Selling Out

We have read this week of several characters who have sold their souls for personal gain. There seems to be material differences between the way Marlowe presents the idea and the way Jonson does. What differences do you see in the characters in Faust and the characters in Volpone? How does Faustus's deal, for example, differ from Volpone's?

Is Utopia really a utopia?

More says that during Raphael's narrative he thought of "various objections," although he doesn't voice them. He goes on to say that he found some of the laws and customs "perfectly ridiculous." Which, if any, did you find "perfectly ridiculous?" Why? Likewise, if you didn't find them ridiculous, explain that as well.

Youth and Age and Chaucer

The topics of the tales in The Canterbury Tales we have read in this class are various--marriage, chivalry, the church, to name a few. Let's think, however, for this week about Chaucer's depiction of youth and age. Using several tales to support your response, explain whether or not you think Chaucer presents a reverent view of age (or the elderly). What about youth? What could you say is the dominant attitude toward youth and age in these select tales?

Prologue to Tale: The Wife of Bath

This is actually two questions. How do you understand the purpose(s) of the prologues we have read so far? With that in mind, answer this: What relationship do you see between the Wife of Bath's Prologue and her Tale?