Middle English Literature

Dates

1066- the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror, feudalism, the Domesday. 1516- the publication of Thomas Mores Utopia, Early middle ages 1100-1300 late middle ages 1300- 1500

Romances

Narrative Works of Chivalry, Middle English Romances are military fables, quests and adventures, NOT LOVE, protagonists going to unknown lands testing their prowess and honour

Three subjects of Romance work

- Legend about King Arthur (Britain). - Charlemagne and his knights (France). - Alexander the Great and other classical figures (Rome)

The Stories of King Arthur

- William of Malnesbury. - Wace, Laymon. -Chretien De Troyes - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. -Morte D'Arthur

Courtly Love

- Concept of love invented by trubadours from the south of France. - feudal court with feudal hierarchy. - mans submission to lady. -lady is beautiful and cold, usually married to sb else. - courtly love as a game and part of courtly etiquette

Three rules of courtly love

to serve, to suffer, to smile

Works of courtly love:

- Marie De France, Tales about love knights and ladies. -Thomas of Britain, Tristan and Iseult. - Arthurian Romances, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Religious Literature

Middle ages - the age of splendid gothic cathedrals. Huge temples of harmonious beauty. The Cathedra - the Bible in stone. Gothic cathedrals - attenpt to reach God. Cathedral schools as places of learning and education

Religious prose and poetry

Ancrene Riwle (1200). The Owl and The Nightingale (1200). Pearl (1360?)

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400)

-The father of English Poetry. -was well educated, read latin, studied astronomy, theology, philosophy, french and Italian poetry. -the Cantenbury Tales, the pilgrimage to Cantenbury. - popularity of pilgrimage in MA

Romance the wife of Baths Tale

a miniature Arthurian romance, one of King Arthurs Knights in order to save his life must answer a question, what do women desire the most? he promises to marry an ugly woman for her to tell him answer: to rule

The Fabliaux

The Millers Tale, The Reeves Tale, Satirical stories of love

Medieval theathre

Medieval drama born out of liturgy: religious rituals, chants, recitation of prayers, 13th.c.- the developementof cities. Religious stories are performed near or in a churches. Actors are representatives of the guilds

Miracle/Mystery plays

- stories of human life and faith. Anonymous. Didactic entertainement. - subjects are biblical characters. - performed on peggeant. -serious and sometimes comic

Morality plays

-performed to illustrate the battle between two forces of goodness and evil in the human soul, spiritual struggle -the characters are not people but VIRTUES and VICES -Everyman 15th.c. maximum simplicity. -only good deeds stay with Everyman

the Interlude (15-16th.c.)

played in between acts of long morality plays or between banquet. -shorter than morality plays. -performed in colleges or rich people houses

Medieval Chivalric Romance

Topics: adventure, marvels, feats of arms, courtly love. -The knightly hero must prove his courage, prowess and moral virtue by: overcoming enemies in joust and battles (physical strength) and displaying qualitues such as: loyalty to his lord,

Mythical Quality

-Mythical origins of Britain, -Britain founded by Brutus, a legendary hero who sailed to the British shores after the fall of Troy he slew the giants and gave name to the British isles - Britain as the place of wonders, mysteries, extraordinary things