Activity 4: Understanding the Literary Works

Based on the literary pieces which you were asked to read and study, answer each of the
following questions:
For Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1. What challenge does the Green Knight present to Arthur and his knights?
 The Green Knight walked up to the King Arthur's castle's round table without making any threats
or expressing any disapproval; instead, the knight just imposed on his Christmas game for those
who were brave enough to enter. Any clever person may participate in his suggested game, in
which he would provide someone with an axe to chop off their own heads. Anyone who had
done so was free to keep his axe, and by a year and a day from that time, the green knight would
also be the one to chop off that person's head, just as he had done to his own.

2. What was the most important role of the Green Knight in the story?

 Based on how people see themselves as someone noble, devoted, or brave, the Green
Knight in the story proves to be a motivating factor to reengage a person. He envisions
this as a test to determine a person's level of chivalry as a knight. By doing this, the
green knight can decide whether or not a person is qualified to carry a title that is
honorable and worthy, such as a knight, or whether they have the power to uphold
loyalty above all else.
3. How important chivalry and loyalty are in these present times? Defend your answer.

 Even though they are as ancient as one might think, chivalry and loyalty are still very
important in today's world because they are responsible for a person's behavior in terms
of respect, courtesy, bravery, and overall cultural appropriateness. When men and
women treat one another with respect, the result is a society where everyone is treated
with love, care, and unity. A knight should strongly instill these qualities in oneself as
dedicated and active participants in rigorous and just moral deeds: treating everyone
equally regardless of differences and providing assistance to those who need it. Even
though they were developed centuries apart, these two ideas still maintain a high level
of credibility because we desperately need them to be spread with respect and accepted
by those who abuse their freedom to spread toxicity and deceit. Only then would we be
able to address a fundamental issue in today's society—namely, the perception of
mistrust and distaste toward the lost meaning of chivalry and loyalty. Only when
individuals in the modern day regularly awaken their senses and perceive the world in
colors rather than black and white will we be able to make a difference.
For Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
1. What lessons/ morals can be derived from The Nun’s Priestess Tale and The Pardoners’s
Tale? How relevant these lessons are in these present times? Explain your answer by
relating examples.
 In the Nun's Priestess Tale, Chanticleer is a formidable figure because he is portrayed as
a kind singer and the master of all roosters. However, this reputation got the better of
him, which ultimately brought about his demise (as is often the case with narcissists who
are attention-seekers and refuse to acknowledge the value of developing rapport with
their own thoughts and those around them). The fox almost killed Chanticleer because
of this careless perception of himself. Chanticleer was easily influenced by the fox's
sweet and gentle demeanor (whom he swore would do no harm and would only indulge
himself in the sweet melody of joy) and earful hymns, making him vulnerable to any
attacks but unwilling to acknowledge them. As a result, Chanticleer came to the
realization that he would never again be readily convinced by charm after being
captured and set free.
 It is essential to learn not to trust people right away, as we can easily be swayed by their
calm and composed behavior, and it is often difficult to distinguish between a friend and
an enemy who is waiting for a chance to strike. Being cautious is a natural defense
mechanism that allows us to assess whether a situation is safe or not, and this is why
we have it. This issue has become prevalent in today's world due to the constant
pretense of such individuals, who appear to reconcile and put on a brave face, only to
betray us when we least expect it.

 The pardoner, who introduces to listeners the dangers of greed being struck at their
most vulnerable state—their complete obliviousness to their urge-struck greed, sinful
ideologies, and bewildering sophistry—is a storyteller who has problems of his own that
he notices do have irony in his role as a taleteller. The pardoner, however, wants self-
consciousness to persist in transformation, even if he is a sinner himself due to how he
amasses wealth from his deeds and acts, but the passage of what he is telling is different
from his own. Despite this, he predicts it in a way that emphasizes the importance of
leading a peaceful life rather than one that is controlled by the things he despises the
most, allowing his listeners to perhaps take mental note of it and guide them in the
proper path.

 In this story, the author portrays how greed can take over a person's life, which is
unfortunately common in modern society. This leads to a downward spiral of destructive
actions that are undertaken in the hopes of personal gain, but ultimately end up doing
more harm than good. This is particularly true nowadays, where the consequences of
such actions can be far-reaching and affect not only the person involved but also those
around them. As a result, the story highlights the regret and pain that often accompany
 such acts of greed and the devastating impact they can have on people's lives. To do
this, one must level himself such that their needs and goals are held responsible for
every action they perform, since this will determine whether or not the power of
heartbreak and regretful feelings can be negated.

