Brit Lit MidTerm

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Characters

Puck - Also known as Robin Goodfellow, Puck is Oberon's jester, a mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals. Though A Midsummer Night's Dream divides its action between several groups of characters, Puck is the closest thing the play has to a protagonist. His enchanting, mischievous spirit pervades the atmosphere, and his antics are responsible for many of the complications that propel the other main plots: he mistakes the young Athenians, applying the love potion to Lysander instead of Demetrius, thereby causing chaos within the group of young lovers; he also transforms Bottom's head into that of an ass. Oberon - The king of the fairies, Oberon is initially at odds with his wife, Titania, because she refuses to relinquish control of a young Indian prince whom he wants for a knight. Oberon's desire for revenge on Titania leads him to send Puck to obtain the love-potion flower that creates so much of the play's confusion and farce. Titania - The beautiful queen of the fairies, Titania resists the attempts of her husband, Oberon, to make a knight of the young Indian prince that she has been given. Titania's brief, potion-induced love for Nick Bottom, whose head Puck has transformed into that of an ass, yields the play's foremost example of the contrast motif. Lysander - A young man of Athens, in love with Hermia. Lysander's relationship with Hermia invokes the theme of love's difficulty: he cannot marry her openly because Egeus, her father, wishes her to wed Demetrius; when Lysander and Hermia run away into the forest, Lysander becomes the victim of misapplied magic and wakes up in love with Helena. Demetrius - A young man of Athens, initially in love with Hermia and ultimately in love with Helena. Demetrius's obstinate pursuit of Hermia throws love out of balance among the quartet of Athenian youths and precludes a symmetrical two-couple arrangement. Hermia - Egeus's daughter, a young woman of Athens. Hermia is in love with Lysander and is a childhood friend of Helena. As a result of the fairies' mischief with Oberon's love potion, both Lysander and Demetrius suddenly fall in love with Helena. Self-conscious about her short stature, Hermia suspects that Helena has wooed the men with her height. By morning, however, Puck has sorted matters out with the love potion, and Lysander's love for Hermia is restored. Helena - A young woman of Athens, in love with Demetrius. Demetrius and Helena were once betrothed, but when Demetrius met Helena's friend Hermia, he fell in love with her and abandoned Helena. Lacking confidence in her looks, Helena thinks that Demetrius and Lysander are mocking her when the fairies' mischief causes them to fall in love with her. Egeus - Hermia's father, who brings a complaint against his daughter to Theseus: Egeus has given Demetrius permission to marry Hermia, but Hermia, in love with Lysander, refuses to marry Demetrius. Egeus's severe insistence that Hermia either respect his wishes or be held accountable to Athenian law places him squarely outside the whimsical dream realm of the forest. Theseus - The heroic duke of Athens, engaged to Hippolyta. Theseus represents power and order throughout the play. He appears only at the beginning and end of the story, removed from the dreamlike events of the forest. Hippolyta - The legendary queen of the Amazons, engaged to Theseus. Like Theseus, she symbolizes order. Nick Bottom - The overconfident weaver chosen to play Pyramus in the craftsmen's play for Theseus's marriage celebration. Bottom is full of advice and self-confidence but frequently makes silly mistakes and misuses language. His simultaneous nonchalance about the beautiful Titania's sudden love for him and unawareness of the fact that Puck has transformed his head into that of an ass mark the pinnacle of his foolish arrogance. Peter Quince - A carpenter and the nominal leader of the craftsmen's attempt to put on a play for Theseus's marriage celebration. Quince is often shoved aside by the abundantly confident Bottom. During the craftsmen's play, Quince plays the Prologue. Francis Flute - The bellows-mender chosen to play Thisbe in the craftsmen's play for Theseus's marriage celebration. Forced to play a young girl in love, the bearded craftsman determines to speak his lines in a high, squeaky voice. Robin Starveling - The tailor chosen to play Thisbe's mother in the craftsmen's play for Theseus's marriage celebration. He ends up playing the part of Moonshine. Tom Snout - The tinker chosen to play Pyramus's father in the craftsmen's play for Theseus's marriage celebration. He ends up playing the part of Wall, dividing the two lovers. Snug - The joiner chosen to play the lion in the craftsmen's play for Theseus's marriage celebration. Snug worries that his roaring will frighten the ladies in the audience. Philostrate - Theseus's Master of the Revels, responsible for organizing the entertainment for the duke's marriage celebration. Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, And Mustardseed - The fairies ordered by Titania to attend to Bottom after she falls in love with him.

