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structure of the Germanic people portrayed; even though there are different
tribes, like the Danes and the Geats, their social code is the same, so we
can generalize this notion. These characters are then an embodiment of the
values of these nations’ values, and their objectives will always be based on
seem to evolve much, as one could expect from these kinds of parts which
they perform, and how well they perform it. Their words and actions are
relevant to the extent that they go in one or another direction, that is, the
with God’s grace; Grendel finds himself outside of society because of the
fact that he, as all monsters, is a descendant of Cain, banned from God’s
creation and because of that will never be able to join society and is irritated
with their mirth. He is then utterly wicked and evil in his very spirit, with no
purpose of existing but to satisfy himself with the intentional and
dwelling.
deeds to attract dutiful retainers, and grow his band of warriors. He must
care for his people and be always wise in decision before great woes. A bad
king, such as Heremod is one who even though graced by the almighty God
kills his retainers instead of nourishing their respect for him. This way, a
king is bound to failure. Hrothgar warns Beowulf of the dangers of being like
A good retainer, such as Beowulf and Wiglaf, must always be dutiful to his
king, defend and even advise him in the time of need. He must always fulfill
become famous and be remembered. He must defend his kin to death, and
avenge them rather than mourn when they are slain by enemies. The
opposite case includes Unferth, Hrothgar’s retainer who taunts Beowulf and
boasts without accomplishing any deeds; also, he has dishonored his king
by slaying a close kinsman, his brother. Bad retainers are also the cowards
who do not stand up side by side with Beowulf in the end, the ‘battle-
dodgers’; Wiglaf tries to inspire them with a speech, saying that ‘death is
better for any earl than a life of blame’, but they do not respond, and after
the fight and Beowulf’s death their treasures and land rights are withdrawn,
for they no longer deserve the benefits since they do not put it to use in the
hospitality and warmth of the mead hall, also conceding gifts to the greatest
I consider this to be the only line of distinction that can be drawn between
characters; that is, those who do perform well the social parts with which
they are charged, and promote the preservation of their society; and those
who are harmful to their social system to the extent that they do not
distinguish the pairs Hrothgar and Hygelac, as well as Unferth and the
During Chaucer’s time, the fourteenth century, several social changes were
groups and the ascension of a middle class. In this period, factors other than
the society of the time, and their interaction within the narrative symbolizes
the various relationships. The fact that each consists of a social layer is clear
when he does not give names to the storytellers, preferring to let the Host
distinct social type, such as Knight, Miller, Pardoner, Friar, Wife of Bath.
This does not mean, however, that the characters are dull and generic;
His language can be pungent when criticizing a group, showing that the
suffers from the maladies of the late fourteenth century; war, disease, and
the hypocrisy of the Church. The country parson in lines 503-508 of the
General Prologue:
For if the priest be foul, in whom we trust,
reader with an entertaining critical portrait of the society of the time. The
presented throughout the work, such as the dispute between the Friar and
the summoner, by the end of the Wife of Bath’s prologue. Also, the tales
the disputes between them. For example, the Wife of Bath’s tale has as
prominent purpose the illustration of her point of view that wives wish the
control of their husbands, and the Miller’s tale, in which two young men
compete for the sexual love of a young and lascivious lady in slapstick
tones, seems like a parody of the Knight’s tale, in which two knights
In the sixteenth century in England we have a great turn from the religious
views of the world to secular views, fueled by the rediscovery and praise of
classical sources of values, ethics and styles; the Renaissance, which began
in Italy two centuries earlier. The main characteristic of the way of thinking
values which take as central the human being rather than the divine,
valuing human achievements and potentials rather than theological
a sprawl of new ideas, and their diffusion was benefited by the expansion of
There was also the Reformation; the Protestants challenged the view that
only through the Church the individual can find salvation. They separated
interpreting the Bible for himself. Even though in England this movement
was not in accordance with the Puritans, individualism gains a new meaning
also in religion.
The center of attentions now is clearly the individual human being, and this
is reflected in the literature of the period; the characters are now deeply
Their actions are motivated by reasons centered in their own beings. Their
soliloquies and in speaking aside with the audience, and an infinity of other
The richness of details on the personality of the characters may vary with
the genre; it is arguable that Tragedy provides the greatest spectrum for
which develop less throughout the plot; they might even not develop at all,
similar to tragedy, and writers like Shakespeare will without hesitation make
aesthetics.
opening of possibilities: