English Literature The Medieval Period Old English and

English Literature The Medieval Period (Old English and Middle English)

England before the English • When the Roman legions arrived, they found the land inhabited by “Britons. ” – Today, the Britons are known as the Celts • Stonehenge • no written language • The Britons were absorbed into Roman society – Latin is spoken • Romans withdraw as the Empire crumbles, leaving the Britons behind

England before the English • group of pagan people from Northern Europe begin a series of invasions – Anglo-Saxons (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) – bring Germanic languages – still have their language • Wednesday…day of Woden, father of the gods • Thursday…day of Thor, god of war Woden--father of the gods

• By 600, Anglo-Saxons conquer the Britons – language becomes more Germanic • still retains some Latin • The Anglo-Saxons’ two urgings--war and wandering become part of the oral tradition – Beowulf is an example of an Anglo-Saxon hero tale Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother

• By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to convert the pagans – Latin (the language of the Church) returns • King Alfred – the Britons become organized – first true king of the Britons – period of prosperity King Alfred brings an age of prosperity

• In 1066, the Normans (French speaking people from Normandy), led by William the Conqueror attack and defeat the Britains (a blend of the Britons and Anglo. Saxons) at the Battle of Hastings • the 3 rd language is introduced-French – French culture and French literature arrives

Welcome to England the English… an island of peoples, languages, and divisions. . . Chartres Cathedral The White Tower in London… part of William’s legacy Latin -- church, schools French -- court, castle English -- commoners

What was it like to live in the Middle Ages?

The 3 Estates in the Middle Ages • The idea of estates, or orders, was encouraged during the Age, but this ordering was breaking down. – Clergy • Latin chiefly spoken, those who pray, purpose was to save everyone’s soul – Nobles • French chiefly spoken, those who fight, purpose was to protect—allow for all to work in peace—and provide justice – Commoners • English spoken, those who work, purpose was to feed and clothe all above them

feudalism A tenant (vassal) renews his oath of fealty to his lord • The economic system of much of the Middle Ages (800 -1100) • Commoners (peasants) lived on a feudal manor. The lord of the manor gave his vassals (the peasants) land to farm. • In return, the vassals received protection from roving bandits. Yet they were taxed and had to surrender a portion of their crops to the lord. – it was better to be a lord than a vassal! • Feudalism is important as it created ties of obedience and fostered a sense of loyalty between the vassals and their lord.

Chivalry • A product of feudalism, chivalry was an idealized system of manners and morals – Restricted to nobility • The Medieval knight was bound to the chivalric code to be loyal to… – God – his lord – his lady • Chivalric ideals include. . . – benevolence – brotherly love – politeness • Sir Gawain is an example

The Church • Provided guidance through well known precepts. . – Seven Deadly Sins • • Pride Greed Wrath Envy Gluttony Sloth Lust

The Wheel of Fortune The idea of Fortune and her wheel was one of the most pervasive ideas throughout the Middle Ages. On the wheel are depicted four figures: one at the top, one at the bottom, one rising, and one falling.

It served to remind of the temporality of earthly things. The Wheel helps understand the medieval mind, and it can help remind us that the important things in life come from within, that hard work has its own merits. An award, an office, a title--these are not the things that make for greatness.

the Ptolemaic Universe • Imagine a sphere that encloses another that holds yet another…and continues into heaven… • It is a commonly held myth that people of the Medieval period thought the Earth was flat…FALSE! – It was round, but at the center of the universe! • So what! Well, the people of the Medieval period loved order! Remember the Three Estates, the Seven Deadly Sins—a place for everyone and everyone in that place. Watch for this order to begin to be displaced…

With the Crusades comes The Black Death • spreads along trade routes • kills much of the population • the plague outbreaks occur through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance • Paradoxically, the Plague provides for continued growth in cities – Afterwards, hundreds of new jobs available – Many debts “died off” with creditors • also contributed to society’s culture

Enough already! I thought this was an English class!

Literature During the Medieval Period

Languages • Latin was the language of the Roman Catholic Church, which dominated Europe • The Church was the only source of education • Thus, Latin was a common language for Medieval writings.