The Canterbury Tales: Get Up and Bar the Door

A wife and husband make a bet that whoever speaks first has to get up and close the door; goes on so long that thieves come in their home and try to kill and steal. Then to stop the thieves the man finally talks and the woman laughs at him for losing even though her life was at risk.

Beowulf: Characters

Beowulf A hero who fights Grendel, Grendel's Mother and a fire breathing dragon; protagonist Unferth Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf Thrith Offa's wife, violent young women until she is tamed by her husband Higlac King of the Geats, Beowulf's uncle Dagref A frank warrior, Higlac's killer, who is killed by Beowulf. Freaw Hrothgar's daughter; given in marriage to create peace between the Danes and the Hathobards Hermod Son of Odin. Rode to Hel to try and rescue his brother Balder. Hrothgar Danish king, builder of Herot Grendel Swamp Monster killed by Beowulf Grendel's mother Swamp Monster, terrorizes Herot after Grendel is killed, stops when Beowulf chops her head off Welthow Hrothgar's wife, Queen of the Danes Higd Higlac's wife, Hareth's daughter, Queen of Geats Brecca Chief of the Brondings, companion of Beowulf (swimming match) Esher Danish nobleman, close friend of Hrothgar, killed by Grendel's mother Wiglaf Geat warrior, accompanies Beowulf in fight with the dragon, become king after Beowulf dies

Frankenstein: Themes

Dangerous Knowledge The pursuit of knowledge is at the heart of Frankenstein, as Victor attempts to surge beyond accepted human limits and access the secret of life. Likewise, Robert Walton attempts to surpass previous human explorations by endeavoring to reach the North Pole. This ruthless pursuit of knowledge, of the light (see "Light and Fire"), proves dangerous, as Victor's act of creation eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him, and Walton finds himself perilously trapped between sheets of ice. Whereas Victor's obsessive hatred of the monster drives him to his death, Walton ultimately pulls back from his treacherous mission, having learned from Victor's example how destructive the thirst for knowledge can be. Family, Society, Isolation In its preface, Frankenstein claims to be a novel that gives a flattering depiction of "domestic affection." That seems a strange claim in a novel full of murder, tragedy, and despair. But, in fact, all that tragedy, murder, and despair occur because of a lack of connection to either family or society. Put another way, the true evil in Frankenstein is not Victor or the monster, but isolation. When Victor becomes lost in his studies he removes himself from human society, and therefore loses sight of his responsibilities and the consequences of his actions. The monster turns vengeful not because it's evil, but because its isolation fills it with overwhelming hate and anger. And what is the monster's vengeance? To make Victor as isolated as it. Add it all up, and it becomes clear that Frankenstein sees isolation from family and society as the worst imaginable fate, and the cause of hatred, violence, and revenge.

