Everyman, a 14th-century morality play by an anonymous author, seeks to answer the timeless

question: how should a person best use his time on earth? It engages the reader and makes them reflect
upon life—personifying some of the most important and recurring qualities and characteristics we
embody on our journey. Although targeting a Christian audience, it is relatable and adaptive to multiple
beliefs, causing inevitable reflection on the true meaning of life.

SUMMARY

The play begins with God who summons Death to retrieve Everyman. God is bothered by the
way mankind has been living their lives—sinfully and without regard to the great sacrifices made by
Christ on the cross. Death forces Everyman to take account of the life he’s lived, and although
bargaining does not work for Everyman outright, Death does allow for him to take along any
companions he can muster to help make his case on at the moment of his final judgment. He begins
by attempting to persuade Fellowship and Kindred, who both seem to agree to accompany him, but
once they realize they will be going towards Death’s door, they back out. After the rejection of
friends and family, Everyman turns to the material and the immaterial—Goods and Good Deeds.
Goods immediately rejects him, and while Good Deeds is willing to go with him, she is unable,
having been weakened by Everyman’s sinful acts. Good Deeds then introduces her sister Knowledge,
as a means by which Everyman can restore strength to Good Deeds, who then guides him to
Confession. After repenting, he discovers its freedom and is now ready for God’s judgement having
Good Deeds as a worthy companion. He is then allowed to call upon Beauty, Strength, Discretion,
and his Five Wits. While they initially promise to stay with him, they also leave him. Good Deeds is
the only one that is with him until the end, emphasizing that everything else in life is fleeting and we
shall, therefore, must perform acts of kindness and charity throughout our lives.

Themes

A main theme throughout is the struggle between good and evil and the universality of the human
experience in the material world. Similarly, the play also depicts a man’s struggle to avoid vices and
seeks virtues in his journey. I believe the transient nature of the material world is the most prevalent
theme of the play. Goods quickly rejects him, and even believes his presence could squander whatever
goodwill God may offer to Everyman on his day of judgment

Questions.

1. What sinful acts do you think weakened Good Deeds, and would those acts still be considered
“sinful” today?
2. Do you agree Good Deeds are truly the only things you can take with you when you die?
Ballad by Sir Patrick

Summary:
Sir Patrick Spens" is a traditional ballad that tells the tragic story of a noble sailor, Sir Patrick
Spens, who is commanded by a nameless king to sail a ship into a perilous storm, ultimately leading to his
death and the loss of his entire crew, highlighting themes of absolute obedience to authority, the
inevitability of fate, and the devastating consequences of a reckless command, with the sea often
symbolizing the unknown and the dangers of defying nature's power.

 Plot: The king, without regard for the weather conditions, orders Sir Patrick Spens to sail to
Norway to fetch the king's daughter, despite warnings from an old sailor about the impending
storm. Sir Patrick, bound by duty, sets sail and the ship is destroyed in a violent tempest, killing
everyone on board.

Themes:
 Loyalty and Duty:
Sir Patrick Spens is portrayed as a loyal subject who sacrifices his life by following the king's orders,
even when he knows it's a death sentence.
 Fatalism:
The story emphasizes the idea that fate is predetermined, with the storm representing an unstoppable
force that cannot be avoided.
 Power Dynamics:
The nameless king symbolizes the absolute authority that can demand unquestioning obedience, even at
the cost of human lives.

Symbolism:
 The Sea:
Represents the unknown, the unpredictable nature of life, and the potential for disaster.
 The Storm:
A physical manifestation of the impending doom and the king's reckless command.
 The Women on Shore:
Represent the grief and despair of those left behind waiting for their loved ones who will never return.

