Relationship between a lord and his retainer(s)

1. Assess the validity of the following statement: Beowulf demonstrates that the relationship between a lord and his retainer(s) was perhaps the most important bond in Anglo-Saxon society.
2. Although Sir Gawain and the Green Knight falls into the Romance genre, it's often interpreted as an allegory about how a Christian should conduct himself (or herself) in preparation for God's judgment. Does the poem support such a reading? Is Gawain a good Christian?
3. While both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight demonstrate how the feudal "contract" between lords and their vassals is supposed to work, Macbeth shows how that contract can break down. First define the contract, and then explain how Macbeth is a play "about" its destruction.
4. A Tragedy (literary genre) is often described as a play about the fall of a great man, usually due to his own shortcomings.
   Make a case for Macbeth's greatness, then show how his character flaw(s) lead to the play's tragic events. Is Macbeth different at the end of the play than at the beginning?
5. In both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, women are divided into two kinds: (1) Queenly symbols of a well-run kingdom; and (2) serious threats to men and their moral obligations.
   Compare Lady Macbeth to one of the females you read about in an earlier work. Who is she most like?

The second part of the exam is a long "take home" essay. By "take home," I mean that you can write the essay at your own convenience, with no time constraints as long as you submit it to the Midterm Exam
You will be able to choose one topic from a handful of questions. Upon making your choice, write just one essay of approximately 500 words (1.5-2 pages using double spacing and 12 pt. Times New Roman font).
The essay should be an excellent example of academic writing, and thus should feature an introduction, at least two thoughtfully-organized body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
I will be looking for the following:
1) A good, well-developed introduction
2) A thesis (you may underline it) at the end of your introduction
3) Strong topic sentences at the beginning of each body paragraph
4) A significant amount of development in the body paragraphs--you must use quotes from the literature and cite them properly!
5) A proper conclusion