The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath's Tale

Fairies and elves are gone because their spots have been taken by the friars and other mendicants that seem to fill every nook and cranny of the isle. And though the friars rape women, just as the incubi did in the days of the fairies, the friars only cause women dishonor—the incubi always got them pregnant.In Arthur's court, however, a young, lusty knight comes across a beautiful young maiden one day. Overcome by lust and his sense of his own power, he rapes her. The court is scandalized by the crime and decrees that the knight should be put to death by decapitation. However, Arthur's queen and other ladies of the court intercede on his behalf and ask the king to give him one chance to save his own life. Arthur, wisely obedient to wifely counsel, grants their request. The queen presents the knight with the following challenge: if, within one year, he can discover what women want most in the world and report his findings back to the court, he will keep his life. If he cannot find the answer to the queen's question, or if his answer is wrong, he will lose his head.The knight sets forth in sorrow. He roams throughout the country, posing the question to every woman he meets. To the knight's dismay, nearly every one of them answers differently. Some claim that women love money best, some honor, some jolliness, some looks, some sex, some remarriage, some flattery, and some say that women most want to be free to do as they wish. Finally, says the Wife, some say that women most want to be considered discreet and secretive, although she argues that such an answer is clearly untrue, since no woman can keep a secret. As proof, she retells Ovid's story of Midas. Midas had two ass's ears growing under his hair, which he concealed from everybody except his wife, whom he begged not to disclose his secret. She swore she would not, but the secret burned so much inside her that she ran down to a marsh and whispered her husband's secret to the water. The Wife then says that if her listeners would like to hear how the tale ends, they should read Ovid.She returns to her story of the knight. When his day of judgment draws near, the knight sorrowfully heads for home. As he rides near a forest, he sees a large group of women dancing and decides to approach them to ask his question. But as he approaches, the group vanishes, and all he can see is an ugly old woman. The woman asks if she can be of help, and the knight explains his predicament and promises to reward her if she can help him. The woman tells the knight that he must pledge himself to her in return for her help, and the knight, having no options left, gladly consents. She then guarantees that his life will be saved.The knight and the old woman travel together to the court, where, in front of a large audience, the knight tells the queen the answer with which the old woman supplied him: what women most desire is to be in charge of their husbands and lovers. The women agree resoundingly that this is the answer, and the queen spares the knight's life. The old hag comes forth and publicly asks the knight to marry her. The knight cries out in horror. He begs her to take his material possessions rather than his body, but she refuses to yield, and in the end he is forced to consent. The two are married in a small, private wedding and go to bed together the same night. Throughout the entire ordeal, the knight remains miserable.While in bed, the loathsome hag asks the knight why he is so sad. He replies that he could hardly bear the shame of having such an ugly, lowborn wife. She does not take offense at the insult, but calmly asks him whether real "gentillesse," or noble character, can be hereditary (1109). There have been sons of noble fathers, she argues, who were shameful and villainous, though they shared the same blood. Her family may be poor, but real poverty lies in covetousness, and real riches lie in having little and wanting nothing. She offers the knight a choice: either he can have her be ugly but loyal and good, or he can have her young and fair but also coquettish and unfaithful. The knight ponders in silence. Finally, he replies that he would rather trust her judgment, and he asks her to choose whatever she thinks best. Because the knight's answer gave the woman what she most desired, the authority to choose for herself, she becomes both beautiful and good. The two have a long, happy marriage, and the woman becomes completely obedient to her husband. The Wife of Bath concludes with a plea that Jesus Christ send all women husbands who are young, meek, and fresh in bed, and the grace to outlive their husbands.

The Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale

John is possessive of his eighteen-year-old wife, Alisoun.Nicholas and Alisoun begin flirting, she agrees to sleep with him when it is safe to do so.A merry, vain parish clerk named Absolon also fancies Alisoun (buys her gifts, and gives her money)Alisoun tell John that Nicholas is ill. John sends a servant to check on his boarder, who arrives to find Nicholas immobile, staring at the ceiling. Nicholas tells John he has had a bad vision from God and offers to tell John about itNicholas instructs John to fasten three tubs, each loaded with provisions and an ax, to the roof of the barn. As soon as the carpenter begins to snore, Nicholas and Alisoun climb down, run back to the house, and sleep together in the carpenter's bed.Absolon passes by and Alisoun tricks Absalon into kissing her butt. Absolon gets a red-hot iron poke and comes back for Alisoun for revenge but Nicholas goes to the window and Absolon burns him instead when he cries John wakes up finding out. All 3 men lost to Alisoun.

