Medieval Literature Unit Writing Assignment
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
4-5 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 Historical references should also be made throughout your writing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: November 18, 2013, Thesis Submission: November 19, 2013, Rough
Draft Peer Evaluation: November 21, 2013
Final Draft: Monday, November 25, 2013 - or sooner if students do not manage time well in
class. That means we will move on to something new if students are not willing to work on the
essay in class.
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 knight bood. 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