The Idea of Ancestry

Upon entering his description of the Knight, Chaucer wastes no time to praise this pilgrim in every way. Not only does he note the strength and bravery that the Knight shows in his battles but also his “softer side”, where he speaks about how he “never had foul-spoken in his life”, and wears chainmail “begrimed with rust” (Chaucer 4-5). Compared to the descriptions of many of the other pilgrims, Chaucer only states positive things about this character, using no time to speak negatively about his life. Even when speaking about his “dated” clothing, he spins it around to make it sound like a positive by showing off his selflessness. Along with this, the Knights section

Look again at the extract on page 24 starting with “Do you want to come and play?” and ending with “now you say after me: ‘I will always defend my brother’.”

promised any knight who set out to the Holy Land " the remission of sins and be

The Knight as described by Chaucer, is a man of great stature. Like other knights of this time, he was usually accompanied by royalty and “had embarked with many a noble host” (Canterbury 62). The Knight was a far cry from the corrupt characters in this tale because unlike them, he did not abuse his power. The attire of the Knight proved that he not only worked hard but also lived modestly. Although he was wealthy, his cloaks did not readily support that fact, for “He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark” (Canterbury 77). He was so admired for his chivalrous nature that many referred to him as “a true, perfect gentle-knight” (Canterbury

In the poem Heritage by Linda Hogan, Hogan uses the tone of the speaker to demonstrate the shame and hatred she has toward her family, but also the desire for her family’s original heritage. The speaker describes each family member and how they represent their heritage. When describing each member, the speaker’s tone changes based on how she feels about them. The reader can identify the tone by Hogan’s word choices and the positive and negative outlooks on each member of the family.

The knight shows his true chivric colors by saying “My lady and my love, my dearest wife, I leave the matter to your wise decision.” (406-407) By allowing his wife to chose for him he displays true chivalry. He is also allowing to choose what she wants for her husband; this is a recall to the answer she gave him to save his life.

Everyone inherits something during life, whether it be money from a recently deceased relative or physical features from parents. Throughout the poem “Heritage” by Linda Hogan, the narrator remembers all the traits and lessons that she has garnered from her kin. A superficial reader of the poem might assume that the narrator is simply reflecting on said traits and lessons, but in reality she is actually attempting to illuminate and reconcile the differences in her life.

​Sir Gawain, nephew to the well-known King Arthur of the Round Table, is regarded as the most elite and noble of all the knights in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Yet, like anyone else in the world, Sir Gawain is far from perfect. Gawain, a courteous knight living a life dedicated to honor, courage, and self-preservation, is tested on his chivalrous code throughout his journey; a search for the Green Knight. Throughout the tests, Gawain’s actions reveal that even the best of men can be selfish and are subject to guilt and sin.

The knight next door honors the woman’s wishes by ceasing his communications with her though he keeps the bird in a golden coffin he always carries with him. From reading the tale, readers can see the differences in knightly behavior. Both men love the woman yet how they treat her is vastly different. The husband is controlling and wrathful, whereas the neighbor is kind and attentive. Both knights are publically viewed as great men, yet the way they act in their personal lives shows how public opinion isn’t always

From the day a person is born until the day they die, their family is always there. Friends may come and go numerous times in a lifetime, but a family bond is a bond that is formed like no other. Writing My Wrongs, by Shaka Senghor, is an autobiography that takes the reader through the life Senghor lived. From a young age Senghor’s parents clashed on every idea and topic known to man. After years of dealing with constant disputes, Senghor moved out, finding himself living on the streets. He sold whatever he could, including crack, to survive another day. A couple of years into this new lifestyle was all it took for Senghor to end up back at his father's house. Soon after, Senghor became involved in the drug world once again, but this time his seemingly innocent argument would escalate into the death of the customer, landing Senghor in jail for at minimum, 19 years. Throughout these years his father and son visited, motivating Senghor to be released from prison as soon as he could possibly manage. In Writing my Wrongs by Shaka Senghor, the role of family impacted Senghor the most on his journey through life and redemption.

During this time, too, as it still does when the Wife tells it, people judge by nobility rather than character. In the story, the old woman rebukes the knight thoroughly, saying things such as, “Find who is always the most virtuous, privately and publicly, and who always tries hardest to do what noble deeds he can, and consider him a nobleman” (233). In reading Wife’s story, one can almost see her listeners glancing askance at eachother, realizing that they are as guilty as the knight. Throughout time and space, one principle is true: a person can only be defined by his true character, evidenced by his actions.

This is a prime example of satire directed at chivalry today. People seem to think that chivalry is rooted so far in the past that it’s gone. I can say that it may be gone from some minds, but definitely not all. To be a good and true knight, a man had to follow certain ideals, ideals of chivalry and courtly love. That consisted of, being

Fredrick was ever the voice in defense of the king but was not surprised nor even particularly annoyed at the knights' dedication to their brother. He'd seen it before, he'd experienced it before. These men had been together since they were boys, living, fighting, and dying side by side, binding them together as brothers. It was beyond friendship, as strong and true as the armor they wore. It was the knight's way of life.

This story tells me that Chaucer holds the knight in high regard. As the creator of this character and his tale, he displays his fondness of the characteristics which he attributes to the knight. Chaucer uses many great adjectives to describe the knight in the general

In stanza VII, we see a shift in focus from the knight to the faery lady. Instead of the knight describing his own actions, he describes the faery lady’s actions. She provides the knight with “roots of relish sweet, and honey wild, and manna dew” (25-26). Both honey and manna are Biblical allusions, but the most peculiar of these is “manna.” In the book of Exodus, God sent manna to the Israelites as a form of nourishment. Perhaps the faery lady is a form of “nourishment” for the knight. The lady professes her love for the knight: “I love thee true” (28).