A notable amount of medieval literature is anonymous. Medieval authors often tended to re-tell and embellish stories they heard or read rather than invent new stories.

Writings Catholic clerics were the intellectual center of society in the Middle Ages, and it is their literature that was produced in the greatest quantity.

Characteristics of Medieval Literature • Heroism – from both Germanic and Christian traditions, sometimes mingled • Beowulf • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight • Presentations of idealized behavior – literature as moral lesson • loyalty to king • chivalry • use of kennings (especially in Beowulf) – A figurative, usually compound expression used in place of a name or noun. Example, storm of swords is a kenning for battle.

Use of Allegory • An allegory is a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal. • Much of medieval literature relied on allegory to convey the morals the author had in mind while writing--representations of abstract qualities, events, and institutions are thick in much of the literature of this time.

The Ideal of Courtly Love • This relationship was modeled on the feudal relationship between a knight and his liege lord. • The knight serves his courtly lady with the same obedience and loyalty which he owes to his liege lord. • She is in complete control; he owes her obedience and submission

The knight's love for the lady inspires him to do great deeds, in order to be worthy of her love or to win her favor.

• “Courtly love" was not between husband wife because it was an idealized sort of relationship that could not exist within the context of "real life" medieval marriages. • In the middle ages, marriages amongst the nobility were typically based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than on love.

• “Courtly love" provided a model of behavior for a class of unmarried young men who might otherwise have threatened social stability. • Knights were typically younger brothers without land of their own (hence unable to support a wife). • They became members of the household of the feudal lords whom they served.

The lady is typically older, married, and of higher social status than the knight because she was modeled on the wife of the feudal lord, who might naturally become the focus of the young, unmarried knights' desire.

The literary model of courtly love may have been invented to provide young men with a model for appropriate behavior. It taught them to sublimate their desires and to channel their energy into socially useful behavior (love service rather than wandering around the countryside, stealing or raping women.

The "symptoms" of love were described as as if it were a sickness. The "lovesick" knight’s typical symptoms: sighing, turning pale, turning red, fever, inability to sleep, eat or drink.

The Quest • In addition to theme of Courtly Love, the Quest was highly important: ü the code of conduct observed by a knight errant who is wandering in search of deeds of chivalry. This knight is bound by a code of behavior a set of conventional principles and expectations

• A quest is a hero’s journey towards a goal. The objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and the overcoming of many obstacles. • The hero must obtain something, or someone, by the quest and with this object return home.

• Usually, an inner and outer problem for the character is set. • The hero is introduced; audience identifies with them • The hero lacks something, has a tragic flaw, or a deep wound • The hero is “called” to action or to do something because of duty or out of chivalry • The “call” often produces disorientation and discomfort for the hero • The “call” is often in the form of a dire warning or threat

• Excuses are used to avoid the call • This hesitation illustrates the formidability of the challenge ahead • Resistance creates change and strength, allowing the hero to grow • A physical or metaphorical crossing is made • The crossing is an irrevocable leap of faith, from which there’s no turning back

• • The hero faces his greatest fear The hero “dies, ” so he can be reborn The hero gains new perception This new perception may create a moment of clarity • The moment may be of great self-realization for the hero • It may also be an epiphany for the hero’s companions

The Hero Is often of divine descent endowed with great strength and ability" or "a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities"

Characteristics of Medieval Literature • Romance – Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – A narrative in prose or verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes • exploits of knights • often a supernatural element involved • Christian message – concern with salvation and the world to come – no interest in social change • until the late 14 th century • Chaucer signals new thinking, up-ending social order

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Have the rules of love changed? • The Art of Courtly Love ( twelfth century document) listed several rules of love: – No one can be bound by double love. – The easy attainment of love makes it of little value. Difficulty of attainment makes it prized – A new love puts flight to an old one. – If love diminishes, it quickly fails and rarely revives

Has our basic needs/motivations changed? • • Desire to survive Look good Attract a mate Attempts to uphold morality

Scenario One: • You are at a party, having a great time, when a frightening guest crashes it. He/she demands that someone fight him/her—if he/she dares!

