From Gilgamesh to Sir Thomas Malory

Gilgamesh  The original written stories of King Gilgamesh date from the 21 st century B.C  It deals with many timeless concerns:  How to become known and respected.  How to cope with the loss of a dear friend.  How to accept one’s own inevitable death.

Gilgamesh  Was an international favorite of its era.  Based on Sumerian legend, the story was given final form by a Babylonian.  In the 7 th century B.C, a copy was added to the library of the Assyrian King Ashurbanipal.  The original version of the text was eventually lost.

Gilgamesh  The ancient copy was later rediscovered by archeologists in the King’s library during the 19 th century.  The poem was written on clay tablets in cuneiform, the wedge shaped writing used by the Babylonians.  Historians were very excited about the portion of the story that describes the great flood, similar to that of Noah’s ark.

Homer & The Iliad  One of the most powerful influences on British & European Literature.  Homer was blind, and was referred to as “The Poet.”

Homer Cont.  He probably composed The Iliad in the 8th century B.C.  It is thought that Homer was a wandering poet who performed at royal courts.  Wrote The Iliad & The Odyssey.  Homer’s epics were recited at Panhellenic festivals (occasions when people gathered from around the world for athletic and musical competitions).

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight & Morte d’Arthur

Knights of Legend  Medieval Europe depended on a few powerful words-the promise of loyalty a knight gave to his lord.  By A.D. 1000, a simple promise had blossomed into a social order called feudalism.

Feudalism  A system of obligations that bound lords and their subjects in Europe during much of the Middle Ages. In theory, the king owned all or most of the land and gave it to his leading nobles in return for their loyalty and military service. The nobles in turn held land that peasants, including serfs, were allowed to farm in return for the peasants' labor and a portion of their produce.

The Code of Chivalry  As an expression of feudal ideals of honor, nobles developed a code of honor called chivalry.  This code demanded that knights be brave warriors and virtuous Christians who would selflessly fight for justice.

King Arthur & His Knights  The ideals of chivalry gave rise to legends and songs.  In the 11th century, as feudalism established itself throughout Europe, stories about Arthur’s court became widespread.

Sir Thomas Malory  A convicted felon who spent much of his life in jail.  The author of the most complete surviving collection of Arthurian legends, Morte d’Arthur.  Loved hunting and tournaments as well as Arthurian lore.  Probably wrote Morte d’Arthur from behind bars.  Morte d’Arthur was printed by William Caxton, he established the first printing press in England, after Malroy’s death.

Medieval Romance  Romances are narratives based in fantasy that tell of strange, sometimes supernatural events in exotic settings.  Medieval Romances are adventure stories that feature knights, kings, and damsels in distress and tell of quests, battles, and doomed love.  Look for the theme of love and honor in a blend of realism and fantasy.

Legends  Anonymous traditional stories about the past.  Legends may be based in fact.  They typically feature these elements:  Heroic figures and memorable deeds.  Quests, contests, or tests.  Patterned events (ex. events repeated three times).