Middle English literature
Middle English literature
Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie &
Associates, Inc.
Middle English literature
Middle English literature
Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie &
Associates, Inc.
1066 - the Battle of
1066 - the Battle of
Hastings
Hastings
Literature of three
Literature of three
languages
languages
•
English, Anglo-Norman (French) and
English, Anglo-Norman (French) and
Latin
Latin
Arthurian literature
Arthurian literature
•
early chronicles - a nameless Celtic commander who
early chronicles - a nameless Celtic commander who
fought with Anglosaxons
fought with Anglosaxons
•
Geoffrey of Monmouth -
Geoffrey of Monmouth -
Historia Regum Britanniae
Historia Regum Britanniae
1135
1135
•
legendary founding of Britain by Brutus, the grandson
legendary founding of Britain by Brutus, the grandson
of Aeneas
of Aeneas
•
claims to be a translation of a Welsh chronicle
claims to be a translation of a Welsh chronicle
•
other characters Guanhumara (Guinevere), his
other characters Guanhumara (Guinevere), his
nephews Gualguanus (Gawain) and Mordred
nephews Gualguanus (Gawain) and Mordred
Translatio Studii Et Imperii
Translatio Studii Et Imperii
Wace (1155)
Wace (1155)
•
a Jersey writer, translated Geoffrey’s
a Jersey writer, translated Geoffrey’s
chronicle into French and enlarged it
chronicle into French and enlarged it
•
the first to mention the Round Table
the first to mention the Round Table
Chretien de Troyes (late
Chretien de Troyes (late
12th c.)
12th c.)
•
Frenchman,
Frenchman,
the earliest writer of
the earliest writer of
Arthurian romance
Arthurian romance
•
Lancelot & Guinevere, Perceval &
Lancelot & Guinevere, Perceval &
Graal
Graal
•
Robert de Baron - the first to explain
Robert de Baron - the first to explain
the meaning of Graal
the meaning of Graal
Marie de France (late 12th
Marie de France (late 12th
c.)
c.)
•
French poet who probably lived in England
French poet who probably lived in England
•
perhaps a nun, the illegitimate daughter of
perhaps a nun, the illegitimate daughter of
Godefroy d’Anjou
Godefroy d’Anjou
•
Lais, Fables
Lais, Fables
and
and
Espurgatoire Saint Patrice
Espurgatoire Saint Patrice
•
lai - a song or short narrative poem,
lai - a song or short narrative poem,
originally based on Breton songs
originally based on Breton songs
Verse romance
Verse romance
•
Quest
Quest
Tristram and Iseult
Tristram and Iseult
•
The oldest version -
The oldest version -
Le Roman de
Le Roman de
Tristan
Tristan
by an Anglo - Norman writer
by an Anglo - Norman writer
Thomas of Britain
Thomas of Britain
•
German and French versions (by
German and French versions (by
Chretien de Troyes and Marie de France)
Chretien de Troyes and Marie de France)
•
Sir Tristrem
Sir Tristrem
- Middle English, late 13th
- Middle English, late 13th
c.
c.
Sir Thomas Malory (d.
Sir Thomas Malory (d.
c.1471)
c.1471)
•
Le Morte Darthur
Le Morte Darthur
- the greatest of
- the greatest of
medieval
medieval
prose
prose
romances
romances
Courtly love
Courtly love
•
Provence – Eleanor of Aquitaine &
Provence – Eleanor of Aquitaine &
her daughter Marie of Champagne
her daughter Marie of Champagne
•
cult of Virgin Mary
cult of Virgin Mary
•
lady as suzerain
lady as suzerain
•
influenced even
influenced even
Ancrene Riwle
Ancrene Riwle
(c.1200) -
(c.1200) -
Anchoresses Rule
Anchoresses Rule
The Alliterative Revival
The Alliterative Revival
•
after the Norman conquest poetry written in
after the Norman conquest poetry written in
English uses irregular metres, sometimes rhymes
English uses irregular metres, sometimes rhymes
and occasionally alliteration, but not in a regular
and occasionally alliteration, but not in a regular
way
way
•
the poems written in the second half of the 14
the poems written in the second half of the 14
th
th
c., using alliteration and written mostly in the
c., using alliteration and written mostly in the
western or north-western part of England
western or north-western part of England
•
spreading north to Scotland where it survived
spreading north to Scotland where it survived
until the early 16
until the early 16
th
th
c.
c.
The Alliterative Revival
The Alliterative Revival
•
in the period 1275 – 1350 - 28
in the period 1275 – 1350 - 28
extant lines of alliterative verse
extant lines of alliterative verse
•
in 1350 – 1425 – 40,000 extant lines
in 1350 – 1425 – 40,000 extant lines
of alliterative verse
of alliterative verse
•
but why??????
but why??????
