arthurian legend: the romance vs. the epic the epic reflects the values of the heroic age of kings,...
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Arthurian Legend:Arthurian Legend:The Romance vs. The EpicThe Romance vs. The Epic
The Epic reflects the The Epic reflects the values of the Heroic values of the Heroic
Age of kings, warriors, Age of kings, warriors, and mead halls. The and mead halls. The Romance reflects the Romance reflects the values of the Age of values of the Age of
Chivalry represented in Chivalry represented in the legends of King the legends of King
Arthur.Arthur.
The Epic vs. The RomanceThe Epic vs. The Romance
EpicEpic Clear, realistic storyClear, realistic story Rank and social Rank and social
distinctions not distinctions not important/nonexistentimportant/nonexistent
LoveLove absent or a absent or a minor side detailminor side detail
FightingFighting motivated motivated and seriousand serious
RomanceRomance Mystery and fantasyMystery and fantasy Rank and social Rank and social
distinctions strongly distinctions strongly stressedstressed
LoveLove supreme focus supreme focus of a Romanceof a Romance
FightingFighting spontaneous spontaneous and very violentand very violent
The Epic vs. The RomanceThe Epic vs. The Romance
EpicEpic HeroHero sober, simple sober, simple
manman Group action (warriors)Group action (warriors)
Emphasis on glory and Emphasis on glory and transitions of lifetransitions of life
Tragic and serious Tragic and serious adventuresadventures
RomanceRomance HeroHero playful, witty, playful, witty,
and complicatedand complicated Hero is isolatedHero is isolated
individual questsindividual quests Emphasis on adventure Emphasis on adventure
and life to comeand life to come More light-hearted story More light-hearted story
lineline
Origin of the Romance…Origin of the Romance…
Apparently, old French epics and songs form Apparently, old French epics and songs form the end of the 11the end of the 11thth century. century.
The Romance gave expression The Romance gave expression to the most cherished…to the most cherished…
Religious idealsReligious idealsPolitical idealsPolitical idealsCourtly idealsCourtly ideals
English Romance:English Romance:
Striking Striking situations and situations and unusual plots--unusual plots--mysteriousmysterious
French Romance:French Romance:
Delicate Delicate sentiments and sentiments and precisely precisely analyzed plotsanalyzed plots
Arthurian RomanceArthurian Romance
Arthur really lived Arthur really lived during the 6during the 6thth century century
Led the Welsh forces Led the Welsh forces against the invading against the invading Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons
Became a legend Became a legend throughout Europe throughout Europe for this feat and later for this feat and later became the subject became the subject of English Romancesof English Romances