The Example of Vertu The Example of Virtue By: Stephen Hawes (-1523)
In "The Example of Virtue" by Stephen Hawes, readers are transported to a fantastical world where virtue, morality, and chivalry reign supreme. Set in the late medieval period, the story unveils the journey of a young knight named Graunde Amour as he embarks on a quest to find and capture the heart of Lady Chastite. Hawes beautifully weaves a compelling narrative, infusing it with allegorical elements that serve as a moral compass throughout the book. Each character represents a particular virtue or vice, creating a rich tapestry of personalities. Graunde Amour, a shining example of virtue, faces numerous trials and tribulations on his path, showcasing the difficulties faced by those who strive to maintain their moral compass in a world filled with temptation. The author's language and prose are exquisite, reflecting the literary style of the time. Though the language may be challenging for some modern readers, it adds an authentic charm to the story. Hawes' descriptions are vivid and intricate, bringing to life the enchanting landscapes, treacherous villains, and noble heroes that populate his world. One of the notable strengths of "The Example of Virtue" lies in its exploration of morality and the internal struggles that individuals face when confronted with ethical dilemmas. Through Graunde Amour's journey, Hawes delves into the complexities of human nature, depicting the internal tug-of-war between good and evil. This thought-provoking portrayal offers readers an opportunity for introspection, encouraging them to reflect on their own moral choices. The pacing of the book is well-managed, with a steady progression of events that keeps the reader engaged. From the initial challenges faced by Graunde Amour to the inevitable showdown with the villainous Sir Inconstaunce, each chapter unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and resolution. The narrative tension is palpable, making it difficult to put the book down. However, while "The Example of Virtue" possesses many strengths, it does suffer from certain weaknesses. Some readers may find the heavy allegorical nature of the story overwhelming, as it occasionally interrupts the flow of the plot. Additionally, the characters, though symbolic representations of virtues or vices, lack depth and development, making it challenging to form emotional connections with them. In conclusion, Stephen Hawes delivers a captivating tale of morality and chivalry in "The Example of Virtue." With its enchanting prose, thought-provoking exploration of ethics, and a thrilling story, this book transports readers to a medieval realm that entertains and enlightens. Despite some minor shortcomings, this allegorical work will undoubtedly leave readers pondering the nature of virtue long after they have turned the final page. First Page: [Transcriber’s Note: This e text includes characters that will only display in UTF 8 (Unicode) text readers: ẽõũỹ = vowel with “tilde” or overline ȝ = letter yogh If any of these characters do not display properly in particular, if the diacritic does not appear directly above the letter or if the quotation marks in this paragraph appear as garbage, make sure your text reader’s “character set” or “file encoding” is set to Unicode (UTF 8). You may also need to change the default font. A few words such as “with” or “the” were printed as abbreviations: initial “y” or “w” with small “t” or “e” above it. These are shown in brackets as [the]. Two sets of three pages were out of sequence. The sections involved are indicated in the text with [>>] beginning [<>] page break [<<] end Details are at the end of the e text, along with a list of typographical errors.] ¶ Here begynneth the boke called the example of vertu. [Illustration] Tabula libri ¶ Fyrste a prologue. ¶ How youth mette with discrecyon in a medowe in his dreme & was reformed by her prouerbes ca... Continue reading book >>

The Example of Vertu The Example of Virtue By: Stephen Hawes (-1523)

In "The Example of Virtue" by Stephen Hawes, readers are transported to a fantastical world where virtue, morality, and chivalry reign supreme. Set in the late medieval period, the story unveils the journey of a young knight named Graunde Amour as he embarks on a quest to find and capture the heart of Lady Chastite.

Hawes beautifully weaves a compelling narrative, infusing it with allegorical elements that serve as a moral compass throughout the book. Each character represents a particular virtue or vice, creating a rich tapestry of personalities. Graunde Amour, a shining example of virtue, faces numerous trials and tribulations on his path, showcasing the difficulties faced by those who strive to maintain their moral compass in a world filled with temptation.

The author's language and prose are exquisite, reflecting the literary style of the time. Though the language may be challenging for some modern readers, it adds an authentic charm to the story. Hawes' descriptions are vivid and intricate, bringing to life the enchanting landscapes, treacherous villains, and noble heroes that populate his world.

One of the notable strengths of "The Example of Virtue" lies in its exploration of morality and the internal struggles that individuals face when confronted with ethical dilemmas. Through Graunde Amour's journey, Hawes delves into the complexities of human nature, depicting the internal tug-of-war between good and evil. This thought-provoking portrayal offers readers an opportunity for introspection, encouraging them to reflect on their own moral choices.

The pacing of the book is well-managed, with a steady progression of events that keeps the reader engaged. From the initial challenges faced by Graunde Amour to the inevitable showdown with the villainous Sir Inconstaunce, each chapter unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and resolution. The narrative tension is palpable, making it difficult to put the book down.

However, while "The Example of Virtue" possesses many strengths, it does suffer from certain weaknesses. Some readers may find the heavy allegorical nature of the story overwhelming, as it occasionally interrupts the flow of the plot. Additionally, the characters, though symbolic representations of virtues or vices, lack depth and development, making it challenging to form emotional connections with them.

In conclusion, Stephen Hawes delivers a captivating tale of morality and chivalry in "The Example of Virtue." With its enchanting prose, thought-provoking exploration of ethics, and a thrilling story, this book transports readers to a medieval realm that entertains and enlightens. Despite some minor shortcomings, this allegorical work will undoubtedly leave readers pondering the nature of virtue long after they have turned the final page.

First Page:

[Transcriber’s Note:

This e text includes characters that will only display in UTF 8 (Unicode) text readers:

ẽõũỹ = vowel with “tilde” or overline ȝ = letter yogh

If any of these characters do not display properly in particular, if the diacritic does not appear directly above the letter or if the quotation marks in this paragraph appear as garbage, make sure your text reader’s “character set” or “file encoding” is set to Unicode (UTF 8). You may also need to change the default font.

A few words such as “with” or “the” were printed as abbreviations: initial “y” or “w” with small “t” or “e” above it. These are shown in brackets as [the].

Two sets of three pages were out of sequence. The sections involved are indicated in the text with [>>] beginning [<>] page break [<<] end Details are at the end of the e text, along with a list of typographical errors.]

¶ Here begynneth the boke called the example of vertu.

[Illustration]

Tabula libri

¶ Fyrste a prologue.

¶ How youth mette with discrecyon in a medowe in his dreme & was reformed by her prouerbes ca... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Literature
Poetry

eBook links
Wikipedia – Stephen Hawes
Wikipedia – The Example of Vertu The Example of Virtue

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