The Alliterative Revival
The Alliterative Revival
•
the same alliteration pattern as in
the same alliteration pattern as in
OE poetry aa/ax or ax/ax
OE poetry aa/ax or ax/ax
Hit
Hit watz
watz
É
É
ni
nias the
as the
á
á
t
thel - and his
hel - and his
h
h
ig
ighe kýnde.
he kýnde.
The Authorship?
The Authorship?
•
educated and cultivated people
educated and cultivated people
•
the manuscripts are rather modest-
the manuscripts are rather modest-
looking, they are not “luxury
looking, they are not “luxury
editions”
editions”
The Monasteries?
The Monasteries?
•
subjects – mostly history (esp.
subjects – mostly history (esp.
English), war, moral or religious, but
English), war, moral or religious, but
love usually plays a secondary role
love usually plays a secondary role
or is depicted as the sinful
or is depicted as the sinful
temptation (viz.
temptation (viz.
Sir Gawain
Sir Gawain
)
)
The Cotton Nero A.x
The Cotton Nero A.x
•
Pearl
Pearl
•
Purity
Purity
(a.k.a.
(a.k.a.
Cleanness
Cleanness
)
)
•
Patience
Patience
•
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
•
all the poems can be interpreted as
all the poems can be interpreted as
parts of the cycle about salvation
parts of the cycle about salvation
Pearl
Pearl
•
death of a young girl (the author’s daughter?)
death of a young girl (the author’s daughter?)
•
groups of 5 stanzas linked by a refrain – the
groups of 5 stanzas linked by a refrain – the
last line repeated in every stanza
last line repeated in every stanza
•
concantenation – the last word or phrase from
concantenation – the last word or phrase from
the last line repeated in the first line of the
the last line repeated in the first line of the
next stanza
next stanza
•
the last stanza repeats some words of the first
the last stanza repeats some words of the first
stanza
stanza
Pearl
Pearl
•
dream-vision
dream-vision
•
the narrator, tired with looking for his
the narrator, tired with looking for his
pearl, falls asleep and sees his
pearl, falls asleep and sees his
daughter, now a grown woman, in a
daughter, now a grown woman, in a
dress adorned with pearls
dress adorned with pearls
•
can young children achieve salvation?
can young children achieve salvation?
Purity
Purity
•
inspired by the Sermon on the
inspired by the Sermon on the
Mount: “Blessed are the pure in
Mount: “Blessed are the pure in
heart: for they shall see God” (Mt
heart: for they shall see God” (Mt
5:8)
5:8)
•
examples from the Bible: the Flood,
examples from the Bible: the Flood,
the destruction of Sodom and
the destruction of Sodom and
Belshazzar’s Feast
Belshazzar’s Feast
Patience
Patience
•
the story of prophet Jonah, who had
the story of prophet Jonah, who had
to be taught patience
to be taught patience
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight (late 14th c.)
Knight (late 14th c.)
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
•
in his quest Gawain arrives in a castle,
in his quest Gawain arrives in a castle,
where the host offers to play another
where the host offers to play another
game – the game of exchange
game – the game of exchange
•
“
“
his courtesy concerned him, lest crass
his courtesy concerned him, lest crass
he appear/But more his soul’s mischief,
he appear/But more his soul’s mischief,
should he commit sin” (ll. 1773 – 4).
should he commit sin” (ll. 1773 – 4).
•
“
“
courtesy” vs. “felaȝschyp”
courtesy” vs. “felaȝschyp”
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
•
Gawain gives his host respectively
Gawain gives his host respectively
one or two kisses and gets the
one or two kisses and gets the
animal in exchange
animal in exchange
•
But on the third day he gets a magic
But on the third day he gets a magic
belt from the lady and he hides this
belt from the lady and he hides this
fact
fact
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
•
The Green Knight takes two swipes
The Green Knight takes two swipes
but stops in time, the third time he
but stops in time, the third time he
gives Gawain a small cut on the neck
gives Gawain a small cut on the neck
•
Everything was the intrigue of
Everything was the intrigue of
Morgan de la Faye (masked as the
Morgan de la Faye (masked as the
old lady in the castle). Arthur’s half-
old lady in the castle). Arthur’s half-
sister and Merlin’s mistress
sister and Merlin’s mistress
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
•
Honi Suit Qui Mal Pense
Honi Suit Qui Mal Pense
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
siþen þe sege and þe assaut watz sesed at troye
siþen þe sege and þe assaut watz sesed at troye
þe bor3 brittened and brent to brondez and askez
þe bor3 brittened and brent to brondez and askez
þe tulk þat þe trammes of tresoun þer wro3t
þe tulk þat þe trammes of tresoun þer wro3t
watz tried for his tricherie þe trewest on erþe
watz tried for his tricherie þe trewest on erþe
hit watz ennias þe athel and his highe kynde
hit watz ennias þe athel and his highe kynde
þat siþen depreced prouinces and patrounes bicome
