Medieval Romance

• The term “romance” comes from “Romance languages,” meaning those languages derived from Latin (French, Italian, Spanish)

• Many of the first romances were written in those languages

• Examples: – Le Morte d’Arthur (The Death of King Arthur)– Le Roman du Rose (The Romance of the

Rose)– Tristan and Isolde– Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

CHARACTERISTICS

• A highly artificial and stylized genre• Characters are lords and ladies• Love and chivalry– somewhat contradictory

themes• Magic and enchantment, religious mysticism• Lots of fighting, gore, pageantry• Quests• The Knight as a central character

The Knight

• A WARRIOR, CHRISTIAN and LOVER

• Possesses good manners, delicacy, protocol

• Has deference and passion (both!) for ladies

• Has skills as a poet, musician, writer, speaker and dancer

The beginning of "The Knight's Tale" illuminated manuscript, Huntington Library, California

13th century illuminated manuscript: Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre

"The Rescue of Guinevere" by William Hatherell (1855-1920)

The Romance and Love

• The Romance tells of ideal, not realistic love

• Love is so passionate as to cause fever and illness

• Love is usually outside of marriage

• Adultery is almost always inevitable, but has tragic consequences

The Knight and Lady

• The Knight dedicates himself to the glorification of his Lady, either in secret or openly

• He wears her colors to tournaments, devotes his trophies to her

• All of his acts of heroism and valor are in her honor

• The Lady is generally demanding, sometimes cruel, but always beautiful, intelligent and spirited.

“Lancelot and Guinevere‘s First Kiss,” Manuscript illustration, c 1400.

Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Works Cited and Consulted• Hatherell, William. “The Rescue of Guinevere.” Oil on canvas, 1910. Rpt.

“Arthurian Legends Illustrated.” Kathleen Nichols. Pittsburg State U., 2003. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www2.pittstate.edu/engl/nichols/arthur2.html>.

• “The Knight’s Tale.” Ellesmere Manuscript, ca. 1400. Illuminated manuscript. San Marino, CA.: The Huntington Library. Rpt. “The Knight’s Tale in Images.” Luminarium.1997-2006. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/knightimg.htm>.

• “Lancelot and Guinevere’s First Kiss.” Unknown artist. Manuscript illustration, c. 1400. Paris: Bibliotheque Nationale. Rpt. “Lancelot du Lac.” Timeless Myths. 1999. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/lancelot.html#Kiss>.

• “Lancelot du lac fait porter un échiquier magique à la Reine Guenièvre.” Unknown artist. Late 13th C. Rpt. “Tableaux ayant pour sujet les échecs.” 21 Sept. 2008. <http://www.jmrw.com/Chess/Tableau_echecs/pages/112.htm>.

• Leighton, Edmund Blair. “The Accolade.” 1901. Rpt. CGFA. 21 Sept. 2008. <http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/l/l-5.htm#eleighton>.

• Love, D. “‘Al this Peynted Process': Chaucer and the Psychology of Courtly Love.” English Studies. 83.5 (Nov. 2002), 391-398.