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I will pay for the following essay 19th century medievalist poetic comparison. The essay is to be 6 pages with three to five sources, with in-text citations and a reference page.Download file to see p

I will pay for the following essay 19th century medievalist poetic comparison. The essay is to be 6 pages with three to five sources, with in-text citations and a reference page.

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In the nineteenth century, a romanticizing of the Middle Ages became a popular part of England's culture known as Medievalism. Medievalism is a term used to describe that which holds characteristics of the Middle Ages. Knights performing acts of chivalry, damsels in distress, magical beings, and internal struggles between loyalty and passion are prominent identifying aspects of medieval literature. Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott and Morris's The Defense of Guinevere are both great examples of nineteenth century medievalism. A better understanding of medievalism is gained by comparing and contrasting these two authors and their poetic works.The examination will begin with the authors themselves. By learning about the authors one can gain insight to the influences that manifest in an author's writings. While both authors shared a common interest in medieval times, they had very different life experiences. Tennyson's style reflects his idealizations of Arthurian times. Morris's interests in both medievalism and religion are reflected in his style as well.Alfred Tennyson lived from 1809 to 1892. Tennyson was born on August 5, 1809 in Somersby, Lincolnshire. He was born the son of George Clayton, a clergyman and rector, and was one of twelve children. With such a large family, Tennyson led a very modest lifestyle as a youth. Tennyson had a lifelong interest in King Arthur, considering him as an idealistic symbol of both manhood and of leadership. Tennyson began writing at the age of eight, and in 1827 published his first book, Poems by Two Brothers, with his brother Charles (Lord Alfred Tennyson, n. pag.).

William Morris lived from 1834 to 1896. Morris was born in Walthamstow, England, which was near London. His father was a financier, and Morris had a lifestyle that was considerably more extravagant than that of Tennyson's youth. Morris had a great variety of careers throughout his life including designer, artisan, poet and social reformer, architect, and painter. Morris was dedicated to fight the mass production brought about by the Victorian Age, because as an artisan, he felt it took away from the art of handcrafting. Morris pursued the study of Holy Orders at Exeter because he was very enthusiastic about religious subjects. Morris had a lifelong interest in medievalism, which manifested in much of his creative works.. In 1858, Morris independently published his first poem The Defense of Guinevere, which reflects his love for medievalism.

The Defense of Guinevere was set in the days of King Arthur's court. Guinevere and Lancelot's affair had been exposed and, because of her marriage to Arthur, Guinevere had the opportunity to defend her actions to the knights, namely Sir Gauwaine. In this poem, Morris gave Guinevere duplicity, both as a victim and as a feminist. Guinevere is characterized as the damsel in distress, a victim forced into a marriage without love. Guinevere uses all of her persuasions as a woman of beauty to stall until her chivalrous knight Launce lot is able to swoop in and rescue her.

As in many medievalist literary works, Guinevere is portrayed as a strong woman. At the same time, she is subjected to objectification because of her gender. The aspect of courtly love, or the love practiced by nobility surrounding the Legend of Camelot, was a common component in medievalist literature. The strong female role of Guinevere is depicted through the entire poem being from her perspective. This poem manifests courtly love by the telling of the story of Lancelot's and Guinevere's love affair, and the lack of love between Guinevere and King Arthur.

The role of the Lady in Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott focused on a different aspect of medievalism. Tennyson uses magical symbolism to express the loneliness felt by the Lady and her struggle to choose to either be obedient and live without desires fulfilled, or to choose to disobey and suffer the curse of death.

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