ENGL-313

Notes by Fatima Alblooshi :)

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02 03 04

Middle English Evolution of Geofrrey To do

Literature in the 14th and 15th Chaucer (writing task)
14th and 15th century
century
4
 Evolution of the
14th and 15th century.

6
Rich continued to
be rich and the
poor became
poorer. Rich
wanted to sustain
this power, so they
started misusing
their power. Class System
I
 religion
Religion emerged. Christianity
was wide
-spread.

9
Geoffrey Chaucer’s work
depict the society of his
times.

His father was a merchant

and took Chaucer
everywhere.

He could read, write and

communicate in English,
French and Latin.

He had a job in the court

due to his father’s
references. Geoffrey Chaucer
10
Society of Chaucer’s time

Chaucer noticed his society. The way people

were converted to Christianity by threat that
would be killed if they didn’t Aller their faith or
paid some amount for their sins; otherwise,
they would burn in hell. He wasn’t against the
faith as he was himself a practicing Christianity.
He could see that something was wrong. 11
Canterbury
Tales
By: Fatima Alblooshi

12
Original plan for the Canterbury Tales
Chaucer actually planned to write
120 stories in total. 29 pilgrims
would eah say two stories on the
goin and two at the coming. Plus 4,
the stories that he would
narrate. And the best would win a
dinner at a fictional place by the host
at the end of the journey.
22 stories and mo
However, he could only complete
2 remained

uncompleted.

13
 Chaucer
Story Tellers

Story Tales
Pilgrims

tal

pilgi que e
inraser
t 14
 The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer observed how the pilgrims

behavedwhile their pilgrimage,drinking,
cheating, singing. He had stories
accumulated in his mind of the many
societies that he wanted to pen them
dowerin someway.
1S
 Why did Chaucer choose the pilgrims to narrate
his stories

Classes Experince

In the pilgrimage Chaucer has already

only people of every seen pardoner’s in his
real life.
class would mix up.

16
03.

General Prologue

17
A pardoner
A person appointed by the
Church to whom people come to
confess their sins during the 13th
century. However, the religious
leaders become corrupt and
greedy (for food and money).
18
The Pardoner’s Prologue & The Tale

Pardoner who is mentioned in the

Canterbury Tales is a pilgrim. In the
prologue, the pardoner shows of/
brags to his fellow pilgrims. The
wrong way he misuses the power
and extracts money from the poor
people.

Abusing Power as a priest.

2
 What is a normal Pardoner’s job?

Ask forgivness
from God for
others
Collect money A messanger
for charity

21
I.
*2
Explaining of
the Tale
·How is Geoffrey Chaucer portraying his society
the
in the tale of Pardoner?
• Greed is the roof of all evilt
22
Question: How is Geoffrey Chaucer revealing the reality of people
of his time through his work?

“Canterbury Tales”, is a well written collection of 22 stories by

Geoffrey Chaucer. Although he had planned to write 120 stories, but
he passed away before completing them all. The tales depict the
society of his time. This essay will talk abouthe Geoffrey Chaucer is
revealing the reality of people of his time by his works.

To start with, the Pardoner is a person who is appointed by the

church to collect money and ask god for others forgiveness. He
starts bragging about himself and talks about how he is fooling
people by taking their money for his personal use. After that, he
begins with the tale. The prologue of Pardoner is important since
Chaucer is highlighting how people who were supposed to be
religious and more connected were the ones fooling other people.

Moving to the tale, it mainly talks about three friends who after
getting a treasure plan things against each other. The two who are
waiting plan to kill their friend who went to get food and wine so
that they get a larger share of the treasure. On the other hand, the
friend who went to buy food and wine, poisons the food so that all
the treasure would be his. At the end, all three of them die because
of greed. “Greed is all the root of evil”. Moreover, the tale also
highlights how the people of the middle class or lower class go any
further just to get a larger share of the money.
All in all, each tale and prologue has a unique story which portrays a
different society of people. Since Geoffrey Chaucer would travel a
lot, he had all these stories and ideas accumulated in his mind. And
he did a great job writing them down for the next generations.

23
What is the message of the play, “The Second Shepherd’s Play”

Mystery Plays have stories that are related to the Bible with an
implication to both of Christ. Mystery plays used to be performed by the
clergy people and their main aim was to teach biblical teachings to the
people who are not aware of it. Mystery plays used to be performed
outside of the church. But the moment it was taken by the guilds the
stories or the theme of Mystery plays also got a shift, and the guilds were
making satirical comments about the church. The play, “The Second
Shepherd’s Play”, is considered to be a mystery play. This essay will talk
about the message of the play.

