Chaucer’s Use of “Tender” in Troilus and Criseyde

Chaucer’s Use of â€Å"Tender† in Troilus and Criseyde Chaucer is known for his talent at pushing his readers to step outside their preconceived notions regarding genre, characters, and themes. In addition to this, Chaucer uses words with double meanings to create ambiguity and depth throughout his works. Troilus and Criseyde is no different in this respect. Throughout Troilus and Criseyde, Chaucer uses the word tendre several times, using its various meanings to make the reader question the intentions of the characters. According to the Middle English Dictionary, the adjective form of tendre has seven different meanings in medieval texts. Chaucer employs all but two of those meanings in Troilus and Criseyde. The meanings that Chaucer employs are as follows: Immature, young; unsophisticated, innocent, naÃÆ' ¯ve; also unblemished, spotless; Physically sensitive, esp. to pain; susceptible to injury, vulnerable;easily injured, fragile; Of a plant, part of a plant: fresh, new-grown; not hardy, delicate; Physically weak; debilitated, enfeebled, morally week, unable to resist temptation; also impressionable; Sorrowful, heartfelt; piteous, painful, touching; (b) easily moved; of the heart: compassionate, sympathetic (207-209). Chaucer uses the adjective form of tendre five times in Troilus and Criseyde, and employs its various meanings throughout the text. Pandarus is the first to use the word in Book II: his stream of thought during a discussion with Criseyde includes the word. He thinks, If I my tale endite/Aught harde, or make a proces any whyle,/ She shal no savour have therin but lite,/ And trowe I wolde hire in my wil bigyle;/For tender wittes wenen al be wyle/ Theras thei kan nought pleynly understonde; Forthi hire wit to serven wol I fonde (267-273). Here, it seems that Chaucer wants the reader to see the word tendre as meaning naÃÆ' ¯ve, since Pandaruss quote seems to indicate that she is too simple-minded to understand some things. However, this quote is one instance in the text where Chaucer relies on the multiple meanings of the word to create depth. It is important to remember that tender can also mean impressionable, as seen in the fourth definition (above). Because it is Pandarus, who co ntinually pressures Criseyde into action towards Troilus, who uses the word, it seems likely that Chaucer intends the term to be taken both ways. Additional ambiguity surrounding this particular use of the word is that tender in the sense of naivete also indicates youth and innocence (as seen in the first definition listed above). Chaucer wants the reader to consider Criseyde in relation to both of these terms. She is a widow, but is she is also young. She is the woman who cheats on Troilus and breaks his heart, but she is also innocent. Chaucer uses an ambiguous term to make the reader examine Criseydes character more closely. Pandarus also uses the word in Book III, during a discussion with Criseyde. Criseyde wants him to give Troilus a ring on her behalf, to which Pandarus replies, This [man] is so gentil and so tendre of herte/ That with his doeth he wol his sorwes wreke (904-905). The reader can interpret this word according to both the second and fifth meanings listed above. Describing Troilus as tenderhearted suggests that he is vulnerable, sorrowful, or painful (207-209). However, because it is Pandarus (who also pressures Troilus into action throughout the text) who speaks the phrase, Chaucer intends the reader to see the double meaning of the word and think of Troilus as impressionable, as well. The next two uses of the word tender are fairly straightforward, and do not rely on multiple meanings. Criseyde uses the term when she cries to herself upon realizing that she will be exchanged for Antenor. She asks, How shal youre tendre herte this sustene? (795). Here, the word is interpreted as meaning vulnerable. The fourth use of the word occurs in the opening of Book V: the narrator uses it in relation to a plant, saying, and Zepherus as ofte/ Ibrought ayeyn the tendre leves grene (10-11). The fifth and final use of the word occurs in Book V, during the narrators description of Crisyede: Tendre-hearted, slydynge of corage;/ But trewely, I kan nat telle hire age (825-826). Here, Chaucer again plays off the various meanings of tendre, using it to signify both naÃÆ' ¯vete and compassion. However, because he follows the phrase with a reference to her age, he wants the reader to note that the term can also indicate youth. Chaucer uses the multiple meanings of the word tendre throughout Troilus and Criseyde to add depth to the characters. Though sometimes he intends the word to be interpreted in a straightforward fashion, in at least three instances he urges the reader to take into account the varying meanings of the word. The medieval definitions of the terms as naÃÆ' ¯ve, young, sensitive, fresh in relation to plants, and sorrowful offer insight into Chaucers style and intentions.

Jihadi John and London's Culture of Gang Violence Assignment

Jihadi John and London's Culture of Gang Violence - Assignment Example Mohammed Emwazi alias Jihadi John is an example of a self-proclaimed British young Muslim who has joined the ISIS where he is now an IS executioner. Mohammed Emwazi grew up in a highly populated and poverty-stricken city with high levels of shootings, drug wars, and gang violence. Mohammed Emwazi grew up in a middle-class background and poverty does not appear to have motivated him to join radical groups. Mohammed Emwazi joined â€Å"London Boys† that was a criminal gang in north-west London that engaged in violent robberies to support the extremists, Al-Shabaab. Recently, extremists have been associating with organized criminal gangs like the London Boys. Emwazi grew up in North London and turned to drugs, gangs, and violence to escape from alienation that young Muslims experienced in London. Indeed, Muslim prison population has been increasing where 27 % of all prisoners in London are Muslims. Emwazi listened to radical preachers and attended their rallies that helped him to understand his Islamic identity. Radical Islam lures young Muslims since it creates a sense of brotherhood. Joining the criminal gangs and later the radical Islamist group, ISIS helped Emwazi and like-minded people to overcome tribal differences and escape uncertainty. Apparently, the article, Jihadi John and London's culture of gang violence establish what is pushing and drawing young Muslims in London into joining ISIS. The fractured environments that young Muslims live in push young Muslims in London into joining ISIS. The gang experiences that young Muslims gain in living in areas with high levels of shootings, drug wars, and gang violence derives the courage to join and support the activities of ISIS. These criminal gangs support the activities of radical Islamist groups.  

N a response no longer than one page single-spaced, describe any Essay

N a response no longer than one page single-spaced, describe any obstacle(s) that you had to overcome to reach your senior year - Essay Example Since we were used to a very lavish lifestyle full of luxury, we faced difficulties because we had to cut our spending on everything from the electricity bills to eating out and shopping designer clothes. This was a huge change for all of us especially for me and this made me very much frustrated. When I entered high school, we did not have enough money to pay for my school but I was adamant that I wanted to continue my studies in the same school. Luckily, I came across an ad in the newspaper which was looking for a writer. I immediately applied for the job and got a call after a few days after which I was employed and I started working from home using my laptop. In this way, I was also able to earn money for my school fees and I also didn’t have to quit my studies.1 Work Cited Montez, Michele., & Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd Edn. Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.