Article Analysis

    1.Proposal Instructions: Read these three Wikipedia articles: the Matter of Britain, the Matter of France, and the Matter of Rome. Pick a literary work listed under one of these “Matters” on the pages below that follow. Read the Wikipedia article on the literary work. Summarize the relevant “Matter” (Britain, France, or Rome) in 2 sentences. Write a 2 sentence summary of the of main subject or contents of the work in your own words based on the Wikipedia article. Explain what interests you about the work. The Matter of Britain Choose one of the following works in the Matter of Britain: The Lais of Marie de France (composed in Anglo-Norman French) See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lais_of_Marie_de_France Le Morte d’Arthur (“The Death of King Arthur”) by Thomas Malory, volume 1 or volume 2 (composed in Middle English) See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Morte_d%27Arthur Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (composed in Middle English) See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Gawain_and_the_Green_Knight Perceforest: The Prehistory of King Arthur’s Britain See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceforest The Matter of France Choose a work from the Matter of Rome: Troilus and Criseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer (composed in Middle English) See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troilus_and_Criseyde The Romance of Octavian See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavian_(romance) The Matter of Rome Choose a work from the Matter of Rome: Troilus and Criseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer (composed in Middle English) See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troilus_and_Criseyde The Romance of Octavian See Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavian_(romance) Then: pick an episode/section and read it! Choose an episode or section of the work (you may wish to consult with your professor) and read it. Links below: Le Morte d’Arthur (“The Death of King Arthur”) by Thomas Malory, volume 1 volume 2 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Perceforest: The Prehistory of King Arthur’s Britain La Chanson de Roland Valentine and Orson Troilus and Criseyde The Romance of Octavian Project Instructions 2-page Essay + Bibliography + Appendices 1-3 (+ Appendix 4 ) 20%: pick a passage or section of significant length (1-5 pages) from the episode/section and copy and paste into the end of your document as Appendix 1 45%: Write 2 pages (typewritten, 500 words minimum, using Grammarly) on your selected passage. 1) Explain how the passage represents an important moment in the work and why (20%). 2) Explain what the passage reveals about the characters in the work, focusing on how the characters embody or challenge chivalric ideals (20%). 3) Make appropriate reference throughout to the two Wikipedia articles (5%). 5%: Bibliography: list the two Wikipedia articles on your literary work; include them in your bibliography, together with the version/translation of the primary text you consulted. (MLA FORMAT) 30%: find 1) an interesting image online that connects to the work or your passage and paste it in your document (Appendix 2) (15%); AND 2) find a work of medieval art that reminds you of the work (explain how in a caption) OR make your own illustration and paste it in the document (Appendix 3) (15%). For Appendix 4 watch a relevant popular film you haven’t yet seen and provide a 1 paragraph discussion of its approach to chivalry or how it deals with medieval romance or its subject matter. Include at the end of document Here are the film options! A Knight’s Tale (2001): very amusing, has Chaucer! and chivalry but almost no other relevance to an actual medieval text Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989): entertaining search for the Holy Grail; some chivalry and romance but not much medieval Gawain and the Green Knight (1973 or 1991) or Sword of the Valiant (1984): 3 versions of the Green Knight! 1984 is loosely based on the text and has synthesizer score; 1991 is faithful to the text; 1973 is playful but doesn’t stick to the text El Cid (1961): epic classic, a favorite of Martin Scorsese Song of Roland (1978 or 2006): 1978 is in French w/subtitles; 2006--not much info Troilus and Cressida (1966 or 1981): You’re watching Shakespeare’s play which is based on Chaucer—so a Renaissance version of a medieval romance based on Greek myth The Sword in the Stone (1963): Disney animation of the T.H. White novels on King Arthur Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): a cult favorite comedy! Camelot (1967): a comedy musical! Excalibur (1981): visually compelling, great music (Richard Wagner), and closely based on Le Morte d’Arthur Knights of the Round Table (1953): classic Hollywood extravaganza, based on Le Morte d’Arthur King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017): more action, less substance—little connection to a medieval text King Arthur (2004): gritty and “realistic”: fiction based on Arthur as if he had been a real person Kingdom of Heaven (2005): The siege of Christian Jerusalem by Muslim armies under Saladin in 1187