1. THE MIDDLE AGES From Beowulf to Chaucer Lugnan Viviana & Testolin Francesca

2. Historical context 5th Century: Anglo-Saxon invasions 1066: first and last conquest of England from Normans Birth of feudal- system 1215: Magna Charta: the process of negotiation between barons and the King. It limited the royal power 1381: Peasants Revolt 1453-1485: The war of the Roses 1485: the Middle Ages came to an end

3. Anglo-Saxon literature: BEOWULF The first epic pagan poem It had been orally transmitted before being recorded on paper (10° Century) It was written in Old English (mix of germanic dialects) It represents Anglo-Saxons’ values Beowulf is the hero of the poem

4. Medieval Society Pyramidal, hierarchical organization Privileged code is the religious one  regular code People were interested in salvation William I the Conqueror instituted the feudal system  lands distribuited among knights and barons

5. Women condition Wives or nuns Underrated inside the society Often considered as witches (people believed in supernatural) Private and domestic sphere considered a woman’s world Restricted education

6. The ballad Narrative poem Orally transmitted Revived during the romantic period For common people Characters simply sketched Themes: tragical events, supernatural, demon love, battles on the boarder between Scotland and England Use of music

7. Medieval literature Mystery plays: stories taken from the Old Testament, the Creation and Fall to the last Judgement. Performed inside the church and later brought outside Morality plays: allegorical tales in which human qualities were personified (vices and virtues)

8. The Canterbury tales (Geoffrey Chaucer) Written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer First masterpiece of English literature Inspired by Boccaccio’s Decameron Series of linked stories Pilgrimage to Canterbury Characters belonged to different social classes Characters both individuals and stereotype