For the Poems from the Renaissance, Restoration and Enlightenment Period
Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare
1. What kind of bond exists between the speaker and his loved one?
 It is easy to presume that the speaker's love for their beloved is greater than the sun's,
even if the relationship between the speaker and his loved one was not particularly
strongly described in the poem. The speaker's love for their significant other is shown
tenfold in the characteristics that make them special and in the biblical passages that
best capture how they are viewed in the speaker's mind. Someone deserving of standing
with the sun: not by direct exposure, without the effects of the sun's physical rays; it
dilutes it into a comforting comparison that enables them to pass smoothly by. Making
their positive traits shine even more brightly than before, disregarding the
consequences, and just thinking on the good things their sweetheart had said.

2. To what eternal summer refer? What will ensure that the loved one’s eternal summer
shall not fade?
 The phrase "Eternal summer" was intentionally and euphemistically used to describe the
loved one of the speaker. It refers to a season that vividly depicts beauty that endures,
not too extreme nor too mundane; rather, it is the balance of their beauty that evokes
abundance in a struck-feeling agenda of love and longing. Additionally, as the season
progresses, there will be more moments where "summer" just meets too much of its
overbearing character, but this is accompanied with an atmosphere of love that
transcends the chances. This means that, for as long as the speaker's poetry
reverberates, it will be like the ever-changing seasons of the year, yet their love will
endure; the summer is only a point of comparison, but it beyond what one could
anticipate. Making the poetry into a love poem that not only speaks to the speaker's
beloved but also to the very personification of what they deeply feel, the renewal of
their sweetheart, and the passion of romance itself.
3. What is the speaker’s purpose in writing eternal lines? What conditions are necessary to
realize this purpose?
 With its structure and feedback supported by figurative language, the precept of eternal,
as stated earlier, requires the speaker to use phrases and sentences that appeal to the
senses. This overturns the uninteresting passages of fleeting love and replaces them
with an everlasting one. The speaker of the poem recognizes sooner than later that time
and seasons change over time, which is inevitable in the real world. As a result, the
 speaker actively reforms that of their love for a poem for their beloved, with a message
that endures even with the changes that may be of affect; that of emotion that calms
the soul and the mind, the speaker's love speaks in centuries as dedicated for one.’
4.The poet used eternal to describe summer and lines. What do you think is achieved by
this?
 They realized that their passion and desire for them simply wouldn't be enough to
define their love, so they let their affection be on the track of a poem, to inch and piece
together everything they want to say to their lover. The poet used the season of
summer as an analogy to their lover inside the poem. With this, the summer season
served as an alternative to cliche and specialty lines, yet it is still an indirect method of
tying things together. However, it was characterized and defined in a way that cannot
be adequately expressed by other terms, and that is the variety of contrasting the
negatives and elevating it above the level of its literal meaning; conveys fervently that
the speaker's love will never go out on fire. Instead, it serves as a torch that directs it
toward the beauty of the speaker's lover's immortality, disregarding the seasons and
flows of time. The poet skillfully crafted an analogy, metaphor, and personification to
relate love and beauty using this as his starting point.

5. What do these last two lines mean?

So long as man can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
 The speaker wants to emphasize the eternally romantic story of their love being a torch
that guides and illuminates the surroundings during the times of inevitable and with
death in the last two passages of his poem, which, as previously mentioned, and held
with high spirits, strike in accordance with what the speaker wants to embellish within
his love poem of their beloved. There, it is openly assumed that the speaker in the poem
will maintain their love unaltered and sincere for years to come, for as long as the poem
endures despite the unknown, if people are still alive, and if people are ever spreading
the history of emotions in abundance. Love is where it lives, it loves, and it breathes.
When the odds are all too great to endure, for which precisely defines what a "eternal"
love may associate for and from; for which immortal love and beauty will be ingrained
for all senses to seek.

6. How do the ideas expressed about love and beauty in the sonnet compare with the
ideas about love and beauty that people hold today?
 The sonnet intertwines beauty, which is a sub-content of all things love-filled, and love,
the highest virtue accompanied by serenity. The poet emphasizes these themes towards
a certain person or thing by illustrating with everything they possess that this person or
thing is deserving of praise and contentment. The sonnet perfectly captures the profound
and rewarding motivation of romance, which is what love and beauty truly connect with.
Even today, these ideas are still relevant because characterizing or simply describing
someone or something that people hold dear requires both love and beauty. The
manifestation of love thus satisfies the requirement that it must be preserved for all time,
regardless of its importance to others; it is merely a form of endearment to oneself. What
 narratives you spread will be felt by those who share the same sentiments, and it instills
both ideas vibrantly with great consideration for humanity.

