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Elements of good writing style essays
Writing style essay
Elements of good writing style essays
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“My Last Duchess” by Ferrara
In this poem, A Duke is speaking of his last wife the Duchess. He has a picture behind a curtain he draws for those he chooses to see his wife. The Duke is a very proud man with “…a nine-hundred-years-old name” (line 33) and seems to imply the past was beneath him. The entire piece filled with his arrogance towards his wife in speaking with a second person who not identified directly, but reference given to have the reader draw the conclusion it could be a possible next wife. The Duke speaks of a dowry in line52 and the entire conversation takes the air of a warning about what can happen when the Duke is not obeyed, “…I gave commands;” (line 45). From the start, there is a reference to her being unfaithful. The painter of the portrait, Fra Pandolf is in question as there is portrayed an abundance of joy even in the picture that
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She was a young bride who did not consider her status and did not behave appropriately for her title. She was seen on “the white mule. She rode around the terrace.” (28,29) taking favors plucked from his own trees an “officious fool broke in the orchard for her.” (27,28) It not only was not appropriate to be on a mule rather than a proper horse but for her to take a “gift” of cherries stolen from the Duke’s own orchard was beneath her. The Duchess should have been at least annoyed but even angry that the cherries were taken and acted appropriate for her station seeing that he was punished for stealing. The Duchess flirted and smiled at all and was seen overly thankful with men, “…She thanked men,-good! But thanked somehow-I know not how…” (31, 32). The Duchess carried on with all, did not save a smile only for her husband, and treated all equally, “Oh Sir, she smiles, no doubt, Whene’er I passed her; but who passed
1. Our Lady's role in the Ballad of the White Horse as portrayed in books I, II, and VII.
The conventions of courtly love stem from the precise chivalric code of knights in the Middle Ages and passionate romances of European medieval folklore. Fantastic tales of dauntless knights and their fair damsels, often set in King Arthur’s kingdom of Camelot, captivated listeners in courts throughout Europe. A famous Arthurian legend narrates the story of Lancelot, King Arthur’s noblest knight, who betrays his lord after falling in love with the king’s wife, Guinevere, by participating in an affair with her. Such enthralling romances, with their popular theme of blossoming adoration between a knight and his lady, appealed particularly to the female court audience as a refreshing step away from the epic conquests of brave male warriors. In fact, it was these ladies of the court who extracted the sweet essence of courtly love from these flowery romances. Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of England and France and ardent patron of the arts during the early twelfth century, envisioned traditions of courtly love promulgated with chivalry and troubadour poetry. The chivalric code during Queen Eleanor’s time added points of courtesy and tenderness to balance a knight’s valor and violence in battle. Troubadours wrote their verses to the honorable codes...
In his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer fully explicates the cultural standard known as courtesy through satire. In the fourteenth century, courtesy embodied sophistication and an education in English international culture. The legends of chivalric knights, conversing in the language of courtly love, matured during this later medieval period. Chaucer himself matured in the King's Court, as is revealed in his cultural status, but he also retained an anecdotal humor about courtesy. One must only peruse his Tales to discern these sentiments, for Chaucer’s view of courtesy can seem shocking and, all together, obscene at times, it’s the similarity of the differences that make Chaucer’s tales superior. An example of this can be seen through Nicholas’ attempt at “courting” Alison versus Arcita and Palamon’s endeavors at courting Emily. Nicholas' anxious and lewd behavior, in conjunction with his explicit sexual connotation, demonstrates Chaucer’s more farcical side; where as, the manner in which Arcita and Palamon court Emily can seem more satirical. In the Miller's Tale, Chaucer juxtaposes courtly love with animalistic lust, while in the Knight’s tale, the subject of chivalry is held with much higher regard, and used as a florid, glorious attribute. These numerous references provide the reader with a remarkably rich image of the culture and class structure of late fourteenth century England.
During her entire rule, Elizabeth I allowed for England to reach an equilibrium in its religious affairs through “The Elizabethan Settlement”, or her religious compromise. The Book of Common Prayer, issued by the Edward VI’s advisor Thomas Cranmer, was restored by Elizabeth....
... She first criticizes Hero’s choice of a ruff; then she indirectly denigrates Hero’s wedding gown by contrasting its simplicity with the duchess of Milan’s lavish garment (3.4.14-23); finally, she mocks the prim and proper Hero by making a coarse sexual allusion (3.4.27). When Hero rebukes her, Margaret refuses to be shamed and defends herself: “[ashamed] of what, lady? Of speaking honorably? Is not marriage honorable in a beggar? Is not your lord honorable without marriage? (3.4.28-31). By implying that honor is achieved not through any marriage but through a “good,” socially suitable marriage, Margaret implicitly criticizes the inequality in her society and expresses her desire for a marriage that will not leave her “below stairs” (5.2.10). But she is acutely aware that she has no such marriage prospects as she resentfully watches Hero’s wedding preparations.
“Life isn’t fair, it’s just fairer than death.” (Goldman 358) That was said by William Goldman at the end of his novel The Princess Bride. The Princess Bride is a book about a girl named Buttercup who learns throughout the book, about the difficulties of life. Buttercup learns about love, adventure, and truthfulness of life, and people. Buttercup lived in a farm in Florin opposite from the land of Guilder. Her family owned a boy she called “Farm boy.” Buttercup teased Farm boy and told him what to do. One day, the Count and Countess of Florin show up at Buttercups families farm, and asks for their cows milk, which was said to be the best milk around. The Countess takes an interest in Westly, the farm boy, and Buttercup realizes her love for him. When Buttercup admitted to her love for Westly, he told her he was moving to America to build a future for the both of them. Soon, Buttercup got a call that informed her of Westly’s death, she was petrified. Later in the book, the Prince of Florin decided he needed a princess because his father, the king, was very ill. Soon, he would become king, and there must be a queen. Prince Humperdinck went to Buttercups farm to gather her so she could become his wife. Buttercup did so and the marriage was soon to be. One day, when Buttercup had been living in the Princes castle, she decided to go for a ride on her horse. Buttercup was kidnapped by three men, Inigo, Vizzini, and Fezzik. They were planning on taking Buttercup to Guilder to kill her so there could be a war between Florin and Guilder. The group was followed by a “man in black” who turned out to be Westly Buttercups love. Westly defeated each man and planned on taking Buttercup to...
“I’m sorry, I did not mean to do it.” These were the last words of historical figure, Marie Antoinette, right before being executed for treason. Being viewed as very scandalous in her day, she lived a very interesting life: making the famous quote, “Let them eat cake,” and being accused of treason.
interest to her lovers. She may have thought that she and her male interest at the time were alone,
One speaker, the Duke of Ferrara, tells the story of "My Last Duchess." The story occurs prior to a meeting between the Count, his emissary, and other dignitaries. Duke Ferrara is speaking privately with the Count's emissary in a room located upstairs within the residence. The Duke is describing a painting of his last wife. The room is stately, well furnished, and decorated with several artistic items. Similarly, a speaker whose identity is unknown tells the poem "Porphyria's Lover." In a dramatic monologue, each speaker relates the details of his poem. Unlike "My Last Duchess," the poem, "Porphyria's Lover," has a very different setting. The events that transpire in "Porphyria's Lover" happen in a secluded cottage on a stormy night. The speaker is alone in the cottage. The strong wind and the unceasing rain are heard and felt inside the dwelling. The cottage is located near a lake and is surrounded by a dense forest. The storyteller has a speci...
... allows the present day reader to gain insight into commonly held beliefs regarding women during the 14th century. By allowing Alison to have a sense of humor and joke about aspects of her marriage, Chaucer was able to make numerous points regarding women that would not have been acknowledged had a female author created them. By making Alison a laughable character, Chaucer was able to make points about women such as the unfairness of double standards, the acknowledgement of female desire, and the reality of women marrying well to improve their economic situations. Chaucer also provides us with detailed examples of commonly held stereotypes regarding women that are still relevant approximately seven centuries later.
“The noble knight slays the dragon and rescues the fair maiden…and they live happily ever after.” This seemingly cliché finale encompasses all the ideals of courtly love, which began in the Medieval Period and still exists today. While these ideals were prevalent in medieval society, they still existed with much controversy. Geoffrey Chaucer, a poet of the period, comments on courtly love in his work The Canterbury Tales. Through the use of satiric elements and skilled mockery, Chaucer creates a work that not only brought courtly love to the forefront of medieval society but also introduced feministic ideals to the medieval society. At times, Chaucer even makes readers question his beliefs by presenting contrasting elements of principle in The Knight’s Tale and The Wife of Bath’s Tale, both tales told in his profound, multifaceted The Canterbury Tales.
The Duke of Ferrara was made jealous by everything the duchess did, no matter how unimportant it was. He was especially jealous of Fra Pandolf, the man who painted the duchess in the poem. A woman should be pleased only by her husband, as was not the case with the duchess and Fra Pandolf. She was “too easily impressed'; by the painter (line 23). Fra Pandolf was not the only man that made the duke jealous. Everyone who passed the duchess received “much the same smile'; as the duke (line 44). The duke expected to be the only man to receive a smile from his wife.
...ding this poem, it is obvious to think that the Duke was definitely a cruel and heartless man. Assuming he had his first wife killed, he didn't seem to care. He just forged ahead in an attempt to find another woman he could control. As a matter of fact, he used his influence to actually warn the servant of his plans for his marriage to the Count's daughter. Instead of mourning his first wife, he seemed to revel in the fact that he was now able to control her beauty in the portrait by only allowing viewing to those he invited to see it when he opened the curtain. Oh, what a powerful feeling that must have been for him! In the 20th century, however, I think this poem would have been written differently to reflect the freedom women have today. No woman would have put up with him! Maybe the Duke would have had second thoughts about how he treated his beautiful Duchess.
First, unconditional love is portrayed within Beauty’s relationship with her two mean sisters. The two sisters are disliked by others because of their vain and pride (De Beaumont 32). They ‘always insisted that they would never marry unless they found a duke or, at the very least, a count”, but when men asked Beauty in hand of marriage, she pol...