Medieval Literature Unit Writing Assignment- This will count as your final for the
semester.
Literature and Media Covered
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”
“Le Morte D’Arthur”
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
“The Lady of Shalott”
“La Belle Dame Sans Merci”
Essay Guidelines:
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Times New Roman or Arial Font
Double Spaced
MLA Format
Work Cited Page
5-6 pages in length
Please use direct quotes from the reading or film- cite them correctly!
Your essay should demonstrate both a critical and insightful understanding of
the medieval literature covered in class. Historical references should also be
made throughout your writing
8. Due Date: Topic Selection: December 10, 2014 Thesis Submission: December
11, 2014, Rough Draft Peer Evaluation: December 15, 2014
Final Draft: Friday, December 19, 2014
Choose one of the following writing prompts to respond to.
1. Explore the satire displayed in Monty Python, choose three topics listed on our
Monty Python study guide and write about how these topics were satirized in
the film. Contrast the film with historical facts and the idealized version of
events we read about in “Sir Gawain” and “Le Morte D’Arthur”.
2. Symbols are an important part of all pieces of literature covered in this unit.
Define symbolism then choose three symbols from the various stories and
explore their meaning and significance throughout the different pieces of
literature. Ex. : Excalibur, The Holy Grail, Suit of Arms.
3. Examine the ideal of knighthood as presented in Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight. Research the historical aspect of the chivalric code and knighthood. In
what ways is Gawain an ideal knight and in what ways does he fail to live up to
that ideal? In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, does the poet endorse the
chivalric ideal or condemn it?
4. Until she saw Lancelot ride by, the lady was living in complete isolation from
the world. In an essay, explain the psychological effects of total isolation on a
person. Does today’s modern media (TV, Texting, Phones, Computers, video
games) isolate people from real relationships? Compare these devices to the
Lady’s mirror. You could also include the Knight in “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”
within this essay. He becomes enraptured with an imaginary lady who does
not exist.
5. Find a contemporary song you think has the same message as Keats’s poem,
“La Belle Dame Sans Merci”. Compare the song with the poem to comment on
the ways people of the nineteenth century and the twenty first century view
love.
6. Write your own Arthurian legend. Research Arthurian characters and create
an adventure for them. This would be in a short story format. Students have
had a great deal of fun with this assignment in years past.
7. Don’t see an idea you like? Come up with your own literary analysis topic and
propose it to Mrs. Scott