Literature of the Western World

Each group will select one of the questions offered on Monday, June 9, to answer (below). They will have the class periods of June 9 and June 12 to answer collectively.  During that time they may use any notes prepared the previous two weeks to demonstrate the most thorough understanding of the New Testament concept as it is portrayed in their new texts.  The notes themselves are the final grade of the sixth marking period.

Human Consequence of

the Idea of Order or Dualism

Question:  Galahad and Launcelot might be said to each represent purity, though one is of spiritual perfection and one perhaps loves on the earth in perfection.  Christ, too, speaks of love, especially in John 15.  Galahad, however, foregoes the pleasures of the world completely, whereas Launcelot, while initially rejected by the Sangreal, is ultimately taken to heaven.  What does John's Christ wish for us, and how are these lessons taught or revised by Malory through Launcelot and Galahad? Has Malory fallen into the trap of the desert temptations or no?

Question: In each case, Dante's sufferers abdicated faith and are therefore punished.  In the Gospel of John, the idea of sin is difficult to find (perhaps early in Chapter 16 it is most directly discussed); however, faith is clearly belief in Christ and God.  Is it the same for Dante?  In other words, is Dante's idea of God's Justice based merely on faith or is it more complicated than this? Does the physical/fleshly act in any way impact the punishment, regardless of faith? In your answer, be sure to trace the successive degrees of sin to discover a pattern. 

The Role of Logos

Question: Somehow, Malory equates reason with honor, whether it be chivalric honor or honor to God.  It is reasonable to follow the will of God or the ethics of chivalry (else punishment follows, dealt by the mysterious force in Arthur which inscribes itself on Roundtable chairs, issues and collects swords, and unhorses knights in the guise of a black knight).  In this sense, does Malory follow the Greek or Hebrew idea of logos most closely?  Is passion truly an opposite of logos for Malory? 

Question: Are the sinners of Dante sinners of reason or passion?  Or are they sinners in terms of an idea different from these terms?  (Think in particular of the outer circles and of the heresiarchs.) Is the Greek idea of the Word the same as reason as Dante seems to understand it?  With this in mind, would John’s Christ agree with God’s Justice of the sinners in Dante?  (Warning: Be careful not to equate the idea of passion here with the idea of the passion narratives of the crucifixion.)

The Way of Atonement

Question: Arthur returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake (thus returning his earthly reign to the gods) and is taken to Avalon for his final rest.  However, is Arthur’s final trip one of heavenly atonement and destiny or is it a darker journey?  What evidence in the Malory text suggests that Arthur is redeemed from sin as John’s Christ asks?  On the other hand, what evidence suggests that Arthur is a vehicle for the will of God (not the Son of God) as Christ was?  Which interpretation appears most plausible to you?

Question: Trace the role of free will in Dante as the degrees of sin deepen. Are there exceptions or unexplained patterns to your outline?  Does the pattern or do the exceptions most closely align with Christ’s idea of forgiveness and redemption?   Or are the differences too great to be compared? (Consider, in particular, Dante’s claims on the Final Judgment and whether atonement may occur while living as a mortal.)