Characteristics of Romance Literature English IVA Mrs. Tomlin

What is a medieval romance? A tale of high adventure. Can be a religious crusade a conquest for the knight's liege lord or the rescue of a captive lady or any combination.

Characteristics Idealizes the hero-knight and his noble (daring) deeds the knight's love for his lady (quest for love or adventure) settings of medieval romance tend to be imaginary and vague (faraway setting)

The Romance Tradition Earliest French romances date to the mid-12th century, c Earliest English romances date to c –The earliest of these romances for a courtly audience would have been in French. Anglo-Norman was the dominant literary language in England from Finest English romances date to the 14th and 15th centuries

Characteristics cont. Medieval romance derives mystery and suspense from supernatural elements Medieval romance uses concealed or disguised identity Daring deeds Codes of honor or chivalry Light hearted tone Loose structure

A Noble Hero-Knight Birth of a great hero is shrouded in mystery He is reared away from his true home in ignorance of his real parents. For a time his true identity is unknown After meeting an extraordinary challenge, he claims his right His triumph benefits his nation or group

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

I. Manuscript Written between Also contains Pearl, Patience, and Purity

II. 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

III. The Structure of the Poem Three Gawains: –Courteous and brave brother of Round Table –Flawless exemplar of Christian chivalry –Flawed everyman

IV. Departures from Romance Hero is one of us, not superior to us/environment Gawain fails the test because he is human/sinful Realism may result from 13 th -14 th century “penance campaigns,” new “moral psychology.” Mixture of romance and realism leaves the reader wondering what rules govern this world.