Medieval Literature

1
Medieval Literature

• Romance, Romantic Hero, conventions, and
  background information

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Medieval Romance

• A tale of High Adventure. Can be a religious
  crusade, a conquest for the knight's leige lord,
  or the rescue of a captive lady or any
  combination.

3
Medieval Romance

• The word romance comes from the Old French term
  "romans," which was used to differentiate the
  language of the people from the language of the
  Church.

4
Medieval Romance

• The Church wrote and spoke Latin, a language
  little changed from classical times. The lay
  population spoke French, which was continuously
  evolving from Celtic and Germanic influence
  "romans" was the term for this language.

5
Medieval Romance

• These literatures were loosely-based historical
  accounts from the beginning the authors who used
  the vernacular realized that they must please as
  well as edify, that history would not be
  acceptable to their patrons unless made
  entertaining.

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Medieval Romance

• Legends, folk-lore, superstitions, etc. were
  added to the mix to please the audience, and
  historical truth became almost entirely lost. Any
  declarations of "historical truth" were simply
  for convention.

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Medieval Romance

• Romance flourished in France from 1150-1250
  those composed at later dates were usually
  re-imaginings of the first efforts.

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Romantic Hero

• Birth of a great hero is shrouded in mystery

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Romantic Hero

• He is reared away from his true home in ignorance
  of his real parents.

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Romantic Hero

• For a time his true identity is unknown

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Romantic Hero

• After meeting an extraordinary challenge, he
  claims his right

12
Romantic Hero

• His triumph benefits his nation or group

13
Characteristics

• Medieval romance usually idealizes chivalry
• Chivalrous conduct, arising from the feudal
  system and Christian morals, were a strong force
  within romances.
• Such conduct included loyalty to duty, courtesy,
  and service to the oppressed. Loyalty was
  paramount in a hierarchical social system,
  courtesy and service to the oppressed was the
  ideal in a religious system focused on humility
  and godliness.

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Characteristics

• Medieval romance Idealizes the hero and his noble
  deeds

15
Characteristics

• An important element of the medieval romance is
  the knight's love for his lady
• The love element, while not necessary for a
  romance (adventure alone can be considered
  romantic), is nearly always present in medieval
  versions, and of a particular kind. What we now
  consider courtly love began in the middle of the
  twelfth century, when a "woman-worship" arose,
  stemming from the worship of the Virgin Mary.
  What the "courtly" designation did to love was
  elevate it to an art form. No longer was love
  merely an emotion. Women were supreme, and the
  essence of love was not passion or regard but
  devotion. Love could not be exaggerated, since it
  was the lover's role to satisfy every whim of his
  lady. Fidelity and service were the ultimate
  goals of love.

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Characteristics

• The settings of medieval romance tend to be
  imaginary and vague

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Characteristics

• Medieval romance derives mystery and suspense
  from supernatural elements
• Although romance took on an unrealistic focus it
  still followed certain conventions drawn from
  real life. Christian morals find their way into
  most romances, even though often intermingled
  with pagan belief systems.

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Characteristics

• Medieval romance uses concealed or disguised
  identity

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Characteristics

• Repetition of the mystical number "3."
  (Repetitions of the number or multiples of 3)

20
Chevrefoil

• Marie de France (12th Century)
• Drew inspiration from Celtic tales
• Perhaps because she was female (we believe) she
  tended to focus on the personal lives of both the
  male and the female characters.

21
Nibelungenlied

• Considered the national epic of Germany

22
Chanson de Roland (Song of Roland)

• National epic of France
• An example of a chansons de geste or songs of
  deeds (an epic poem relating the heroic deeds of
  Charlemagne)

23
The Grail

• Chrétien de Troyes
• Part of the Arthurian Legend