Arthur Waley Essays

  • The Influence of Confucius on Chinese Culture

    2971 Words  | 6 Pages

    will never be forget. As the Chinese people and the world stepping into the next millennium, Confucius will be in the minds of many people, as they think of the greatest teacher in Chinese history. Bibliography Notes 1. Analects 7.24 Cf. A. Waley, The Analects of Confucius (London, 1938) 2. 2. Analects 8.8 3. Analects 6.25 4. 4. Analects 7.6 5. 5. Analects 1.6 6. 6. Analects 1.12 7. 7. Analects 8.2 8. 8. Analects 3.4 9. Analects 6.16 10. Analects 3.18 11. Analects 13.5 12

  • Book 2 Of The Analects Of Confucius

    1405 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Analects of Confucius’ meaning, that peace can be found in the darkest of times is found by analyzing the historical context in which Confucius lived and in which the Analects were written. The time in which Confucius lived was a peaceful time, full of innovative and philosophical advances. Therefore, his teachings were about peace, specifically about finding it for one’s self. This value becomes even more in depth because, though Confucius was the “transmitter” of these original philosophical

  • The Life and Teachings of Confucius

    1579 Words  | 4 Pages

    Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who lived and taught in a period when the unified Chou kingdom had split into a number of feudal states. The subjects that will be talked about is: The philosopher himself, the Analects and what they represent, and lastly the teachings and what a single interpretation of them could be, and what further questions could be asked for further interpretation. Confucianism is the study of the social philosophy through the secular teachings that Confucius taught, what

  • The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell

    975 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell In the story of "The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell," we are introduced to a rather interesting character, Dame Ragnell. We meet Dame Ragnell in the beginning of the story when King Arthur is riding his horse into Ingelswood Forest. He then meets a lady, Dame Ragnell, who is described to be absolutely hideous and grotesque. The story gives a complete description of this old, foul woman: Her face was red, her nose snotid withalle, Her mouithe

  • The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell

    1537 Words  | 4 Pages

    Gawain in the story is shortly after King Arthur returns from his hunt. Gawain is the only person to whom Arthur confides his misadventure with Sir Gromer Somer Jour. Arthur’s apparent trust of Gawain to carry his burden proves that he trusts Gawain’s counsel and that Gawain will be discreet about the king’s troubles. Gawain enforces this belief when he says, "I am not that man that wold you dishonor / Nother by evin ne by moron"(329). In contrast to Arthur who breaks his oath to Sir Gromer that "I

  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    717 Words  | 2 Pages

    monster who challenges the court to a Christmas game, Sir Gawain, a brave, loyal knight of the court, and King Arthur, the lord of the court, are the main characters. Lines 279 through 365, which deal with the Christmas game, also known as the beheading game, foreshadow the Green Knight's supernatural powers, Sir Gawain's victory over the Green Knight, and his bravery and loyalty to King Arthur. The events surrounding the proposal of the game foreshadow what will happen next. It is New Year's, and

  • King Arthur

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    King Arthur Character Analysis Although King Arthur is one of the most well-known figures in the world, his true identity remains a mystery. Attempts to identify the historical Arthur have been unsuccessful, since he is largely a product of fiction. Most historians, though, agree that the real Arthur was probably a battle leader of the Britons against the Anglo-Saxons in the sixthth century. In literature, King Arthur's character is unique and ever changing, taking on a different face in every

  • A Character Analysis of Sir Lancelot

    4743 Words  | 10 Pages

    A Character Analysis of Sir Lancelot Sir Lancelot, from the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, has become by far the most popular and well-remembered knight. Through Malory's rendition of traditional materials, we have inherited a character that has become the image of the quintessential knight. How is it that "the outsider, the foreigner, the 'upstart' who wins Arthur's heart and Guinevere's body and soul" (Walters xiv) has taken the place that, prior to Malory, was

  • Willy Loman's Depression in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

    631 Words  | 2 Pages

    Willy Loman's Depression in Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller's, "Death of a Salesman," shows the development and structure that leads up to the suicide of a tragic hero, Willy Loman. The author describes how an American dreamer can lose his self-worth by many negative situations that occur throughout his life. The structure and complications are essential because it describes how a man can lose his way when depression takes over. The first comlication which occurs in Act I, is when the reader

  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as Modern Fantasy

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as Modern Fantasy Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written by an unknown author in the 14th century, can be called a timeless work of poetry. It exudes a certain fantastic quality that, despite its age of over 500 years, still appeals to modern audiences. Because of this application to all eras, would it be reasonable to state that this poem could be classified with modern fantasy fiction? Because of the similarities in plot and style with so much modern fantasy

