The Literature of Romance

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The Literature of Romance
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Romance

• Developed in France and is so called because
  stories were first told in Romance languages.
• Celebrated the idea chivalry.
• The heros origins are mysterious.
• He is frequently raised in obscurity before
  taking his rightful place as leader.

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Chivalric Code

• Bravery
• Honorable
• Loyal
• Pious
• Generous
• Help the weak
• Protect women

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Questing

• Typical knights sought quests to prove courage.
• A long perilous journey in search of something of
  value a kingdom, the rescue of a maiden, the
  destruction of a devouring beast, a treasure
  trove, the Holy Grail.

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Arthurian Legend Background
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Origin

• Celtic in origin
• Written in seven languages
• Irish
• Welsch
• Scottish
• Gaelic
• Manx
• Cornish
• Breton

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• Deal primarily with places events in British
  Isles French Brittany

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Genre

• High fantasy medieval romance
• Often involves archetypal story pattern
• Heroic quest
• Jousts
• Feasts

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Theme

• Contrast
• Medieval romance is a conflict between good and
  evil in which both forces may use magic
• Chivalry
• Code of conduct among knights in medieval times
• Four principle duties of a knight
• Accept and carry out the code of chivalry
• To correct wrongs
• To honor their word
• To serve their lady

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Basis

• Story
• Tells of adventures of early king of Britain
  Celts (Arthur) the knights ladies who made up
  his royal court at Camelot
• Elements include mounted warriors (knights),
  jousts, tournaments, falconry, wizardry,
  enchantresses, damsels in distress, wars, quests,
  chivalry

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• Who was Arthur?
• Probably not what the legend makes him seem more
  likely a dux bellorum (war chief) of Welsh
• Trained in war by Romans in 517, led his
  cavalry to great victory against Saxon invaders
  from Germany
• Killed in Battle of Glastonbury in Southwestern
  England secretly buried there by his knights

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• How was the legend passed on?
• Celtic storytellers
• Bards
• Minstrels
• Singers
• Bards shaped re-shaped legend through telling
  to make the tale satisfy the hopes dreams of
  the listeners
• Celts were a defeated people Arthur brought
  them glory. Celts believed Arthur was not dead
  he was being protected by Merlin would return
  again