This thesis will discuss how Le Guin has adapted both the standard medieval dragon and the dragons in the narratives of Tolkien and Lewis in her own work, The Books of Earthsea.
This thesis explores the existence of Old English elegiac elements in Breton Lays from Medieval England. These Breton Lays include Marie de France's "Lanval" and "Chaitivel", as well as "Sir Orfeo"...Show moreThis thesis explores the existence of Old English elegiac elements in Breton Lays from Medieval England. These Breton Lays include Marie de France's "Lanval" and "Chaitivel", as well as "Sir Orfeo". The thesis examines the existence of elegiac elements in Old English poems, and refers to "The Wanderer", "The Seafarer" and "The Ruin" to delineate markers in Old English elegiac poems.Show less
Research master thesis | Linguistics (research) (MA)
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This thesis traces the lexical influence of Ælfric of Eynsham (c. 955-c. 1010) in two twelfth-century English translations: Ralph d'Escures' homily on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and...Show moreThis thesis traces the lexical influence of Ælfric of Eynsham (c. 955-c. 1010) in two twelfth-century English translations: Ralph d'Escures' homily on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and Honorius Augustodunensis' Elucidarium.Show less
Modern Beowulf scholarship found its origin in 1815 with the publication of the Latin translation of Beowulf by the Icelandic-Danish scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelín. Although not the first to...Show moreModern Beowulf scholarship found its origin in 1815 with the publication of the Latin translation of Beowulf by the Icelandic-Danish scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelín. Although not the first to tackle the Old English Beowulf, as Sharon Turner had in fact translated a selection of the poem to Modern English as early as 1805, Thorkelín was the first to provide a complete translation of Beowulf in any language. As such, he was the first to introduce its cast of characters to the critics and other translators. Since then, Beowulf has received sustained critical attention. The fact that Beowulf has been available for critical review for such a long period of time makes it impossible for a single person to read, discuss, or even just be aware of all the critical works published on Beowulf. Consequently, the current study cannot cover all that has been written on Grendel’s mother and her representation; it does, however, attempt to paint a picture of the evolving scholarly reception of Grendel’s mother by discussing some of its major developments.Show less
This thesis traces the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship in the Old English biblical poem 'Daniel.' To begin with, the thesis describes the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship according to a...Show moreThis thesis traces the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship in the Old English biblical poem 'Daniel.' To begin with, the thesis describes the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship according to a number of major Anglo-Saxon authors, like Wulfstan and Ælfric. Next, the study connects the Anglo-Saxon ideal of counsellorship to the Old English 'Daniel.' The study shows that the poem's depiction of good counsellors is remarkably similar to the ideal for Anglo-Saxon counsellors as described by the important Anglo-Saxon authors. Both the poem and these authors depict the ideal counsellor as righteous, wise and selfless. Therefore, the thesis argues that the Old English 'Daniel' should be read as a mirror for counsellors.Show less
Dysentery was a common disease in medieval England. This thesis entails a comparison of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of dysentery in Old English and Middle English medical texts, as well...Show moreDysentery was a common disease in medieval England. This thesis entails a comparison of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of dysentery in Old English and Middle English medical texts, as well as an analysis of the various remedies’ effectiveness against this disease. The methodology consists of a comparative analysis between early and late medieval medical texts, in the light of relevant scholarship on medieval medicine and modern medical research, based on close readings of these texts.Show less
This thesis analyses George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire from a medievalist perspective. By comparing Martin’s representation of several significant themes to his medieval...Show moreThis thesis analyses George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire from a medievalist perspective. By comparing Martin’s representation of several significant themes to his medieval and medievalist sources, we can see how he deviates from his sources to problematize the medieval. Firstly, Martin’s portrayal of women is discussed, highlighting strong female characters such as Daenerys. Another important aspect that is addressed is chivalry, discussing both the romantic side of chivalry and court life, as well as chivalry in regards to honour and righteousness. Altogether, this thesis analyses how Martin’s depiction of gender roles and chivalry may be interpreted as subverting the medieval ideals that Martin so clearly based himself on.Show less
The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings, where Duke William defeated King Harold. It is generally believed that the Bayeux Tapestry...Show moreThe Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings, where Duke William defeated King Harold. It is generally believed that the Bayeux Tapestry provides a biased account of the Conquest and has a pro-Norman view. This thesis will demonstrate how, despite the fact that the Tapestry is commissioned by a Norman patron, the Tapestry reveals a sympathetic attitude towards Harold, and that this is probably the influence of the English embroiderers. The Tapestry provides, in comparison with Norman, Anglo-Norman and English written sources, an unbiased account of the Conquest: neither pro-Norman nor pro-English. The influence of a Norman patron and English embroiderers is illustrated through certain scenes of Harold and William and the relationship between the main narrative and the commentary in the borders of the Tapestry.Show less