Song, to Celia by Ben Johnson

7. How does the speaker describe Celia in the poem?
 He yearns for and tries to catch the eye of a woman. He describes Celia's adoration
"sweeter and more enchanting."
However, in another sense, the speaker in the story portrays Celia in a way that
does not relish using straightforward language; instead, he speaks to her metaphorically and
with intention, which catches the essence of all of her all-pervading brightness, with which the
speaker is entirely enamored. He sees Celia as a presence that cannot be adequately cared for
by any other description.

8. What does the speaker feel towards Celia?

 He experiences complete satisfaction from his gigantic awe and need, which transcends
normal bounds. She appeals to him so much that he wants to be given a look, which
would be the same as toasting him with her eyes.
Additionally, the story's speaker holds Celia inextricably in his definition of love
that is true; he experiences joy and serenity while Celia is there, and everything about her
speaks volumes about how much he values her deeply, profoundly, and generally speaking. He
engages in sweet and delicate displays of correspondence to express his feelings for her, either
through verbal and non-verbal cues or by sending Celia a gift. All things considered, this is
flash's liberation on the solidarity of his sentiments and deeply felt feelings to just one person
whom he deeply and solely cherishes.

9. For what does the speaker’s soul thirst? What will best satisfy his thirst?
 The speaker yearns for Celia's affection and attention, which he characterized as non-
toxic and sweeter than the nectar from which heavenly it meant that the kiss is from
Celia's cup.
Besides, the speaker's spirit desires for his love for Celia, making it difficult to
think about how to make things right by linking the portion of a divine beverage that would
only serve to specifically satisfy his need for love. He will not feel fairly represented if the higher
divine creatures are mentioned, shown, or used as metaphorically enticing premises or liquids.
It is evident that his desire for love and affection will be fulfilled by his growing
love for Celia. Although it may seem too sweet, there is a reasonable explanation for his
response. His need for affection should not be viewed too critically, but rather with a sense of
extravagance and adoration.

10. If you were Celia in the poem, what would you feel towards the speaker? Explain why?
 It would be horrifying and unusual, in my opinion. I wouldn't care for a man who
demanded that I look at him as though I wanted him and asked for a cup of coffee and a
kiss to quench his need. It's not normal. However, if similar events had taken place
during the height of sentimentalism, it would have been incredibly sincere and touching
to compare one's passion and love for something to quench one's hunger.
 If I were in Celia's position, I would find it admirable that someone could identify their
areas of strength in just one person. Even though it might surprise you, if by some miracle I
were to observe consistency in the speaker's mental processes and straightforward action
rather than contemplation, I would be inclined to feel astounded, considering the many ways a
person could accept the metaphorically engaging yet lonely love to be that explained and
thought about for.
By this, every sane person would concur that if I were to appreciate such a passionate
repetition, I would only do so after presuming I have witnessed consistency of the speaker's
methods into mine. Only then would I take refuge in an individual's illusion of serenity-filled
feeling.

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray

11. What do you think prompts the speaker to start thinking about his own death? For the
first twenty or so stanzas, he's cheerfully thinking about the dead villagers. What shifts,
and why?
 The speaker quickly imagined himself in the deceased's position and took note of the
temperature and setting of his surroundings before eloquently expressing his sympathy
for what a dreadful destiny these folks had been dealt. The speaker understands that
these people could have had better lives if their way of life hadn't neglected them so
much; neediness was a terrible incitement for the rural populace, and the speaker
wishes they had been given more opportunities and appreciation throughout their lives.
He shows his dissatisfaction in a variety of ways as they assumed that these rural
boys would have advanced, one may have been this and one may have been that. This gave him
the idea to comment on his own death as well as death in general, saying that passing is
inevitable and all-encompassing since, regardless of who we are as individuals, death will
always find its way with us unexpectedly.
As a result, this requiem was composed with a narrative that respects the dead while
simultaneously acknowledging death.

12. Why do you think Gray uses so much personification? Why, for example, does he say "Let
not Ambition mock their useful toil" in line 29, instead of, "Hey, ambitious people, don't
make fun of these guys"? What's the effect on your reading?
 Personification played a large part in the sonnet, and Dim understood this to be a key
lesson throughout the poem because it lends balance and organization to the message
that even though people have passed away, we should still treat them with respect and
avoid making fun of their lives because we have no real connection to theirs. It raises
awareness of how this attribute of offering humanistic qualities ignites the analogy of
not bringing originality and inventiveness but rather maintaining together the belief that
we should remember the departed to provide light even at their resting place for
eternity.
 That is why Dim used representation throughout the sonnet. He expects his sonnet
to board on a record that it arrives at everyone to take up arms, to consider the ideas put
forth, and to lay out a philosophy that we would also perish and that we would think
that others would think about us wisely, remembering that us with the decency in our
days, with goodness in our impending death, and with goodness even in the vast
beyond.

