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The Norman ConquestLed by William, Duke of
Normandy, the Normans (from France) invaded in the year 1066. The King of England was killed in the Battle of Hastings, and William emerged victorious.
During the next several centuries, the Old English language and culture merged with Old French. They continued to be two separate languages, but many French words and customs were incorporated into the English way of life.
O. E. + O. Fr.
Middle English
Other Influences: Language/Learning
1454 Johann Gutenberg – the printing press 1476 William Caxton – the first English printing press
Result: literature no longer needed to be hand-copied by church scribes.
Literature of the Late Middle Ages
Latin a common language for Medieval writings
Much of literature is anonymous-old stories retold
Use of ALLEGORY where characters or events symbolize concepts
First true dramas emerged
Romances portrayed the heroic deeds of knights
Ballads-songs of love and deeds of outlaws
Literature of the Late Middle Ages
Courtly LoveCourtly Love relationship modeled on feudal loyalty of a knight to his relationship modeled on feudal loyalty of a knight to his
lordlord knight serves his courtly lady with the same obedience knight serves his courtly lady with the same obedience
and loyalty which he owes to his lordand loyalty which he owes to his lord was not between husband and wife because it was an was not between husband and wife because it was an
“idealized” relationship that could not exist within the “idealized” relationship that could not exist within the context of "real life" medieval marriages typically context of "real life" medieval marriages typically based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than on loveon love
knight's love for his lady inspires him to do great deedsknight's love for his lady inspires him to do great deeds
Literature of the Late Middle Ages
Knights were typically Knights were typically younger brothers younger brothers without land of their without land of their own (hence unable to own (hence unable to support a wife).support a wife).
““Courtly love" provided Courtly love" provided a model of behavior for a model of behavior for a class of unmarried a class of unmarried young men who might young men who might otherwise have otherwise have threatened social threatened social stability.stability.
Medieval Drama church sponsored plays
as part of religious services
plays gradually moved into the marketplace
miracle plays - retold stories from the Bible / lives of saints
morality plays – depicted lives of ordinary people and taught moral lessons
Romances, Lyrics, and Ballads
Medieval romances tales describing the adventures of
knights many about the Arthurian legendLyrical poetry poets often strummed lyres (a
harplike instrument) as they recited their verse
led to lyrical poetryBallads folk song that tells a story many were about the hero Robin
Hood
Geoffrey Chaucer Born in London 1343-1400 Author, poet, bureaucrat,
courtier, diplomat. Satirist Thought by many to be the
“Father of English Poetry” Buried in Westminster
Abbey
The Poet’s Corner
The Poets Corner of Westminster Abbey was established around the tomb of Chaucer. It is also the resting place for other British literary greats such as William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.
Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
written in Middle English frame story – a story w/in
a story shows a cross section of
medieval society, from the nobility all the way down to the lower class
knew that his job as a scop, was to entertain and to deliver the news from one town to another.
Whan that aprill with his shoures sooteThe droghte of march hath perced to the roote,And bathed every veyne in swich licourOf which vertu engendred is the flour;Whan zephirus eek with his sweete breethInspired hath in every holt and heethTendre croppes, and the yonge sonneHath in the ram his halve cours yronne,And smale foweles maken melodye,That slepen al the nyght with open ye (so priketh hem nature in hir corages);Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages,
Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales Adapted characters from people he
encountered in his life. Chaucer puts himself in the story as a
pilgrim, so he could be the eyes for his readers.
Wrote in Rhyme Royal: 5-stress line Meter similar to iambic pentameter Rhyming couplets
WHO?29 pilgrims plus Geoffrey Chaucer (Narrator) and the Host
(31 total)Cross-section of Medieval Society
Ruling ClassKnight , Squire
Clergy ClassNun, Monk, Friar, Parson, Summoner, Pardoner
Middle ClassMerchant, Reeve, Franklin, Doctor, Oxford Student (Clerk), Wife of Bath, Sergeant-at-law
Trade ClassHaberdasher, Dyer,
Carpenter, Weaver, Carpet-maker, Cook, Manciple
Peasant Class Miller, Plowman, Skipper, Yeoman,
Host
WHAT? WHERE? WHY?All Inclusive Spring Tour originating at The Tabard Inn in London .Concluding at The Canterbury Cathedral in the city of Canterbury (40 miles away)Purpose: Pilgrimage to the cathedral to pay homage to the holy martyr St. Thomas Becket at his shrine.Entertainment: each guest will tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two tales on the way back The winner will get a fine meal provided by Host, Harry Baily, manager of the Tabard Inn.
wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons english2eso.files.wordpress.com
evergreen.loyola.edu
Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales planned as an exchange of tales among pilgrims
journeying to the shrine of martyr Thomas Becket at Canterbury, England
30 pilgrims tell 2 stories each down from London to Canterbury and 2 stories on the return trip = 60 stories down + 60 on the return = 120 stories
Chaucer only wrote the Prologue (the frame) and 24 tales, but it is considered a complete work
Chaucer’s The Canterbury TalesThe tales are divided into different
types (genres) of stories: romances – tales of chivalry /
courtly love fabliaux - short, bawdy,
humorous stories sermons – stories of saints fables – a story that uses
talking animals & teaches a moral or lesson
Each pilgrim tells a type of tale consistent with his / her own character (for example, the Knight tells a romance, etc).