ESSAY Choose ONE from Beowulf and ONE from Canterbury Tales and write an essay in the
format: ANT (intro where you have a thesis that includes exact wording from prompt); At least 2
body paragraphs, which you cannot use your book for because you should have an outline. Body
paragraphs should be in the format: TEA-topic sentence, evidence, analyze evidence. No
conclusion necessary-JUST restate your thesis in words a little different from before.
1. How does Beowulf fit the definition of an epic? Be sure to define an epic, and mention
Beowulfs context in Anglo-Saxon society, the Anglo-Saxon virtues and the characteristics of an
epic hero.
2. Choose a dichotomy that is present throughout Beowulf and explain its significance to
each of the three battles. An example is good/evil -clearly, Beowulf fights for good and
Grendel, his mother and the dragon for evil. Are you sure that the dragon really fights for
evil? What symbols, allusions and images connect Beowulf with good and his opponents
with evil? Other ideas are: light/dark, heaven/hell, powerful/weak, brave/fearful.
3. Consider the many characterizations the men and women associated with the church. From
these portraits, what conclusion might you draw about Chaucer's attitude toward the church
and/or religious practitioners? Write an essay in which you present your conclusion and support
it with evidence from the Prologue.
4. How does literature shape or reflect society? Based on "The Wife of Bath's Tale," is the Wife of
Bath a modern woman? How well would she fit in twenty-first century America? Do her views of
the role of women in society match those of most women today? How would today's men regard
her views? In an essay, explore these questions. Give at least two examples from "The Wife of
Bath's Tale" to support your opinions.