Medieval Literature

Themes of Medieval Literature fall into several major categories which seem to reflect the concerns/focus of life for people in that time period. Themes of Medieval Literature fall into several major categories which seem to reflect the concerns/focus of life for people in that time period. The Seven Deadly Sins (what to avoid) The Seven Deadly Sins (what to avoid) The Seven Heavenly Virtues (what to do) The Seven Heavenly Virtues (what to do) Physiognomy and “The Humours” Physiognomy and “The Humours” Values of “courtly love” Values of “courtly love” The Code of Chivalry The Code of Chivalry

The Seven Deadly Sins Lust Lust Gluttony Gluttony Avarice (greed) Avarice (greed) Sloth Sloth Wrath Wrath Envy Envy Pride Pride

The Seven Heavenly Virtues Chastity Chastity Temperance Temperance Charity Charity Diligence Diligence Forgiveness Forgiveness Kindness Kindness Humility Humility

Physiognomy Popular "science" in the Middle Ages Popular "science" in the Middle Ages Based on the idea that the mental and emotional characteristics could be determined from physical characteristics like physique, hair, and voice quality Based on the idea that the mental and emotional characteristics could be determined from physical characteristics like physique, hair, and voice quality

“The 4 Humours” A traditional theory that said state of health-- and by extension the state of mind or character--depended upon a balance among the four elemental fluids: blood, yellow bile, phlegm, and black bile. A traditional theory that said state of health-- and by extension the state of mind or character--depended upon a balance among the four elemental fluids: blood, yellow bile, phlegm, and black bile. Closely allied with the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth) Closely allied with the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth)

The 4 Humours, cont. BLOOD BLOOD Element: Air Element: Air Description: Hot and Moist Description: Hot and Moist Word used: “Sanguine” Word used: “Sanguine” Characteristic: Amorous, happy, generous Characteristic: Amorous, happy, generous

The 4 Humours, cont. YELLOW BILE YELLOW BILE Element: Fire Element: Fire Description: hot and dry Description: hot and dry Word used: “Choleric” Word used: “Choleric” Characteristic: violent and vengeful Characteristic: violent and vengeful

The 4 Humours, cont. PHLEGM PHLEGM Element: Water Element: Water Description: cold and moist Description: cold and moist Word used: “Phlegmatic” Word used: “Phlegmatic” Characteristic: dull, pale, cowardly Characteristic: dull, pale, cowardly

The 4 Humours, cont. BLACK BILE BLACK BILE Element: Earth Element: Earth Description: cold and dry Description: cold and dry Word used: “Melancholic” Word used: “Melancholic” Characteristic: gluttonous, lazy, sentimental Characteristic: gluttonous, lazy, sentimental

Courtly Love* What Love is: What Love is: Love is a certain inborn suffering derived from the sight of and excessive meditation upon the beauty of the opposite sex, which causes each one to wish for, above all things, the embraces of the other and by common desire to carry out all of love‘s precepts in the other‘s embrace. Love is a certain inborn suffering derived from the sight of and excessive meditation upon the beauty of the opposite sex, which causes each one to wish for, above all things, the embraces of the other and by common desire to carry out all of love‘s precepts in the other‘s embrace. from The Art of Courtly Love, by Andreas Capellanus from The Art of Courtly Love, by Andreas Capellanus

Chivalry System of discipline and social interaction that is derived from the warrior class of medieval times, primarily the class of trained warriors who participated in the Crusades (12 th – 14 th centuries). System of discipline and social interaction that is derived from the warrior class of medieval times, primarily the class of trained warriors who participated in the Crusades (12 th – 14 th centuries). The ideals and behavior codes governed both knight and gentlewoman The ideals and behavior codes governed both knight and gentlewoman adhere to the oath of loyalty to one’s overlord adhere to the oath of loyalty to one’s overlord acceptance of certain rules of warfare acceptance of certain rules of warfare adoration of a particular lady for purposes of self- improvement adoration of a particular lady for purposes of self- improvement

Ideals of Knighthood were often violated by the Knight warriors themselves. Ideals of Knighthood were often violated by the Knight warriors themselves. Ideals survived as Knighthood came to be thought of as an honor to be bestowed upon those who had proven themselves worthy. Ideals survived as Knighthood came to be thought of as an honor to be bestowed upon those who had proven themselves worthy. Rank and status of Knight began to take on aspects of a minor Nobility that one could achieve (rather than having to be born into). (Example: People like Sir Paul McCartney) Rank and status of Knight began to take on aspects of a minor Nobility that one could achieve (rather than having to be born into). (Example: People like Sir Paul McCartney)

A Knight should be known for: Prowess Prowess Justice Justice Loyalty Loyalty Defense Defense Courage Courage Faith Humility Largesse Nobility Franchise

The Chivalric code has never died. It is still the basis for what are today considered “good manners” or “proper behavior” (such as women and children first). The Chivalric code has never died. It is still the basis for what are today considered “good manners” or “proper behavior” (such as women and children first).

Characteristics of the Medieval Romance Romance – from the French romanz – means “in the Roman language” (i.e., not Latin, but the “vernacular” – the language spoken by the people) Romance – from the French romanz – means “in the Roman language” (i.e., not Latin, but the “vernacular” – the language spoken by the people)

Romance, cont. Often contains supernatural or magical events Often contains supernatural or magical events Set in a world where ordinary laws or nature are often suspended. Set in a world where ordinary laws or nature are often suspended. Idealized heroes fight the forces of evil Idealized heroes fight the forces of evil Usually centers on a quest. (The hero goes on a perilous journey in search of something of great value.) Usually centers on a quest. (The hero goes on a perilous journey in search of something of great value.)

Romance, cont. Story is old in origin and simple in structure Story is old in origin and simple in structure Writers in later times set stories in an earlier time (such as Ivanhoe or modern fantasy stories) Writers in later times set stories in an earlier time (such as Ivanhoe or modern fantasy stories) Events and characters come in sets of 3 Events and characters come in sets of 3 When the hero dies, he takes on the features of a god or is remembered as someone more than human When the hero dies, he takes on the features of a god or is remembered as someone more than human The questions raised in the stories are simplistic and have obvious answers The questions raised in the stories are simplistic and have obvious answers Similar to children’s stories Similar to children’s stories

Characteristics of the Romantic Hero Is very similar to the epic hero Is very similar to the epic hero Goes on a quest, often with companions. (Quest is a perilous journey.) Goes on a quest, often with companions. (Quest is a perilous journey.) Demonstrates bravery Demonstrates bravery Is Faithful/loyal Is Faithful/loyal Is Intelligent/wise Is Intelligent/wise Often shows a need to impress others with his heroic deeds Often shows a need to impress others with his heroic deeds Represents the ideals of heroism and leadership in his society Represents the ideals of heroism and leadership in his society

Romantic Hero, cont. Always follows the Code of Chivalry: Always follows the Code of Chivalry: Honor is extremely important (prefers death to dishonor) Honor is extremely important (prefers death to dishonor) Shows respect for women Shows respect for women Is a skilled warrior Is a skilled warrior Follows the rules of combat Follows the rules of combat Always pays debts/fulfills obligations Always pays debts/fulfills obligations Is concerned about the welfare of his opponent. (You must take care of a man you just injured in combat.) Is concerned about the welfare of his opponent. (You must take care of a man you just injured in combat.) Has a sense of fairness. (He won’t participate in a fight that’s heavily weighted on one side.) Has a sense of fairness. (He won’t participate in a fight that’s heavily weighted on one side.)