13. Who do you think is the intended audience of this poem? Men, women? Rich people,
poor people? Young or old? Why do you think so?

 The sonnet covers a broad topic and, although it's written for a specific audience, it's
also intended for the general public. The poem promotes equity by recognizing those
who lived simple lives and were not surrounded by wealth and fortune. It encourages
people to avoid mocking those who were less fortunate and to gain a better
understanding of their struggles. Ultimately, the sonnet highlights the importance of
acknowledging all individuals, including the deceased, who continued to strive and make
progress step by step despite the challenges they faced.

The message conveyed here is that we should treat everyone with respect because we
do not know their full histories or the qualities that make them unique individuals. It is
important to think of everyone as someone who is close to us, who has tragically passed
away and given up their life, regardless of who they are. By doing so, we can begin to
understand that the sonnet only needs to conclude by suggesting that we, along with the
deceased, will all eventually die because we are all human and share this common fate.

14. If this is an "Elegy," or a poem of mourning, who or what is it mourning? How do you
know? Give pieces of evidence from the poem.

 The speaker in the poem centers much of his narrative on the rural churchyard in which
he is situated, and by doing so, he is mourning those who passed away in conditions of
unfair and disproportionate social standing, where they were unable to change for the
continuous improvement of their lives. Their former lives served as a barrier from which
they could not escape, taking away their abilities and accomplishments that were
concealed in plain sight. Additionally, in the poem's closing lines, the speaker accepts
death even as a bitter comfort by sharing memories of the recently deceased and their
journey through life, indicating that regardless of who we are as people, we are all
experiencing the flimsy fight of death as it clings erratically to our hands.

Lines from the poem that express sorrow for the departed, death itself, or the unavoidable end
of life include:

20 No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed.

35 Awaits alike th' inevitable hour.
36 The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
 40 The pealing anthem swells the note of praise.
15. Why do you think Gray insisted so much on the fact that it's a country churchyard?
Would the poem be different if it were set in a city? How so?
 In the sonnet, the speaker recognizes that the people buried in the country churchyard
had the potential for a better life, but were held back by the limitations of their daily lives.
Grey uses the churchyard as a focal point to emphasize the difficult conditions these
comrades lived in. However, the speaker sees them as individuals who had the potential
for a better life, despite their circumstances.

Its rural setting enhances the feeling of the past that is missing from the
city/metropolitan state because people there are passing by every day, working during their
free time, repeating the same schedule for years on end with little to no change, and exceeding
their goals until they can no longer sustain them.

16. What do you imagine people will say about you after you're dead? What would you like
them to say? If you could write your own epitaph, as Gray does in this poem, what would
it say?

 If my life were to be preserved in writing or through an epitaph—a memorial that would

honor me after I pass away—I would want people to remember me not for the grand
occasions or the noise I made, but rather for the routine experiences I had everywhere.
No crazy schemes to appease, the credibility of the imperfect but at this point full life is
what needs to be taken care of. My ongoing recollections are all that should be left.

It is worth noting that my actions, whether they were good or bad, sometimes helped
people around me by providing them with structure and direction. This suggests that my
life was a work in progress, a project that I was always trying to improve and make
better. Like any project, it had its ups and downs, but I was always striving towards a
goal, hoping to create something that would be my magnum opus. Perhaps this is a
testament to my solitude:

“It's very difficult to adjust because of the distance, and the man who was sleeping for all
of eternity neglected to account for his own needs since he was too busy minimising his
own in order to maximize all he could for others. Without asking, he took actions that
benefited himself. With self-assurance, he spoke. Simply put, he displays his devotion
for those he loves.

The fact that he occasionally suffered from his flaws, nonetheless, did not cause him to
capsize. He continued to sail toward finding a way out of the gloomy depths of his
thoughts as he steadily thought about how life ought to be lived while fully rotating the
wheel. In the most ominous of conditions, he saw brightness there.

Unrestricted to discover the immense reaches of heaven and earth. Will we consider his
unending guidance to move on, despite the weight of mistakes and their repercussions,
for he shall be a guide. The manual for leading a purposeful life in which one aspires to
be a neutral person free from burdens of remorse and enemies.”
17. What is the significance of the epitaph in the poem?

 The speaker in the poem imagined his own epitaph and what he would like someone to
narrate to him after he passed away. He placed himself in the position of the deceased
and wished to convey that he not only suffered from the sadness, difficulties, and
unpleasantness of life, but he also turned it into something positive by desiring to live in
a world where there were no problems and everything was fine at the end of the day.