ENGL 310H: Women and Medieval Literature
Midterm Essays due October 19 in class

Choose two of the following and write an extended essay in response to each.

You may use your texts and class notes; I do not think outside sources are necessary, but if you use them, they must be documented appropriately in MLA fashion and submitted through turnitin.com as well as in hard copy.

Answers may be handwritten or typed; either way, I would appreciate double-spacing to make them easier to read.

You may neither give nor receive aid in completing this out-of-class examination.

1. Based on the picture she paints in her Lais, would you consider Marie de France to be a defamer or defender of women—or some other category? Support your answer with analysis of specific evidence from the texts.

2. Compare and contrast the use of exemplary stories in the works of Jerome or Jean de Meun vs. the Gesta Romanorum or Seinte Marharete. (You only need talk about one author on each side of the debate.) Support your answer with analysis of specific evidence from the texts.

3. Compare and contrast the discussion of women’s weaknesses in St. Augustine and Ancrene Wisse. Support your answer with analysis of specific evidence from the texts. If you want to bring Dives and Pauper into the answer, feel free to do so.

4. Compare and contrast the attitudes toward virginity in Tertullian and Jerome vs. those in Hali Meiðhad (optional: and the other Katherine-group texts). Support your answer with analysis of specific evidence from the texts.