To begin with, the plot of the play revolves around three shepherds who
are complaining about the weather and their life. Soon one of their sheep
is stolen by a thrift named Mak. When they are at their house, Mak and
his wife cover the sheep and pretend that they had a new baby. Soon their
lie is no secret to them. And although the punishment for stealing is
death, the shepherds just humiliate them and forgive them.

Once they are on their way back, there is an explosion of light and music.
An Angel appears in front of them to give them the news that they ought
to go to Bethlehem and see the birth of Christ. They prepare gifts to take
to the newborn baby. They forget about their ill condition, the weather, or
how poor they are. They feel lucky to be able to see the birth of Christ.

The main message of this play is that we have to forgive others. Having a
soft heart will benefit us in the end. And the people all of us are servants
of God, if we cannot forgive someone how can we expect our God to
forgive our sins?

To conclude, the mystery play highlights an important point about

forgiveness and reward. The three shepherds who were able to forgive
Mak for his bad deeds doubt know that very soon God would reward
them. 24
 Morality Play

Everyman
By Fatima Alblooshi

30
 01
Morality Play

31
 Morality Plays: a type of play that was
popular in the 15th and 16th centuries and
was indeed to teach a moral lesson,
using characters to represent good and
bad qualities.
 02
Everyman
A Morality Play

3
2
Characters of Everyman

God Just but merciful Supreme Being

Messenger commanded by God

Death to summon Everyman

Typical human being who has

Everyman neglected his spiritual life but
repents his sins to be saved.

Goods Wealth

33
Characters of Everman
The only friend willing to
Good deeds accompany Everyman to the
afterlife

Five wits Five senses of human beings

Creature that welcome’s

Angel Everyman to the celestial realm

Scholar who delivers words of

Doctor warning at the end of the play

34
Characters of Everman
Fellowship
Knowledge
Confession
Beauty Earthly acquaintances of
Everyman who abandon him in
Strength his time of need.

Discretion
Kindred
Cousin 35
 Everyman & everyman

Everyman everyman
Name of the story Every human
and the character being

36
Allegory
2 levels of stories:

1. Literal Level: characters

development/ setting.

2. Metaphorical/ allegorical
level: setting.

- The Play refers to every

humankind.

37
 Plot of Everyman
• The story takes place on earth as well as in God’s realm.
• God: a character who sees his people who have lost their spirituality. They
do not pray to God, neither they thank him and are busy in their own lives.
• God calls his manager (Death) to call and take life of Everyman (who is
representing every human being).
• Death meets Everyman and tells him the purpose of his arrival.

• Death suggest Everyman to take a pilgrimage.

• Everyman expects his fellowship/ best friend and kindred (blood-relations)
to come along with him to take a walk with Death and help him to enhance
the book of deeds.
• They simply refuse
33
 Plot of Everyman
• When he asks Wealth, he also refuses because he has been taken care
of very carefully and is very lazy. ( appears as a fat character).
• Then comes the Good deeds ( a woman), fragile and weak, she send her
sister, Knowledge to accompany Everyman.
• Knowledge teaches Everyman to be aware of his sins which enhances
Good deeds.
• After Confession and forgiveness prepare Everyman to enter the grave
and be ready to face God and enter paradise and live eternally.

3
Morality Plays, the name itself suggests that the main theme of
these plays would be about ‘moral values’. Although they had
religious themes but moral values are also added to it. These type
of plays got popular and the main purpose was to teach the
audience about their religion. In this essay,the central message of
Everyman will be discussed and how if it considered to be
allegorical.

To start with, “Everyman”, is a play that is portraying the life of

the character named, Everyman. However at the same time it is
symbolizing all the human beings. And that’s the reason why it is
considered to be an allegorical work. It has two meanings, the
surface meaning which is the story of Everyman and the inner
story of how every human being is a slave for his desires.

The story begins when God sends his messenger named Death to
Everyman. When Death arrives and explains his purpose and how
Everyman has to enhance his book of deeds because soon he will
be entering the grave. It’s not shocking that, Kindred, Fellowship
and Wealth let him down by refusing to take the journey with him.
Although the had devoted so much of his time to creating his
Wealth and dedicated enough time to have fun with his friends and
cousins. None of them came to help him.

