Canterbury Tales Essay Topics

Canterbury Tales Essay TopicsStudents interested in completing an essay on these classic novels will find that many of the basic information for each story is included in the text. However, as this story group dates back to the middle ages, and has been constantly altered, there are still many inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the text. By addressing these differences and providing students with an informed reading of these works, they will have a better understanding of how each story relates to modern-day American life.Several of the issues raised by the Canterbury Tales are still present in American society today. For example, the presence of lizards in many areas of the United States indicates that an infestation of the prehistoric reptiles occurred here long ago. In addition, the main character in the first 'Canterbury Tales' named Robin Hood murdered his father, took his inheritance, and traveled to England, supposedly with the intention of killing King Richard the Lion-Heart ed. He was pursued by Robin Hood's father, but instead of a duel, Robin Hood killed him with his sickle, suggesting that he has a bad temper and may be a sociopath.Many of the English customs used in the text have also been modified. Common burial customs of the Middle Ages included placing the body of the dead in the ground to rot away and the practice of scattering rose petals to guide evil spirits away from a dwelling, as depicted in one of the stories. The use of the cross to represent witchcraft has been replaced by the more popular use of the devil's horns, as depicted in many of the stories. Similarly, the practices of putting a goat's head on the wall, a practice still used in some regions, has been replaced by the use of a spinning wheel, which was considered to be a symbol of evil.Many of the modern changes and additions to the text in the years since the publication of 'The Canterbury Tales' include mixing and matching between the text, the illustrations, and the names of characters. Most of the additions in the book are from modern names, which often cause the text to read differently than it did originally. Similarly, certain terms have changed in the way they are spelled, such as the word hell in the original tale, which was changed to brimstone. The horse known as Goodge, which is the subject of the third story, was changed to Fatback.When the original manuscripts were published, the books were widely available and could be purchased at a wide variety of outlets. While the originals are difficult to find, copies of the books can be purchased from online retail sources, local bookstores, and universities. Students who wish to complete an essay on these classics may find that the material is even more readily available online. However, as this book group is older than most others, a more limited selection of information is available online.A number of online sources offer classes on the Canterbury Tales. While not every story is taught, many of th e current stories, such as the Christmas Carol, are offered in lecture form, allowing the student to discuss the texts and question their instructors. The need for these materials is significant, as the primary literary source is now viewed as outdated. Additionally, many students who are familiar with the original texts will want to know about the contemporary versions.Students interested in completing an essay on the new versions of the Canterbury Tales may also wish to consult online resources that include both texts. The earliest stories are generally only discussed in a cursory manner, since many of the passages are only present in the modern version. Students can then attempt to trace the various influences on the original tales, along with researching the current editions.Students interested in completing an essay on the modern Canterbury Tales should study the various versions, the various translations, and any sources that reference the different versions of the original. T hey should also research the various translations and seek out more information about the various editions of the modern versions of the story. They should also learn about the impact of the works on modern society, including the misconceptions of its characters, and the historical influences of the stories, especially on the relationships between the characters and their roles in modern society.