Compare/contrast the element of community in the following pieces of literature,
drawing evidence from both literary and informational texts to support your analysis.
Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Brave New World
Find in your notebook the following. Review this material to determine your thesis, which frames this literary
analysis compare/contrast essay.
-The white stapled Tenets of Belief packet
-The BLUE Beowulf handouts, including “Elements of
the Epic Hero” for ideas on the epic hero, who
represents the Anglo-Saxon community beliefs.
-The GOLDENROD Canterbury Tales character sheet.
These characters represent the whole of this 14th
century English community.
-The PINK Tragedy of Macbeth information. This
tragic hero represents medieval values.
-The IVORY Brave New World material. What is
Aldous Huxley’s message in this novel, which was
published in 1932?
What is your thesis? It should address the prompt above (bolded on the top of this page):
Community Influences literature; values of the time are reflected in the themes of
these pieces of literature. Represents diversity in culture and values.
These literary pieces connect in heroism, tragedy and pride, while they contrast in
time, beliefs and conflicts.
Opening/topic sentence for first body paragraph, using title(s) and author(s) of the literature:
Topic sentence is a general idea of where you are going. Then get into specifics within the body paragraph(s).
B
NOTE: You MUST address each of the four pieces of literature within your comparison and within your contrast.
Opening/topic sentence for second body paragraph, using title(s) and author(s) of the literature:
CONCLUSION IDEA: Bring in message to a modern reader/theme. NO FIRST PERSON (I, you). Bring in the modern
era (21st century) – warnings that the text gives. From Anglo-Saxon times until the World War era, literature offers
….
Other opening/topic sentences:
Citing lines: B and CT use (line number)
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
Important ideas from
Beowulf text
Remember that the character’s name is
not italicized, but the name of the
literature is. Of course you will underline
titles in your writing.
Beowulf Tenets of Belief
Macbeth use (act.scene.line)
page number of quote(s) of support/paraphrased support
Beowulf is the ultimate warrior of Anglo-Saxon times. He embodies
values of bravery and loyalty, and boldly faces death.
Pg. 39 + blue sheet with quotes of support
3 tenets of AS philosophy: 1. A vision of evil in the world, 2. A belief in
the power of fate, and 3. A resignation to the certainty of death.
NOW show how Beowulf represents those beliefs.
The Canterbury Tales text
Page 90
The Canterbury Tales Tenets of Belief
Macbeth text (Think catalyst!)
Remember that the character’s name is
not italicized, but the name of the
literature is. Of course you will underline
titles in your writing.
Macbeth Tenets of Belief
BNW text
BNW Tenets of Belief
Strangers meeting for the first time at the Tabard Inn (each
representing his/her social status – knight represents ALL knights, etc.)
to begin their pilgrimage to Canterbury. Creating a diverse community
(from high to low social status). One example of + for church (hope …)
Culture is under tension/Church issues. Celebration of faith, hope and
love. What makes a good or a bad Christian. Traditional value scheme.
Thoroughly social. Entire way of life is under scrutiny.
Elizabethan era: superstitious, but strong Christian beliefs, Great Chain
of Being, loyalty to king, consequences for actions. Macbeth: see
quotes of support/notes – how he represents potential, but his tragic
flaw of “vaulting ambition” impedes his potential (cite the quote here).
Page 314. (Citations: act.scene.line).
Written for King James I, Shakespeare’s patron. Wars over the king’s religion
(Catholicism vs. Protestantism). Loss of ability to trust. Divine order of king:
king thinks he only answers to and is judged only by God. King makes all
decisions. Great Chain of Being: an offense against God to try to alter one’s
station in life. Any disorder in one part of universe affected the others.
Written as a warning to future generations (what is the warning?). Written in
1931. Ford: assembly line technology. Freud. After World War I, Great
Depression (America – not affecting Europe?), dictatorships (Socialism,
Communism – caste system), Capitalism (hynopedia: Ending is better than
mending), social conformity. SATIRE. What is the author’s message?
Compare/contrast the
elements of community
in this British literature:
Beowulf
The Canterbury Tales
How alike?
How different?
With regard to
Patterns of significant similarities and differences:
Conclusion/interpretation/themes:
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Brave New World
Remember: NO 1st or 2nd person.
Use present tense for literature.