Beowulf: Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon literature/society

Literature: Heroic poetry elements, Christian ideals, Synecdoche, Metonymy, Irony Society: Bravery, truth, honor, loyalty and duty, hospitality and perseverance

The Canterbury Tales: Characteristics of Medieval literature/society

Literature: The Norman Conquest, 1066, Allegory, The Black Death, Romance, King Arthur, Authority, The Peasants' Uprising, Revenge vs. Society: It was governed by laws, it had rules, the people had rights and obligations. There was a legal framework of land tenure, taxation and fiscal immunities. There was an urban organization and a rural one. Ballads: Tells a story w/o commentaryUses repetitionFollows rhyme patternHas ironic twist

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Themes

Love's Difficulty "The course of true love never did run smooth," comments Lysander, articulating one of A Midsummer Night's Dream's most important themes—that of the difficulty of love (I.i.134). Though most of the conflict in the play stems from the troubles of romance, and though the play involves a number of romantic elements, it is not truly a love story; it distances the audience from the emotions of the characters in order to poke fun at the torments and afflictions that those in love suffer. The tone of the play is so lighthearted that the audience never doubts that things will end happily, and it is therefore free to enjoy the comedy without being caught up in the tension of an uncertain outcome. The theme of love's difficulty is often explored through the motif of love out of balance—that is, romantic situations in which a disparity or inequality interferes with the harmony of a relationship. The prime instance of this imbalance is the asymmetrical love among the four young Athenians: Hermia loves Lysander, Lysander loves Hermia, Helena loves Demetrius, and Demetrius loves Hermia instead of Helena—a simple numeric imbalance in which two men love the same woman, leaving one woman with too many suitors and one with too few. The play has strong potential for a traditional outcome, and the plot is in many ways based on a quest for internal balance; that is, when the lovers' tangle resolves itself into symmetrical pairings, the traditional happy ending will have been achieved. Somewhat similarly, in the relationship between Titania and Oberon, an imbalance arises out of the fact that Oberon's coveting of Titania's Indian boy outweighs his love for her. Later, Titania's passion for the ass-headed Bottom represents an imbalance of appearance and nature: Titania is beautiful and graceful, while Bottom is clumsy and grotesque. Magic The fairies' magic, which brings about many of the most bizarre and hilarious situations in the play, is another element central to the fantastic atmosphere of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare uses magic both to embody the almost supernatural power of love (symbolized by the love potion) and to create a surreal world. Although the misuse of magic causes chaos, as when Puck mistakenly applies the love potion to Lysander's eyelids, magic ultimately resolves the play's tensions by restoring love to balance among the quartet of Athenian youths. Additionally, the ease with which Puck uses magic to his own ends, as when he reshapes Bottom's head into that of an ass and recreates the voices of Lysander and Demetrius, stands in contrast to the laboriousness and gracelessness of the craftsmen's attempt to stage their play. Dreams As the title suggests, dreams are an important theme in A Midsummer Night's Dream; they are linked to the bizarre, magical mishaps in the forest. Hippolyta's first words in the play evidence the prevalence of dreams ("Four days will quickly steep themselves in night, / Four nights will quickly dream away the time"), and various characters mention dreams throughout (I.i.7-8). The theme of dreaming recurs predominantly when characters attempt to explain bizarre events in which these characters are involved: "I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what / dream it was. Man is but an ass if he go about t'expound this dream," Bottom says, unable to fathom the magical happenings that have affected him as anything but the result of slumber. Shakespeare is also interested in the actual workings of dreams, in how events occur without explanation, time loses its normal sense of flow, and the impossible occurs as a matter of course; he seeks to recreate this environment in the play through the intervention of the fairies in the magical forest. At the end of the play, Puck extends the idea of dreams to the audience members themselves, saying that, if they have been offended by the play, they should remember it as nothing more than a dream. This sense of illusion and gauzy fragility is crucial to the atmosphere of A Midsummer Night's Dream, as it helps render the play a fantastical experience rather than a heavy drama. Jealousy The theme of jealousy operates in both the human and fairy realms in Midsummer Night's Dream. Jealousy plays out most obviously among the quartet of Athenian lovers, who find themselves in an increasingly tangled knot of misaligned desire. Helena begins the play feeling jealous of Hermia, who has managed to snag not one but two suitors. Helena loves Demetrius, who in turn feels jealous of his rival for Hermia's affections, Lysander. When misplaced fairy mischief leads Lysander into an amorous pursuit of Helena, the event drives Hermia into her own jealous rage. Jealousy also extends into the fairy realm, where it has caused a rift between the fairy king and queen. As we learn in Act II, King Oberon and Queen Titania both have eyes for their counterparts in the human realm, Theseus and Hippolyta. Titania accuses Oberon of stealing away with "the bouncing Amazon" (II.i.). Oberon accuses Titania of hypocrisy, since she also loves another: "How canst thou thus for shame, Titania, / Glance at my credit with Hippolyta, / Knowing I know thy love to Theseus?" (II.i.). This jealous rift incites Oberon to command Puck to fetch the magic flower that eventually causes so much chaos and confusion for the Athenian lovers.