Questions:

1. Why does Sir Patrick Spens reluctantly accept the King's order?

Last Line
O lang, lang may the maidens sit
With their gold combs in their hair,
All waiting for their own dear loves,
For them they'll see nae mair

"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,"

A mysterious Green Knight challenges King Arthur's court, and Sir Gawain steps forward to accept
the challenge: to behead the Green Knight, but then must endure a return blow in one year and a
day. Gawain embarks on a quest to the Green Chapel, where he faces temptation from a lady of the
castle, accepting a magical girdle that symbolizes his fear of death, ultimately failing to uphold the
chivalric code. Though he survives the Green Knight's strike, Gawain is humbled by his lapse in
honor, highlighting the poem's key themes of testing chivalry, facing temptation, and the struggle for
moral integrity.
Key Symbolism:
 The Green Knight: Represents the natural world, the unknown, and the test of mortality.
 The Green Girdle: Represents Gawain's fear and his failure to uphold his chivalric code.
 The Pentangle on Gawain's Shield: Symbolizes the five virtues of chivalry: generosity,
courtesy, chastity, piety, and justice.
Themes:
 Chivalry:
The poem explores the ideals of knighthood and the consequences of failing to live up to them.
 Temptation:
Gawain's encounter with the lady represents the allure of earthly desires and the struggle against
them.
 Honesty and Self-Awareness:
Gawain's realization of his own shortcomings and his eventual acceptance of his flaws.
 Mortality:
The Green Knight's challenge confronts Gawain with the inevitability of death.

The Counterbury Tales

Key symbols include springtime representing renewal, clothing signifying social status, and the
pilgrimage itself representing the human journey towards spiritual enlightenment, while major themes
include the exploration of morality, hypocrisy within the Church, social critique, and the complex
roles of women in society.
Key points about the story:
 Structure:
A frame narrative where a group of pilgrims on a journey to Canterbury tell stories to entertain each
other, with the Host acting as the moderator.
 Character portrayals:
Each pilgrim is vividly described in the "General Prologue," highlighting their social status,
personality traits, and often their flaws.
 Social commentary:
Chaucer uses the stories to critique the corruption within the Church, the abuses of power by the
nobility, and the struggles of the common people.
Important symbols:
 Springtime: Represents renewal, rebirth, and the awakening of human desires, often associated
with the start of the pilgrimage.
 Clothing and appearance: A reflection of each character's social status and personality.
 The pilgrimage itself: Symbolizes the human journey towards spiritual enlightenment and self-
discovery.
Major themes:
 Social class:
The different stories reveal the power dynamics and conflicts between different social classes in
medieval England.
 Religion and morality:
Many tales explore questions of religious faith, sin, and redemption, often highlighting hypocrisy
within the Church.
 Gender roles:
The stories frequently examine the perspectives and experiences of women in a patriarchal society,
with characters like the Wife of Bath challenging traditional expectations.
 Human nature:
 Chaucer explores the complexities of human behavior, including greed, love, deceit, and virtue
through the varied narratives

Le Morte D’Arthur
The story of King Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail,
ultimately leading to Arthur's tragic downfall due to the betrayal of his knight Lancelot and Queen
Guinevere; key symbols include the magical sword Excalibur representing power and authority, the
Round Table symbolizing unity and chivalry, while the central theme explores the consequences of love,
betrayal, and the struggle to uphold the code of chivalry.
Key points:
 Plot:
Arthur is chosen as king by pulling the sword Excalibur from the stone, establishes the Knights of the
Round Table, and faces various challenges, including the quest for the Holy Grail. However, his reign
is shattered by the secret love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere, leading to war and ultimately
Arthur's death.
 Symbolism:
 Excalibur: Represents Arthur's rightful power as king, bestowed upon him by the Lady
of the Lake.
 The Round Table: Represents equality and brotherhood among the knights, with no
single seat of power.
 The Holy Grail: Symbolizes the ultimate spiritual quest, representing purity and
perfection.
 Themes:
 Chivalry: The code of honor and loyalty upheld by the knights, which is ultimately
tested and broken by the characters' actions.
 Love and Betrayal: The destructive power of love, especially when it leads to infidelity
and treachery.
 Fate and Destiny: The idea that Arthur's downfall is predetermined, despite his attempts
to resist