Life in the Middle Ages - Assignment Example

Schools and universities were established in Europe which was the initial step to Renaissance.

1. What modern institutions have their origin in the Middle Ages?
The first medieval universities were initially established in France, Spain, and England during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries imparting education on subjects such as theology, art, medicine, and law. These institutes evolved from contemporary Christian cathedral schools.

2. What is important about the form of Dante's Divine Comedy?
Dante Alighieri wrote the Divine Comedy which is an epic poem. It is considered to be an asset to Italian literature and the greatest work of world literature. His work is a comedy with a vision. He describes hell and heaven in a literal, interesting, and elaborate manner. He also interlinks life during the Italian Renaissance to the depiction of hell because of the prevailing social evils and heaven to the enlightened future which was about to come.

3. What is symbolic retribution?
It is a representational punishment that is usually expressed during the principal protests. It can also be referred to as 'token punishment'. In simpler words is a punishment that represents or symbolizes a sin, the perversion that develops in the intellect. Hence "The symbolic retribution is the constant and eternal reminder of choice." (Forman, 88)

4. What is the frame narrative?
A frame narrative is a story that is contained in a story. This can also be at times contained in another story.

5. Is the plague narrated in the introduction a fact or fiction?
The Plague by Albert Camus as narrated in the introduction is a nonfiction and factual novel based on the widespread spread of the Plague disease in the Algerian city. This novel is about common people who looked for solidarity and fought to bring stability to their life irrespective of the spread of this disease.

6. What types of tales are contained in the Decameron? Give examples.
The Decameron is an allegory, being a frame narration it contains hundred tales which are presented by ten young people. It encompasses a wide range of tales which are belonging to various genres like tragic, erotic, humor, and practical jokes as well as the teachings of life that comprised of morality, values, and guidance. Some examples of The Decameron tales are the translator (Musa) and Beowulf on the Beach.

7. How many Canterbury pilgrims are there?
There are about twenty-nine pilgrims in Canterbury.

8. How many Canterbury tales were planned?
In this book, the author Chaucer planned to write a total of 120 tales. He initially planned to write a total of 120 takes but failed to do in his lifetime.

9. How many stories were completed?
In the book, The Canterbury the author Chaucer, was able to complete a total of 24 tales in his lifetime.

10. Characterize the language of Chaucer.
Chaucer chose to write from life. His work is a great narration of consistent impersonation. Chaucer could fit the tale with the teller. He was diversified and worked on exploring and bringing about the uniqueness in his characters through the use of the perfect words at the perfect time. Emphasis was also laid on the ambiguity of the language used. Chaucer being thoroughly involved in his work concentrated on even the slightest of the detail. His work shows the in-depth study and thorough knowledge of the rhetoric manifestations which are precisely narrated with fair and precise use of language. His capabilities and his rhetoric skills differentiate him from any other writer of his time. Although the language used by Chaucer must have been ideal for his time today it needs to revise because it is quite difficult to comprehend the ambiguous language and the classic English. (Myles, 7-8)

11. How do the prologue and tale fit the character of the Wife of Bath?
The Wife of Bath starts with a prologue in which the wife shares her experiences and the details of her life before the tale starts. The prologue provides the highlight and scarce details about the tale and the tale whereas the tale unfolds the major details and the story of the women.

12. What is the theme of the Pardoner's tale?
The theme of the Pardoner's tale is that greed is the root cause of all evil.
13. What is the origin of European drama?
During the middle ages, many entertainers emerged which roamed around for the sake of entertainment of people. They traveled and performed for the people, this was the advent of drama in Europe which was condemned by the Church during the middle age.


14. What kind of play is Everyman?
The play 'Everyman' is a morality play that was written to teach the audience a moral lesson.

15. Define allegory.
An allegory is the representation of various ideas and principles with the help of characters, figures, or events that occurred in the form of a narrative, drama, or pictorials.

16. Are the values in the play just those of the Middle Ages?
The values that have been depicted in the play are not just for the middle ages but they are a source of enlightenment and guidance for all times and all those who seek to benefit from it. Read More