Beowulf: Themes

Loyalty Beowulf celebrates a warrior culture. For this reason, loyalty is of paramount importance. One of the central points, which demonstrates this, is the conflict between Beowulf and Unferth. Beowulf is from another place and another tribe. His allegiance to Hrothgar is through a family debt, yet he proves himself more loyal to Hrothgar than Unferth who is one of Hrothgar's own men. As Beowulf distinguishes his loyalty to the king, Unferth fails. The real test of the hero is his loyalty to the king, to knightly virtue, and to his honesty. Bravery and Valor Beowulf is the perfect embodiment of bravery and valor. He shows no fear and never wavers from his quests throughout the poem. Unferth, on the other hand, lets his bravery waver and proves himself to be an unworthy knight. We never see any deliberation on the part of Beowulf. As a warrior knight, his only choice is to act and to never show fear in the face of adversity. Grendel and his mother demonstrate nothing but malice, on the other hand. They do not act out of valor, but only out of a malicious desire to destroy. Even Grendel's mother, who seeks vengeance for the death of Grendel, acts on blind revenge and never a duty to her son. Vengeance Again, the Danes and Geats are part of a warrior culture. While engaging in battle is a necessary feature of life, blind vengeance seems to be both understood and a something which lacks virtue. As much as Beowulf owes his allegiance to Hrothgar, Grendel's mother shows no allegiance to anyone or anything other than her thirst for revenge. Grendel is also a figure of blind vengeance. He kills and terrorizes simply for the thirst for blood. For this reason, the violence of the monsters is evil. Generosity and Hospitality Even as the poem draws our attention to feats of valor and strength, there is almost as much emphasis on the generous hospitality offered by King Hrothgar and his wife. The feasts and celebrations are as detailed as the battles. After his victories, Beowulf is treated with songs about his strength and bravery. As a virtuous king, Hrothgar shows his virtue through generosity. Beowulf in his turn provides the same openheartedness during his peaceful reign, and he generously rewards his own hero with the throne.

Frankenstein: Characteristics of Roman/Gothic literature

Mystery and Fear Omens and Curses Gloomy Atmosphere and Setting Supernatural and Paranormal Activity Romance Villain Emotional Distress Nightmares Anti-hero Damsel in Distress

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shakespeare facts

Parents: John Shakespeare & Mary Shakespeare (nee Arden). Born: Generally accepted as 23 April 1564, as he was baptised 26 April 1564. Hometown: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. Wife: Anne Hathaway. Children: Hamnet, Susanna & Judith Works: 37 plays (at least), 149 sonnets, many poems. Died: 23 April 1616, buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Canterbury Tales: Pilgrims from the Canterbury Tales

