to place other members of their sex into one of two categories: harlot or saint. Thus begins the dichotomy assigned to women throughout history, illustrated by authors in their literary works. Although humanity may have “advanced,” its literary portrayal of women remains to be at a standstill, perpetuating the dichotomy of the corrupted Eve and the veritable Mary. The anonymous author of Beowulf certainly demonstrates the tendency to cast women into a role of Eve or Mary. Within the tale, the
Like most classical works Beowulf is ripe with dichotomies. These literary devices help clarify the attributes of various characters throughout the novel. Even though a plethora of dichotomies exist in the novel, none are more evident than the idea and cowardice vs. bravery. This idea is ingrained into much of the work but is most apparent in Beowulf’s many battles. Beowulf is a Geatish warrior whose culture values strength and valor. Beowulf epitomizes these traits but the same cannot be said for
the text and center on community vs. isolation, light vs. dark, and most prominently, good vs. evil. From the beginning, Beowulf arrives with the intent to seek out and destroy the evil that lurks in the land near Heorot. This introduces one of the most important dichotomies of the epic poem by clearly depicting what lies on either side of good or evil. Initially, Beowulf and his army journey to Hrothgar’s kingdom with the intent of extinguishing the evil monster that poisons the land. This
works, such as “Beowulf”, “Paradise Lost”, and “The Canterbury Tales.” These influential English works use the struggle between light and darkness to portray the issues of heroism and religion. The battle unfolds on each page of the works as if painted on canvas by war. In a dark, desolate world, onto what savior can mankind cling? Society can never be consumed by a malice world, for there is always the super- eminent to counteract. Canterbury Tales exhibits the religious dichotomy between morality