Scenario Two: • There’s a kid at school who is an unbearable braggart. He/she is the best at everything!! How would you teach him/her a lesson?

Scenario Three: . • Someone you are very attracted to uses his/her sex appeal to talk you into doing something you know is wrong.

Scenario Four: • You have to admit you have done something wrong in front of a large group of your peers

The Green Knight • He challenges King Arthur’s knights to a New Year’s game. • The Green Knight wants to exchange “one blow for another. ” • The stranger will stand for the first blow if the other knight will agree to have his turn in a year and a day.

Sir Gawain • Sir Gawain accepts the Green Knight’s challenge. • He honors his word and searches for the knight’s Green Chapel. • Gawain finds a lord and his lady on his quest who offer him shelter on Christmas day. • The lord has the lady tempt Sir Gawain three times on the rules of courtly love. • Gawain resists--all but one advance. • The Green Knight reveals himself to be the lord and spares Gawain for his honesty.

Poetic form and devices • Alliterative Revival • Bob and Wheel – Bob: one line of two or three syllables – Wheel: four three-stress lines – Entire structure rhymes ababa

The Structure of the Poem • Three Gawains Representing the Three Fitts (The 3 Steps towards Heaven): – Courteous and brave brother of Round Table – Flawless exemplar of Christian chivalry – Flawed everyman

Fitt One: Characters • Arthur: poet’s qualified approval • Sir Gawain: representative, not elect • Green Knight: ambiguous nature – Green body: supernatural – Green and gold equipment: courtly youth – Holly bob: life, peace – Axe: war

Fitt One: The Game • • Gratuitous (thus romantic, not heroic) Governed by rules (romantic, not heroic) Seasonable (customary Christmas drama) Quasi-legal (rules are reiterated) Tests important knightly virtues Involves seemingly inevitable death Ernest/game ambiguity makes it possible for Gawain to treat the obligation lightly, but does not make it right for him to do so

Fitt Two: The Process • Midwinter: Indoors/outdoors – Wine, feasting, celebration – Cold, sleet, rain • Arming of Gawain

Fitt Two: The Pentangle • “Truth” – “Loyal to people, principles, or promises” – Possesses “faith in God” – “Without deceit, ” “sincere” – “Upright and virtuous” • The Fifth Five: Five Virtues – Generosity, companionableness, courtesy, pure mind, compassion – Secular and social – Interdependent

Fitt Two: The Journey • Eight weeks: 11/2 -12/24 • Departs on All Souls’ Day • Four phases – Arthurian England – N. Wales (Winifred’s Well) – The Wirral – “Strange country” • Realistic and fantastic

Fitt Three: Temptation • Lady maneuvers based on her misconception of Gawain – courtesy is all • Courtly ladies can pursue • Kisses are not adulterous

Fitt Three: Hunt and Bed • Day three represents a departure from the noble conduct of days one and two. – Deer/boar are noble; fox is ignoble • The victim (hero). . . – Flees an adversary (hounds/lady) – Retreats from prospect of another adversary (Bercilak/Green Knight) – Succumbs to original adversary (hounds/lady)

Fitt Three: The Girdle • Green and gold (should remind reader of Green Knight) • Not accepted for monetary value or beauty • Gawain acts differently after his fall: – Gawain goes to Confession, not Mass – Gawain awaits host, instead of host calling – Gawain goes first, not host – Gawain wears blue, color of faithfulness

Fitt Three: Confession • Shame and mortification • Reparation: Gawain returns girdle (and it is given back to him) • Statement of sin: Gawain admits cowardice, covetousness, untruth • Request for penance -- Bercilak (Green Knight) refuses

Fitt Three: Judgement – Condemnation – Gawain did sin – Mercy – Sin was from love of life, not from lower passion or malice – Contrasting responses show decorum • Bercilak shows comparatively more mercy, for Gawain is more prone to despair than to presumption • Gawain shows wounded pride, but is harsh on himself – Problem of shifting blame to women – perhaps to make Gawain’s behavior realistic?