The Knight Plain clothes and rides fine horse. Highest class among group. Mercenary. Squire Young-curly haired, strong, short gown with long sleeves, wearing flowers. Loves to sing/dance. He is a rider. Also Lustful. Son of knight. Yeoman Dresses in green. Bow and arrow. Forester, servant to Knight and Squire. Hunter, expert marksman, there for protection. The Prioress (nun) Red lips, eats a lot, fat, large forehead. Eats carefully never misses a drop. Entertaining, kind to animals, feed her dog people. Monk Fat, bald/shiny head, fine furs, has a nice looking horse, dogs. Hunter, likes spacious spots. Friar (Hubert) Dresses like a doctor or pope. Keeps knives and pins for girls. Likes bribes during confessional, Helps wealthy not poor. Spends time at the tavern. Merchant Forked beard, Trades in furs, rainbow dress, solem. Clerk Thin, Hollow, sober look. Spends money on books and knowledge. Doesn't care about clothing or looks. Sergeant-at-law Party colored, girdle, Not very bright but a fantastic lawyer. King appointed him to specialize in property disputes. Franklin White beard, dagger, Loves party's, Has food available at his house all the time. Tradesman Well dressed, trim and fresh, knives adorned. Knives are pure silver. Concerned about appearance. Wives like to be seen in church. Cook Lewd and vulgar, he is known for his cooking and characterized by the sore on his leg. His story is incomplete. Shipman Didn't have a good conscience, ship called the Madeleine, drinker, basically pirate, made people walk the plank. Doctor of medicine Silk deep red color, very expensive clothes, weak in faith. Astrology is his science of choice. Likes financial gain. Wife of bath Shitty teeth, broad, flowing cape, scarlot red, new shoes, large hat. Been on many pilgrimages, widow, weaver, vain, 5 husbands, many other men. Parson Rides an old mare. Poor, no fancy clothes. Kind, good, contrast to other religious people. Plowman Poor, loves god, Brother to the Parson. Pays his taxes. Member of peasant class. Miller Red-headed, large wart, disgusting, Steals corn. loves dirty stories. Manciple Works for lawyers, In charge of getting food for lawyers. Very smart but a thief. Steals from the lawyers. Reeve Skinny, bald, blue coat, old, choleric, Great bargainer, hated, bad temper, crook. Steals from masters. Summoner Disgusting thin beard, garlic, onions, has pimpled face. Easily bribed, knows secrets, blackmails, drunk. Takes people into court. Pardoner Long greased yellow hair, Bulging eyes, no beard. Carries a pillow case calls it a holy relic. Most corrupt, sells fake relics, takes advantage of people. Host Bright eyes, jolly, Leader of the group. Chooses who wins the story telling competition. Suggests the idea of the story telling contest.

The Canterbury Tales: The Pardoner's Tale

The Pardoner describes a group of young Flemish people who spend their time drinking and reveling, indulging in all forms of excess.1. Gluttony (Eden)2. Drunkenness3. Gambling: ruins men of power and wealth4. Swearing (higher up on the list than homicide)They hear a funeral knell, One of the revelers' servants tells the group about mysterious figure named Death.Decide to find and kill Death to avenge their friend. Traveling down the road, they meet an old man who appears sorrowful. He says his sorrow stems from old age—he has been waiting for Death to come and take him for some time, and he has wandered all over the world. The youths, hearing the name of Death, demand to know where they can find him.The old man directs them into a grove, where he says he just left Death under an oak tree. The rioters rush to the tree, underneath which they find not Death but eight bushels of gold coins with no owner in sight.If they carry the gold into town in daylight, they will be taken for thieves. They must transport the gold under cover of night, and so someone must run into town to fetch bread and wine in the meantime.They draw lots, and the youngest of the three loses and runs off toward town. As soon as he is gone, the sly plotter turns to his friend and divulges his plan: when their friend returns from town, they will kill him and therefore receive greater shares of the wealth.The second rioter agrees, and they prepare their trap. Back in town, the youngest vagrant is having similar thoughts. He could easily be the richest man in town, he realizes, if he could have all the gold to himself. He goes to the apothecary and buys the strongest poison available, then puts the poison into two bottles of wine, leaving a third bottle pure for himself. He returns to the tree, but the other two rioters leap out and kill him.

The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath's Prologue

The Wife of Bath begins her description of her two "bad" husbands.Her fourth husband, whom she married when still young, was a reveler, and he had a mistress. She confesses that she was his purgatory on Earth, always trying to make him jealous. He died while she was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.Of her fifth husband, she has much more to say. She loved him, even though he treated her terribly and beat her. He was coy and flattering in bed, and always won her back. Women, the Wife says, always desire what is forbidden them, and run away from whatever pursues or is forced upon them. This husband was also different from the other four because she married him for love, not money. He was a poor ex-student who boarded with the Wife's friend and confidante.When she first met this fifth husband, Jankyn, she was still married to her fourth. While walking with him one day, she told him that she would marry him if she were widowed. She lied to him and told him he had enchanted her, and that she had dreamed that he would kill her as she slept, filling her bed with blood, which signifies gold. But, she confides to her listeners, all of this was false: she never had such a dream. She loses her place in the story momentarily, then resumes with her fourth husband's funeral. She made a big show of crying, although, she admits, she actually cried very little since she already had a new husband lined up.As she watched Jankyn carry her husband's casket, she fell in love with him. He was only twenty and she forty, but she was always a lusty woman and thought she could handle his youth. But, she says, she came to regret the age difference, because he would not suffer her abuse like her past husbands and gave some of his own abuse in return. He had a "book of wicked wives" she recalls, called Valerie and Theofraste. This book contained the stories of the most deceitful wives in history. It began with Eve, who brought all mankind into sin by first taking the apple in the Garden of Eden; from there, it chronicled Delilah's betrayal of Samson, Clytemnestra's murder of Agamemnon, and other famous stories. Jankyn would torment the Wife of Bath by reading out of this book at night.One evening, out of frustration, the Wife tears three pages out of the book and punches Jankyn in the face. Jankyn repays her by striking her on the head and that she is now deaf in one ear. She cries out that she wants to kiss him before she dies, but when he comes over, she hits him again. They finally manage a truce, in which he hands over all of his meager estate to her, and she acts kindly and loving.Her tale of her marriages endedWife announces that she will tell her story, laughter from the FriarThe Host quiets everybody down and allows the Wife of Bath to begin her story.

Frankenstein: Characters

Victor Frankenstein: Creator of the monster, Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and fear. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new human, he spends his entire life trying to destroy the same creation. The monster: The creature created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt."Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. The monster's rejection from society pushes him to commit murder against his creator's family. Henry Clerval: Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. He studies language at the University of Ingolstadt and is totally unaware of Victor's creation. Elizabeth Lavenza: The orphan child taken in by the Frankenstein family and lovingly raised with Victor. Elizabeth later becomes Victor's wife and is killed by the monster on their honeymoon. She is a champion for the poor and underpriviledged. Alphonse Frankenstein: Victor's father. He suffers from illness probably brought on from his advanced age and depression from the events that have happened. Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Victor's mother. Caroline dies of scarlet fever when Victor is 17. Caroline was very involved in charity work — much like Mary Shelley and her mother Mary Wollestonecraft — especially for families in poverty. William Frankenstein: Victor's youngest brother who is killed by the monster. Symbolically, William's murder is the turning point of the novel, when turmoil engulfs the Frankenstein family and all innocence is lost in the family. Also, William's death signals for the reader the end of Victor's belief that his actions can have no consequences. Justine Moritz: The housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. Accused of William's murder, Justine is the stolid martyr who goes to her death with grace and dignity. If William's death symbolizes the loss of innocence, Justine's death marks the end of all that is noble and righteous. The De Lacey family: M. De Lacey, Felix, Agatha, and Safie. The monster's adopted family. Exiled from France for treason against their government. Robert Walton: Arctic explorer on his way to find a Northwest Passage through the Arctic Ocean from Russia to the Pacific Ocean. Robert finds Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his tale, and records it in letters to his sister Margaret Saville. Margaret Saville: Robert's sister. Robert writes to her detailing the events that transpire on the voyage and Victor's story.

The Canterbury Tales: The Twa Corbies

Wife knows where ex husband's body buried, but does not care because has new partner, she probably killed him, knight that is supposed to be of importance is just left to be eaten by birds.

The Canterbury Tales: Fair Margaret and Sweet William

William says he has a huge wedding tomorrow, its his with his other girlfriend. Irony when Margaret & William both die of a broken heart in the end, Rose symbolism.