Medieval Romances

1
Medieval Romances

• Background to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

2
Definition of Romance

• The word ROMANCE originally denoted languages
  derived from Latin, then came to refer to
  something written in French as well to have
  anything having characteristics of French writing.

3
Characteristics of the Romance

• A Tale of High Adventure
• Structurally it follows the pattern of a
  QUEST --Can be a religious Quest, a conquest for
  the knights liege lord, the rescue of a captive
  lady OR any combo of the above
• It idealizes CHIVALRY

4
Continued

• It also idealizes the HERO-KNIGHT and his noble
  deedscourage, skill in arms, openness to
  adventure/challenges
• Emphasizes his love for a lady (or the concept of
  ladies in general) or love as a motivation
• Often uses concealed or disguised identity

5
Setting

• The settings tend to be imaginary and vague
• Often in a fantasy world of marvels
• Typically moves from court to wilderness

6
Supernatural/Mysticism

• The tales derive mystery and suspense from
  supernatural elementscreatures (dragons, trolls,
  ogres, etc), sorcerers/sorceresses (Merlin,
  Morgana la Fey), objects (Excalibur, the Grail,
  etc.)
• The tales therefore employ miracles and wonders
• Repetition of the mystical number 3

7
Characteristics of the Hero-Knight

• Birth is often shrouded in mystery
• He is reared away from 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

8
Chivalry

• an elaborate code of conduct, manners, behaviors
• from the French word chevalier horse soldier
• Purpose to reduce the coarseness and violence of
  medieval life

9
Divisions of Chivalry

• Feudalstresses loyalty to lords, strength,
  courage, skills in weapons
• Religious stresses piety, temperance/abstinence,
  chastity
• Must adhere to church laws first, then to
  kings laws

10
Continued

• Courtly (usually referred to as Courtly
  Love)stresses adoration of the lady,
  faithfulness, courtesy, social graces. Belief
  that love is a perfecting force that makes one
  noble, even perfect

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Knightly Virtues and Duties

• Total devotion to goal
• Uphold good and overturn evil
• Protect poor and weakwidows, maidens, orphans
• Generosity
• Gain and cultivate a positive reputation

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Continued

• Love God and be willing to die for Him
• Possess justice and loyalty
• Remain clean in flesh and spirit
• Face deaths inevitability
• Abstain from excessive alcohol use
• Attend mass daily

13
Becoming a Knight

• Age 7The son of a noble begins training,
  starting out as a page in the house of a lord. He
  learned manners and the use of weapons
• Age 15He became a squire. He attended to his
  lord, spent time in military exercises.
• Knighthood was reached when the squire became
  sufficiently skilled. No particular age.

14
Rules of Hospitality Also called Guest/Host
Relationship

• Unwritten set of expectations and behaviors
  between any visitor and his host. Visitors would
  often be strangers, travelers seeking refuge at
  any house along the way.

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Guidelines

• Guest has free reign and should be treated with
  great care and concern.
• Host is a servant to his needs.
• Guest must conduct himself accordingly in
  dignified/formal manner, never taking advantage
  of the situation or generosity of host.
• Host can allow no harm to come to guestmust
  defend his guest at any cost, with his death if
  need be.
• This relationship is basically an embodiment of
  the Golden Rule