þat siþen depreced prouinces and patrounes bicome
welne3e of al þe wele in þe west iles
welne3e of al þe wele in þe west iles
fro riche romulus to rome ricchis hym swyþe
fro riche romulus to rome ricchis hym swyþe
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
with gret bobbaunce þat bur3e he biges vpon
with gret bobbaunce þat bur3e he biges vpon
fyrst
fyrst
and neuenes hit his aune nome as hit now hat
and neuenes hit his aune nome as hit now hat
ticius to tuskan and teldes bigynnes
ticius to tuskan and teldes bigynnes
langaberde in lumbardie lyftes vp homes
langaberde in lumbardie lyftes vp homes
and fer ouer þe french flod felix brutus
and fer ouer þe french flod felix brutus
on mony bonkkes ful brode bretayn he settez
on mony bonkkes ful brode bretayn he settez
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
wyth wynne ----------------------------------[bob]
wyth wynne ----------------------------------[bob]
where werre and wrake and wonder
where werre and wrake and wonder
bi syþez hatz wont þerinne
bi syþez hatz wont þerinne
and oft boþe blysse and blunder
and oft boþe blysse and blunder
ful skete hatz skyfted synne -----------
ful skete hatz skyfted synne -----------
[wheel]
[wheel]
Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight
Knight
[After the siege and the assault of Troy, when the city was
[After the siege and the assault of Troy, when the city was
burned to ashes, the knight who therein wrought treason
burned to ashes, the knight who therein wrought treason
was tried for his treachery and was found to be the truest
was tried for his treachery and was found to be the truest
on earth. Aeneas the noble it was, and his high kindred,
on earth. Aeneas the noble it was, and his high kindred,
who vanquished great nations and became the rulers of
who vanquished great nations and became the rulers of
well-nigh all the western world. Noble Romulus went to
well-nigh all the western world. Noble Romulus went to
Rome with great show of strength, and built that city at
Rome with great show of strength, and built that city at
the first, and gave it his own name, as it is called to this
the first, and gave it his own name, as it is called to this
day. Ticius went into Tuscany and began to set up
day. Ticius went into Tuscany and began to set up
habitations, and Langobard made his home in Lombardy;
habitations, and Langobard made his home in Lombardy;
whilst Brutus, far over the French sea by many a full broad
whilst Brutus, far over the French sea by many a full broad
hill-side, the fair land of Britain.
hill-side, the fair land of Britain.
Allegory
Allegory
•
A form of extended metaphor in which
A form of extended metaphor in which
objects, persons and actions are equated
objects, persons and actions are equated
with meanings that lie outside the narrative
with meanings that lie outside the narrative
itself
itself
•
religious inspiration - Creator can be
religious inspiration - Creator can be
perceived in each level of His creation
perceived in each level of His creation
•
4 readings of the Bible: literal, allegorical,
4 readings of the Bible: literal, allegorical,
moral and anagogical (St Thomas Aquinas)
moral and anagogical (St Thomas Aquinas)
William Langland (fl. 1360
William Langland (fl. 1360
- 1387)
- 1387)
•
The Vision of Piers Plowman
The Vision of Piers Plowman
•
version A – 2500 lines, 1369 – 1370
version A – 2500 lines, 1369 – 1370
•
version B c. 7500 lines, after 1379
version B c. 7500 lines, after 1379
•
version C. as long as B. completed
version C. as long as B. completed
before 1387
before 1387
The Vision of Piers
The Vision of Piers
Plowman
Plowman
long and complicated allegorical dream-
long and complicated allegorical dream-
vision, with the elements of social and
vision, with the elements of social and
political satire
political satire
•
Pilgrims on their way to St. Truth, meet
Pilgrims on their way to St. Truth, meet
Piers Plowman who promises to show
Piers Plowman who promises to show
them the way if they help him. But they
them the way if they help him. But they
are lazy and start working only when
are lazy and start working only when
Hunger makes them do so.
Hunger makes them do so.
The Vision of Piers
The Vision of Piers
Plowman
Plowman
•
How can one achieve salvation?
How can one achieve salvation?
•
mysterious episode with “the letter of pardon”
mysterious episode with “the letter of pardon”
which Piers tears in two.
which Piers tears in two.
•
“
“
for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." (2
for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." (2
Corinthians)
Corinthians)
•
possibly the influence of John Wycliffe
possibly the influence of John Wycliffe
•
Piers Plowman became a symbolical figure for the
Piers Plowman became a symbolical figure for the
Peasant’s revolt of 1381
Peasant’s revolt of 1381
The Vision of Piers
The Vision of Piers
Plowman
Plowman
•
Sir Gawain
Sir Gawain
exists only in 1
exists only in 1
manuscript,
manuscript,
Piers Plowman
Piers Plowman
in 50
in 50