Category: Uncategorized
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Lewis and Clark Essay
Andrew Stutts The Lewis and Clark Expedition, was the first American expedition to cross what is now the western portion of the United States, departing in May, 1804 from near St. Louis on the Mississippi River, making their way westward through the continental divide to the Pacific coast. This enterprise, also known as the Corps…
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Virtue Defined in the Works of Montaigne, Rabelais, Cervantes and Machiavelli
Andrew Stutts Michael de Montaigne views on virtue were introspective and of primary importance. He also understood virtue as a trait that was the responsibility of every person to cultivate. Montaigne’s beliefs concerning virtue can be summarized in the following passage from his essays; “To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books,…
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Synopsis of Descartes’s-A Discourse of a Method for the Well Guiding of Reason
Andrew Stutts In A Discourse of a Method for the Well Guiding of Reason, Descartes professed his discovery of an effective way of directing his reason that aided him in numerous noteworthy breakthroughs in his scientific research. He commenced to describe his method by beginning an autobiography of sorts, in which he humbly described his…
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How Cervantes & Rabelais Undermine Tradition & Convention in their Respective Works
Andrew Stutts Miguel de Cervantes used “Don Quixote” as a means to critique long-standing and venerated literary forms, specifically the Chivalric Romance genre. Outwardly it appeared that this was only a story of an impassioned mad man that aspired to live the chivalrous life of a knight. However, Cervantes skillfully used his crafty writing style…
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Rabelais’s Gargantua and Pantagruel -Book Review
Andrew Stutts Francois Rabelais is the most celebrated French author of the sixteenth century. In fact, the term Rabelaisian, derived from his name, refers to an unpretentious spirit and an impious approach to literary expression. Furthermore, this term is employed to describe a certain demeanor and approach to life. Rabelaisian is synonymous with lewdness, crudeness,…
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Explication of John Donne’s “The Flea”
Andrew Stutts Mark but this flea, and mark in this, How little that which thou deniest me is ; It suck’d me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea our two bloods mingled be. Thou know’st that this cannot be said A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead ; Yet this enjoys…
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Letter to Monsieur Montaigne-Chapter LVI Of Prayers
MONSIEUR, I am writing you to share some of my thoughts on one of your various essays. It was difficult to focus on just one of your essays as you have many fine compositions to read, and all are worthy of solemn reflection. However, for this correspondence I selected the essay that resonated the most…
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Performance History-Shakespeare
Andrew Stutts The 2010 screen adaptation of “The Tempest”, written and directed by Julie Taymor, offers an interesting version of Shakespeare’s famous play. Although the time period was not distinct in the setting of this movie (the costumes in the movie look Shakespearian but have many modern accoutrements) there are social elements in Taymor’s version…
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Impact of The Odyssey of Homer on Literature
Andrew Stutts The Odyssey of Homer is the first great piece of narrative literature of the Western World. Furthermore, it has been deemed to be one of the oldest complete sets of books in the western world. This epic novel has captured peoples’ imaginations for centuries. The Odyssey of Homer has had an immense impact…
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Notes of a Philosopher the Influence of Tao Te Ching
Andrew Stutts When exploring ancient Chinese influential literature, the Tao Te Ching captivates the hearts of many. It is an enduring Chinese manuscript written over a thousand years ago, purportedly by a legendary Chinese sage known as Lao-Tzu. This spiritual and philosophical masterpiece has influenced China and much of East Asia for centuries. The Tao…