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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother
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

5. 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

6. the 3rd language is introduced--French
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 3rd language is introduced--French
French culture and French literature arrives

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

8. What was it like to live in the Middle Ages?

9. 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

10. A tenant (vassal) renews his oath of fealty to his lord
feudalism
The economic system of much of the Middle Ages ( )
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.
A tenant (vassal) renews his oath of fealty to his lord

11. 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

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. the Ptolemaic Universe
Imagine a sphere that encloses another that holds 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…
the Ptolemaic Universe

18. 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

19. I thought this was an English class!
Enough already!
I thought this was an English class!

20. Literature During the Medieval Period

21. 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.

22. A notable amount of medieval literature is anonymous
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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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.

29. “Courtly love" was not between husband and 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.

30. “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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. The Quest
In addition to the theme of Courtly Love, the Quest was highly important:
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

35. A quest is a hero’s journey towards a goal
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.

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

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

40. 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 14th century
Chaucer signals new thinking, up-ending social order

41. 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

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

43. 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!

44. 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?

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

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

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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

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

54. 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

55. 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

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

57. 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)

58. 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

59. 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

60. 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?