Medieval Romances
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Transcript of Medieval Romances
Medieval Romances
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight&
Le Morte D’Arthur
Convey a sense of the
supernatural Mystery and suspense Glamorous portrayal of castle
life Chivalric ideals: character
guided by bravery, honor, courtesy, fairness to enemies, respect for women
Characteristics of a Medieval Romance
Heroic adventures Setting is often imaginary/vague Concealed identities/disguises Damsels in distress
Characteristics of a Medieval Romance
Birth is often mysterious Either away from his true
home or does not know his parents
True identity is often unknown at first
Faces extraordinary challenges
Triumphs and victories benefit a nation or group
The Romantic Hero
Supernatural elements Heroic adventures epic quests Extraordinary challenges Victories benefit groups of people/nations
Romantic Heroes vs. Epic Heroes
Sir Gawain: king Arthur’s nephew
and one of the bravest Knights of the Round Table
Follows the code of chivalry Story highlights Gawain’s flaw: his
fear of death causes him to break the code of chivalry
Appearances vs. reality: Gawain appears to be chivalrous and honest, but is neither when faced with death
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ begins with a New Year’s Eve feast at Camelot
Dinner is interrupted by a giant green knight with an ax
The Green Knight rides into the hall on a green horse and issues a challenge He will allow whomever accepts the challenge to
strike him with his own axe, on the condition that the challenger find him in exactly one year to receive a blow in return
Background