Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Giving The Devil His Due: The Emergence Of The Fallen Hero In English Literature, John K. Feldkamp

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

In 1637, John Milton wrote Paradise Lost, which presented the story of Satan’s fall from heaven. From this text, a humanized Satan was born who, despite his evil vices, consisted of heroic traits which future authors loved. Milton’s Satan became the model for future Romantic Authors including Lord George Byron. By examining specific influences in the late 1700’s, one can understand how the Prince of Darkness evolved into a tragic hero.

Behold Thy Doom Is Mine: The Evolution Of Guinevere In The Eorks Of Chrétien De Troyes, Sir Thomas Malory, And Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Stephanie R. Comer

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Guinevere has existed in literature for nearly a millennium, evolving to suit societal values and mores. She has metamorphosed from Arthur’s noble queen to Lancelot’s jealous lover, from a motherly sovereign to a vindictive adulteress as each author struggled to apply his own literary and societal conventions to a character that is both inherited and created.

In addressing the evolution of Guinevere, this thesis has followed her progression through three works: The Knight of the Cart by Chrétien de Troyes, Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, and The Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. In addition, this …