sexual relationships. The poem also suggests that women are not simply objects to be conquered by men but are active participants in sexual encounters. In this way, Behn's poem challenges traditional power dynamics and presents a more hinted view of sexual relationships.

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“Paradise Lost” explores many themes related to the nature of God and humanity. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the obedience of God. Throughout the narrative, God is depicted as a powerful and just ruler who demands obedience from his subjects. He creates Adam and Eve and places them in the Garden of Eden, giving them a single command: not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. When they disobey this command, God punishes them by banishing them from the Garden and cursing them with mortality. The poem suggests that obedience to God is crucial for human beings to live in harmony with the divine, and that disobedience brings about punishment and suffering; “A dungeon horrible, on all sides round As one great Furnace flam’d, yet from those flames No light, but rather darkness visible…” (line 61-63). At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that God's obedience to his own principles of justice and mercy is just as important as human obedience to his commands. Through its exploration of the theme of obedience, “Paradise Lost” offers a complex vision of the relationship between God and humanity, suggesting that both parties must strive to uphold the principles of justice and righteousness in order to maintain a harmonious and just world.

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Hierarchy is a prominent theme in “Paradise Lost”, reflecting the worldview in the time which the poem was written. In the poem, God is depicted as the supreme authority, with all other beings arranged in a hierarchical order beneath him, “O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers” (line 128). The hierarchy of the universe is reflected in the relationships between God, the angels, and human beings. The angels are divided into various orders, with the archangels at the top and the lowest ranks at the bottom. Similarly, humans are depicted as being lower than the angels, but still above the animals and the natural world, “...Of some new Race call’d Man, about this time To be created like to us though less In power and excellence, but favor’d more…” (lines 348-350). This hierarchical worldview is reinforced by the fact that disobedience to authority, whether it be God's or the earthly monarch's, is seen as a grave sin that leads to destruction and chaos. Despite this emphasis on hierarchy and obedience, however, the poem also suggests that individual choice and agency are important, and that the hierarchy of the universe is ultimately governed by the principles of justice and mercy, rather than blind obedience. Through its exploration of the theme of hierarchy, “Paradise Lost” offers a vision of the relationship between power and obedience, suggesting that both are important, but must be balanced with considerations of justice and free will.

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Canto I of “The Rape of the Lock” uses religious imagery and language in a satirical way to critique the societal values of the time. For example, the description of Belinda's dressing ritual is likened to a religious ceremony, with the use of incense and the repetition of certain actions, “...robed in white…at her altar’s side…”(lines 123, 127).. This use of religious imagery serves to highlight the excessive importance placed on appearance and beauty in the society of the time, with such rituals being seen as almost sacred, “Trembling, begins the sacred rites of pride” (line 128). Through this use of satire, Pope critiques the values of the society of the time and suggests the need for a more balanced and meaningful approach to life.

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Canto I of "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope sets the tone for the poem's critique of appearance. The poem begins by describing Belinda's morning routine, which involves a painstakingly elaborate process of dressing and grooming; “...Trembling, begins the sacred rites of pride”(line 127).That line was to demonstrate how Belindas’ process to get ready for her day was seen as an act of “pride”.Pope uses humor and irony to highlight the absurdity of this routine and the excessive importance placed on appearance in the society of the time. The poem also introduces the theme of appearance as a tool of power and control, as Belinda's beauty and adornments are described as weapons that she uses to control the hearts of men. The description of the lock of hair, which becomes the central object of desire and conflict in the poem, serves as a metaphor for the societal obsession with appearances and beauty, “Now awful beauty puts on all its arms…”(line 139). Through Canto I, Pope draws attention to the superficial values of the aristocratic society of the time ,and critiques the ways in which these values can be oppressive and harmful.

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In “A Description of the Morning”, Jonathan Swift uses vivid imagery to describe the world as it awakens to a new day, "Appearing, show'd the ruddy morn's approach…” (line 2). The poem captures the cyclical nature of life, with the morning representing the beginning of a new cycle. The poem also explores the theme of life cycles by contrasting the beauty and vitality of the natural world with the decay and corruption of the human world, “The youth with broomy stumps began to trace The kennel-edge, where wheels had worn the place…”(line 9-10). The flowers and birds that Swift describes are full of life and energy, while the city that lies beyond them is described as being in a state of decay and decline. Through this contrast, Swift suggests that while the natural world follows a cyclical pattern of growth and decay, the human world is often marked by a linear trajectory of progress and decline, and that these two cycles are often in conflict with one another.

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“A Description of a City Shower” by Jonathan Swift is a satirical poem that critiques the filth and corruption of urban life in the eighteenth century. The poem uses vivid and grotesque imagery to highlight the various forms of pollution; “Not yet the dust had shunned the unequal strife,But, aided by the wind, fought still for life,And wafted with its foe by violent gust,’Twas doubtful which was rain and which was dust”(line 23-25). Through its exaggerated descriptions of the city's squalor, the poem satirizes the social and political structures that allow such conditions to persist, highlighting the ways in which the wealthy and powerful often ignore or exploit the suffering of the urban poor, “While seams run down her oiled umbrella’s sides. Here various kinds, by various fortunes led, Commence acquaintance underneath a shed” (line 38-40).The poem is also a commentary on the human condition more broadly, suggesting that the filth and corruption of the city are metaphors for the moral decay and spiritual emptiness of modern society. Through its use of satire, “A Description of a City Shower” offers a biting critique of the injustices of urban life, and invites the reader to reflect on the deeper moral and social issues that underlie the city's surface appearances.