  • Essay on Sacrifice in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    665 Words  | 2 Pages

    challenged the knights of King Arthur for a game, and King Arthur volunteered, it was Sir Gawain who stepped in. Sir Gawain was quick to explain to Arthur, “When a challenge like this rings through your hall/To take it yourself . . . For battle. Think of your bold knights,/My life the least, my death no loss. . .” (58). Of course all of King Arthur’s knights were valuable to the kingdom, so the phrase of “my death no loss,” merely meant that the kingdom of King Arthur would continue without Sir Gawain

  • Comparing Gilgamesh and King Arthur

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh and King Arthur The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to The Legend of King Arthur. Although Gilgamesh and King Arthur have comparison they also have differences. The main difference is that one is an Epic and the other is a Legend. To compare and contrast The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Legend of King Arthor, one must first know what the words, "Epic" and "Legend" mean. Primarily, "epic" is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a semi-god, also known as a superhuman hero who's

  • Realism in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

    685 Words  | 2 Pages

    Realism in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman Realism may be defined as an attempt to reproduce the surface appearance of the life of normal people in everyday situations (Kennedy 1410). Basically realism is a situation that normal people can relate to based on their own experiences. Realism is extremely prevalent in the play Death of a Salesman. The characters in the play have real world problems. Lack of money is one of the problems, which is a problem for many people. There are also many

  • A Comparison of Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur as Heroes

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur - Three Heroes The three heroes discussed here, Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur, are heroes for different reasons. Beowulf, our earliest hero, is brave but his motivation is different than then other two. To Sir Gawain personal honor and valor is what is important. King Arthur, Sir Gawain's uncle, is naturally the quintessential king of the medieval period. Though all men to a certain extent share the same qualities, some are more pronounced than in the others

  • The Crucible by Arthur Miller

    578 Words  | 2 Pages

    Crucible is a word that mixes many feelings and emotions where most words tend to be more ambiguous. Because the word crucible has multiple meanings, Arthur Miller chose The Crucible as a title to try to express the subtleties of the play’s message. The usual and most widely used definition for crucible, according to the New Oxford Dictionary of English, is: “a pot or vessel made of a substance, such as porcelain, that will withstand extreme heat for the use of melting various materials.” This definition

  • Conflict in All My Sons

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    Chris and Anne. As people get old and have their own kids they are thought of to be more rational in their actions in order to protect their children. Joe Keller worked his whole life trying to create a better future for his sons, but at what cost? Arthur Miller’s main point in the play is that people should look beyond their inner circle of society. Joe chose to ignore whatever does not concern his little circle. Although optimism is clearly shown in Chris’ words his ideals are not to be mixed

  • King Arthur

    1522 Words  | 4 Pages

    The stories and legends surrounding the character of King Arthur are among the best known of all stories about kings and knights. The stories and legends surrounding the character of King Arthur are among the best known of all stories about kings and knights. He is the greatest of British literary heroes, although little is known about the real person. Folklore and literature provide examples of a recurrent myth about a leader or hero who has not really died, but is asleep somewhere or in

  • Imagine you have been asked to direct J.B. Priestley’s “An Inspector

    3664 Words  | 8 Pages

    Imagine you have been asked to direct J.B. Priestley’s “An Inspector Calls” what Instructions would you give to the actor playing the part of Mr Arthur Birling At the opening of the play, Priestley presents a typical Edwardian middle class business family. The arrogance and pomposity of the Birlings is clear immediately as Priestley remarks, “they are all feeling rather pleased with themselves.” As the audience are introduced to the play the Birlings are celebrating the engagement of Sheila

  • The Crucible by Arthur Miller

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    most obvious of details in The Crucible. As with each time period, the era in which this book took place brought with it unique characteristics of the people and places associated with that decade. Through the use of cleverly constructed characters, Arthur Miller was able to capture the past and give us a glimpse of what it would have been like to live in the late 17th century. Among those characters include John and Elizabeth Proctor, spouse to one another, Abigail Williams, Judge Danforth, and Reverend

  • Arhurian Romances

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    women were treated as if they were animals. They did not have the respect of others and some were thought of as whores. In the stories of Erec and Enide, Lancelot, and Perceval, we see a dramatic change in this, due to the system of government that Arthur entails giving them the freedom and rights they deserved. The new man to woman relationship brought about in these stories is very different then the past stories we have read from the classical age. This system gave great honor and respect to women