All in all, in the end, it is Good Deeds who appears to be the

fragile woman that sends her sister Knowlege to help Everyman.
Confession and Forgiveness finally prepare Everyman to enter his
grave. The message of this play is beautifully portrayed. Anyone
can put themselves in the shoe of Everyman, and that's when we
realize that we should have a balance in our lives to win
hereafter. 20
P

uU
T
D
F
 01 02
Introduction Part I
Characters and Prologue Scene 1, 3 and 5
(selections only)

Table of
Contents
03 04
Part II Part III
Faustus’ journey & his Scene 12 and 13
knowledge (selections only)

1
- Doctor Faustus
- Good Angel
- Evil Angel
- Mephastophilis
CHARACTERS

43
 01
PROLOGUE

U
Introduction by the Chorus

● Introduction to the character called Doctor Faustus

● Warn us to not deside randomly whether he was a good
person or a bad one.
● From line 10, 15: Quick biography of Dr. Faustus.
● Was born in a common family in Germany.
● He had mastered the study of divinity.
● Dr. Fua stus wants to learn necromancy.
● Necromancy = black magic

Purpose of prologue: To introduce the protagonist 45

 Scene 1, 3 & 5
PART I 46
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PART I scene 1
Scene Why Faustus choose to study black magic.
47
 PART I scene 3
● Dr. Faustus wants to see whether his basic magic will work.
● A devil appears Infront of him, who is very ugly.
● Faustus tells him to change his appearance: devil to priest.
● Faustus already rejects Heaven.
● Mephastophilis comes from Hell.
● Faustus is happy that now by his knowledge he can command a devil.
● He asks Mephastophilis to be his servant until he is alive.

● Mephastophilis tells him that he already is the servant of Lucifer, and that he
must take permission from him to serve Dr. Faustus.
 ● Mephastophilis warns Doctor Faustus to be careful that he is doing a wrong
thing.

● Mephastophilis isn’t happy- this is hell to him, nor he is in it, neither out of

48 it.
PART I scene 5
• Good Angel advices Dr. Faustus to repent.
• Evil Angel: He is saying all trash, there is no place called Heaven. Think of honor & wealth.
Since Mephastophilis is by your side, even God can’t punish you.
• Mephastophilis tells him the good news that his master willingly told him to be a servant of
your, but on one condition: to sign a contract by your own blood for a complete of 24 years.
• Faustus cuts his arm, and by the dripping blood asks Mephastophilis where to sign, and
Mephastophilis tells him he shouldn’t sign but write the whole contract by his blood.
• While Faustus’ blood hardens, Mephastophilis brings fire to make it flow again.
• Dr. Faustus thinks that Mephastophilis is under his command, but Mephastophilis is
commanding Faustus.
• Mephastophilis: O what will not I do to obtain his soul!
Meaning he would do anything to get his soul.

Homo fuge: inscription appears on his arm, meaning o man fly. 49

• Again, when Faustus is in doubt, Mephastophilis and Lucifer bring robes, clothes and
jewelry.
PART II
FAUSTUS’ JOURNEY
& HIS KNOWLEDGE

50
 Faustus’ Journey & his Knowledge

Good Angel keeps telling

Faustus dosn’t gain any Hidden agenda by Lucifer &
him to repe nt, but he
knowledge b ut only Mephastophilis to take his
doesn’t.
manipulates his knowledge. soul.

Faustus himself doesn’t Tempting & pleasurable the His mistake leads to the
understand their game. But Evil appears at the greatest downfall
the readers do. beggining. 51
 PART III
THE
DOWNFALL
SCENE 13

52
 A TIMELINE ALWAYS
WORKS FINE

WISHES TO EPILOGE
TURN
HIMSELF
INTO AIR

WANTS TO DRAGGING
REPENT BUT HIS SOUL TO
HE CAN’T THE HELL

33
 QUESTION #1
How does Faustus use the magical
powers that he receives?

ESSAY
WRITING
QUESTIONS QUESTION #2
What is the role of Good Angel and
Evil Angel throughout the play?

5
What is the role of the good angel and the evil angel throughout the play,
“Doctor Faustus”

Christopher Marlowe's Elizabethan tragedy, “Doctor Faustus”, also

known as The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus,
is based on German tales concerning the Doctor Faustus’s character. It
was most likely written in 1592 or 1593, just before Marlowe passed
away. The play is about how Doctor Faustus sells his sole to the devil.
This essay particularly talk about the significant role of the good and
evil angel.

