Final answer:
The student is looking for modern day poems that resemble the narrative style and thematic elements found in 'The Canterbury Tales' or 'The Lady of Shalott'. While the language has evolved from Middle English to contemporary dialects, themes like storytelling, romance, and historical legend persist in modern poetry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question refers to finding modern day poem examples that could be likened to The Canterbury Tales or the style of narrative poems like The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson. In the given examples, thematic elements such as romantic and gothic themes, storytelling in ballad form, and references to legends like that of King Arthur and Sir Lancelot are prominent.
Modern interpretations or poetic works that engage similar narrative structures, romanticism, or historical contexts could serve as examples.
For instance, John Donne's lament on the loss of old certainties in Anatomy of the World illustrates poets reacting to changing times, a theme not alien to contemporary poets. Moreover, modern day poems might not use Middle English—seen in Geoffrey Chaucer's works—but the essence of recounting events and exploring human psychology may align with the narrative style of the ballads and tales of earlier periods.
The concept of a red-cross knight signifies a blend of Christian symbolism and chivalric imagery, which can still be found in poetry that explores themes of heroism and moral integrity. Overall, while the language and context may have evolved, the core components such as storytelling, romantic setting, and historical references continue to inspire poets today.