This thesis will explore the depiction of same-sex love and desire in Middle English literature by comparing and analysing two key Arthurian Romances, namely Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (SGGK)...Show moreThis thesis will explore the depiction of same-sex love and desire in Middle English literature by comparing and analysing two key Arthurian Romances, namely Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (SGGK) and Lanval. By looking at the context behind these texts, this thesis will explore how medieval audiences would have responded to the texts’ portrayals of same sex love and desire. SGGK was published around 1400, and it is interesting because of the relation between Gawain and the Green Knight. Gawain and the mysterious lord he is staying with – the Green Knight – have to exchange what Gawain receives at night; Gawain receives only kisses from the lord’s wife, and the terms of the exchange require him to ‘deliver’ these to the lord. This situation raises the question of how a medieval audience might have reacted to such an example of same sex desire – and if the audience would have interpreted this exchange as homoerotic at all. Lanval was composed around 1200. In Lanval, the main character is accused of being a homosexual. However, he only gets accused of this because he refuses the queen’s love. This raises the question of whether same sex love was seen as negative in the medieval age, and how people dealt with those who are accused of being homosexual. The analysis in this thesis will focus on the question of how medieval society dealt with same sex desire. This question will be analysed by drawing on the context of the medieval time and the literature that time produced; which was centred around the Bible. Furthermore, the analysis will focus on the differences between the texts under exploration—taking into account the different time periods in which they were written—and on the differences between these two texts in terms of how their audiences would have read the texts’ portrayals of same-sex love and desire.Show less
This thesis sheds light on Ancrene Wisse and its ties to the medieval bestiary tradition. The thesis focusses on the historical context and textual tradition of the bestiary and compares the...Show moreThis thesis sheds light on Ancrene Wisse and its ties to the medieval bestiary tradition. The thesis focusses on the historical context and textual tradition of the bestiary and compares the findings to Part Four of Ancrene Wisse, which includes the section on the beasts of sin. By comparing the portayal of animals in both Ancrene Wisse and various bestiaries, this thesis explores the extent to which the popular genre of bestiaries might have influenced the form and function of the beasts of sin found in Ancrene Wisse.Show less
After the Danes have been terrorized by the monster Grendel for over a decade, Beowulf finally restores peace by slaughtering Grendel. The Danes are overjoyed and party in their mead hall. However,...Show moreAfter the Danes have been terrorized by the monster Grendel for over a decade, Beowulf finally restores peace by slaughtering Grendel. The Danes are overjoyed and party in their mead hall. However, the mother of Grendel, as could be expected, is less than thrilled that her son has been killed and she takes revenge by killing one Dane. Many debates surround this mother: is she really a woman? Is she an actual monster or does she resemble humans in some way? But one question of particular interest has not been answered yet: the question of why Grendel’s mother does not have a name. This thesis aims to explore possible answers to that question.Show less
This thesis covers the history of 6 swear words. The changes each word underwent are discussed by analysing the etymologies and social statusses. This thesis shows how swear words have changed in...Show moreThis thesis covers the history of 6 swear words. The changes each word underwent are discussed by analysing the etymologies and social statusses. This thesis shows how swear words have changed in the English language and how future research can improve upon this.Show less
Christine de Pizan was one of the very first female authors in medieval Europe. She produced texts in which women are defended against misogyny. In her treatises Christine makes use of existing...Show moreChristine de Pizan was one of the very first female authors in medieval Europe. She produced texts in which women are defended against misogyny. In her treatises Christine makes use of existing misogynistic texts and uses them in her advantage in order to paint a positive picture of women. In addition she reprimands authors who besmirch the reputation of females. This thesis focuses on the manner in which she defends women against misogyny (which was common in medieval Europe) while she uses contemporary sources containing the very misogynistic ideas she argues against.Show less
This thesis is a study of Early Modern German medical information in Early Sixteenth century London print culture. The study focusses on information transference from the Continent to the British...Show moreThis thesis is a study of Early Modern German medical information in Early Sixteenth century London print culture. The study focusses on information transference from the Continent to the British Isles.Show less
A study of the different versions of The Wife of Bath's Prologue that appeared in the most popular editions of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales from the sixteenth until the nineteenth century.
Corruption is inherently present in Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth. The representation of corruption, both in Follett’s work and in the Medieval English church, however, has not yet been...Show moreCorruption is inherently present in Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth. The representation of corruption, both in Follett’s work and in the Medieval English church, however, has not yet been studied to its fullest extent. This thesis aims to explore whether Follett has successfully depicted the Medieval church of the twelfth century by further delving in to the several depictions of corruption that are featured in the novel, and to examine whether these can also be attributed to the Medieval church Follett is aiming to describe. Financial corruption is attested in the world of Follett by the uncertainty as to where the money to build the Kingsbridge comes from. In contrast, it is seen in the Catholic church in the appearance of indulgences. The question whether indulgences can be linked to corruption will be answered by looking at the way Follett has decided to include any form of these contracts. Indulgences were, in fact, an inventive means to have a cathedral built. The erection of the New Saint Peter’s Basilica was supported by financial support of indulgences. Historians, predominantly Protestant, in the nineteenth century have castigated the practice of indulgences. 3 This thesis also aims to present an impression as to in what extent our ideas of corruption in Medieval England has been shaped by these ideas. By including corruption of power and the corruption of faith and looking at it in both Follett’s work and the Medieval English church, this thesis will present a satisfactory answer to the question whether the picture Follett presents is a valid example of a Medieval view of the church.Show less
An edition of a devotional treatise on the seven deadly sins from Princeton University, Garrett MS 143, fols. 21v-26v. This treatise is yet unpublished.