To start with, whenever Doctor Faustus is seen to take a decision

between something good and bad, there always appears a good angel
and an evil angel in front of him. For instance, when he decides to learn
about black magic, both of the angels appear. However, one of the angel,
which is the good Angel, she melts warning him that he is about to take
a bad decision, on the other hand, the evil angel always supported him
for his evil thoughts.

Both of the angels also signify that Doctor Faustus at every stage of his
life had his free will. Everything that happened to him is the
consequences of his choices. He was not forced to do so but his desire
for fame and to be able to bring dead to life made him fall for this trap.

The good angel is always seen directing Doctor Faustus and telling him
to be cautious, while the evil angel always let him think that it is too late
to go back or to seek forgiveness. In the scene where Doctor Faustus is
about to sign the contract, and he thinks twice. Soon the evil angel
appears in front of him saying that it’s already too late.

All in all, the good angel or the bad angel are both equally significant
throughout the play. Showing that the character, Doctor Faustus has both
good and evil advice. But as a human being he had his free will to
choose what he desires the most. At the end he paid for what evil acts he
choose to do and to sign and sell his soul to the devils.
55
Sonnet
29When i Disgrace E yes
wit Menan Fortunes
n h d
: by Willia Shakespeare
m
What is the message in the poem, “When in Disgrace with Fortune
and Men’s Eyes” and why is the poet sad or depressed?

To start with, the poem written by William Shakespeare, “When in

disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes”, is a sonnet. It consists of 14
lines. There is a problem and a solution to it that is mentioned in
the ending lines of the poem. The speaker seems to be alone as he
cries for his rejected state, “I all alone between my outcast state”.
Moreover, the speaker when talking to the lord of the heavens is as
if God is dead to his useless cries. The speaker is sad because he
believes that he doesn't fit in that society. And he is always wishing
to be like others in having hope for a bright future. The message
that is given in the I'm is that although in his mind he is going
through a lot, but once he thinks about the godlike creature, he is
so at peace that he wouldn't even change his place with the kings.
58
59
Why is the speaker in the poem, “Death be not proud”, is telling
Death to not be proud?

“Death Be Not Proud”, is a beautifully written poem by John

Donne. The poem has two stanzas. It is filled with figures of
speech such as similes and metaphors. The speaker is seen
comparing Death to various things, and that is why the speaker
says that Death shouldn't be proud of himself because other things
can give the taste of death to people.

Firstly, the speaker says that although people consider Death to be

‘mighty’, and ‘dreadful’, Death doesn't have any superpowers.
The people that have been taken away by Death, are not dead.
Moreover, there are other faces of death such as resting or
sleeping. It gives pleasure when a person is taking a rest or
sleeping, then why the fear of an extended rest? Furthermore, the
speaker says that Death is nothing but a slave to fate, chance,
kings, poison, and more. But drugs can also give us the same rest.
The speaker calls out to Death saying that it's just a shot of sleep
and then people would wake up eternally, and no more Death
would come. But by dying, Death would die, and the person
wouldn't.
61
“Paradise lost”, is an epic that talks about the plan of Satan against
God and his new creation which is the human beings . The epic
talks about those who were obedient to God and became devils.
Moreover, it also talks about those who were on the devil side, but
eventually asked for forgiveness. This essay will mainly talk about
the themes of the epic.

To begin with, Satan is planning to corrupt Adam and Eve he feels

really envious when he sees Adam and Eve and the life they are
having in heaven, he remembers his good days his soon corrupts
Eve by telling her that if she would eat from the knowledge tree,
she would might become a goddess as soon as is eat the apple she is
regretting her decision. Moreover, Adam also eats the apple in
order, so that both is an Adam would have the same punishment.

The second theme is about forgiveness. The angel Abdiel he did

join the meetings of devils but soon he realize that whatever they
are doing is completely wrong, so what he did was to go back to
God, commit, or ask for forgiveness for his sins, and he did was
granted forgiveness.

Lastly, we can talk about Adam and Eve that, even when they were
thrown out of heaven, they were the ones who was angry on Satan
so now it was their plan to take their revenge against certain what
could they do is there to be obedience to God and to not listen to
Satan.

All in all the epic story is really common to most of the readers,
because it is a story that is seen in the Bible even though it’s a
common story rereading, it gives more lessons to every human
beings, because it is in our hands to choose the way we live, which
would determine the kind of life we would live in here after .
65