English Medieval Literature
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Transcript of English Medieval Literature
Chateau de Chambord
ENGLISH LITERATURE The Medieval PeriodGroup 3
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
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
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
England before the English
The Britons were absorbed into Roman society
Latin is spoken Romans withdraw as the Empire crumbles, leaving the Britons behind.
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
England before the English
Wednesday, day of Woden, father of the godsThursday, day of Thor, god of war
Group of pagan people from Northern Europe begin a series of invasions
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
England before the English
Wednesday, day of Woden, father of the godsThursday, day of Thor, god of war
Anglo-Saxons (Angles, Saxons, Jutes)brought Germanic languages.But the Celtics managed to keep their language.
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
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.
England before the English
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to convert the pagans
- Latin (the language of the Church) returns
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
King Alfredthe Britons become organizedfirst true king of the Britonsperiod of prosperity
England before the English
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
England before the EnglishIn 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
Welcome to England and the English,an island of people, languages, and divisions...
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
during the Middle Ages
Languageused in Medieval Literature
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
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.
.
WritingsDuring the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
Catholic clerics were the intellectual center of society in the Middle Ages, and it is their literature that was produced in the greatest quantity.
CHARACTERISTICSof 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
1. loyalty to king2. chivalry
Use of AllegoryAn allegory is a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal.
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
CHARACTERISTICSof 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
1. exploits of knights2. often a supernatural element
involved
Christian Message• concern with salvation and the world to come
no interest in social change
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
THEMESof Medieval Literature
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.
Fact:In the middle ages, marriages amongst the nobility were typically based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than on love.
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
CHARACTERISTICSof Medieval Literature
The Ideal of Courtly Love
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.
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
CHARACTERISTICSof Medieval Literature
The QuestA 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's must obtain something, or someone, by the quest and with this object return home.
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
CædmonEarliest-Known English Poet
Writer of the Cædmon’s Hymn in honour of God the Creator:
Nu scylun hergan hefaenricaes uard metudæs maecti end his modgidanc uerc uuldurfadur sue he uundra gihuaes eci dryctin or astelidæ he aerist scop aelda barnum heben til hrofe haleg scepen. tha middungeard moncynnæs uard eci dryctin æfter tiadæ firum foldu frea allmectigprimo cantauit Cædmon istud carmen.
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
CædmonEarliest-Known English Poet
Writer of the Cædmon’s Hymn in honour of God the Creator:
Now let me praise the keeper of Heaven's kingdom, The might of the Creator, and his thought, The work of the Father of glory, how each of wonders The Eternal Lord established in the beginning. He first created for the sons of men Heaven as a roof, the holy Creator, Then Middle-earth the keeper of mankind, The Eternal Lord, afterwards made, The earth for men, the Almighty Lord.
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
Geoffrey Chaucer
The Father of English Literature
(1343 – October 25, 1400)
The Canterbury Tales was the most famous work by Geoffrey Chaucer which places him in the front rank of the narrative poets of the world. The Canterbury Tales contains about 18,000 lines of verse, besides some passages in prose, and was left incomplete but began modern English literature.
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
Geoffrey Chaucer
The Father of English Literature
Chaucer’s famous poems:Troilus and Criseyde
& The Canterbury Tales
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
St. Julian of NorwichThe Father of English Literature
Revelations of Divine Love
It is believed to be the first published book in the English
language to be written by a woman.
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
St. Julian of NorwichThe Father of English Literature
The first chapter begins with a single sentence introduction: This is a Revelation of Love that Jesus Christ, our endless bliss, made in Sixteen Shewings, or Revelations particular. This is followed by a sentence or two describing each of the sixteen visions in turn.
Revelations of Divine Love
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
St. Julian of NorwichThe Father of English Literature
The second chapter is partly autobiographical. Julian mentions her illness, but in a spiritual manner. She reflects on three 'gifts' from God: meditation on the passion of Christ, meditation on her own suffering and the gift of greater piety.
Revelations of Divine Love
WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period
History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works
St. Julian of Norwich
The Father of English Literature
In the third chapter, which concludes the introduction, Julian writes more concretely about the events of her illness and her preparation for death by receiving the last rites. The introduction ends with Julian's recounting of her sudden recovery as she lay on her deathbed gazing at a shining image of the cross.
Revelations of Divine Love
Pictures & contents are not owned by the Group 3 unless otherwise stated. Credits go to the owners.
© Emmanuel Rivera, in behalf of Group 3 – English Class ERHS
“ Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.”Psalm 107:43 (NIV)