The Medieval The Medieval PeriodPeriod

““Middle Ages”Middle Ages”

1066 (Battle of Hastings)-1066 (Battle of Hastings)-1485 (Battle of Bosworth)1485 (Battle of Bosworth)

1066—William, Duke of 1066—William, Duke of Normandy, conquered Normandy, conquered

EnglandEnglandFEUDALISMFEUDALISM-c-class system lass system where wealth and status where wealth and status were based on landwere based on land

KINGS-KINGS-Barons-Barons-knights---------knights---------serfsserfs (conquered Anglo- (conquered Anglo-Saxons)Saxons)

1215-1215-MagnaMagna CartaCarta

Limited royal authority Limited royal authority

Growth of power=growth of Growth of power=growth of TRADETRADE

Growth of towns=decline of Growth of towns=decline of feudalismfeudalism

Population growth=Population growth=Black Black PlaguePlague

Hundred Years WarHundred Years War1337-1337-France France vs. vs. EnglandEngland

Ended in 1485 (Battle of Ended in 1485 (Battle of Bosworth)Bosworth)

This marked the end of This marked the end of the Middle Agesthe Middle Ages

LanguageLanguage3 languages spoken during 3 languages spoken during Middle Ages:Middle Ages:

FrenchFrench (Norman rulers) (Norman rulers)

LatinLatin (clergy) (clergy)

Evolving English Evolving English (commoners)-known as (commoners)-known as Middle EnglishMiddle English

Medieval LiteratureMedieval LiteratureRomanceRomance=an imaginative tale of =an imaginative tale of adventureadventure

KnightsKnightsIdealizedIdealized heroes heroesLoveLoveFaraway settings and Faraway settings and elements of elements of fantasyfantasy (castles, (castles, magic spells)magic spells)EscapismEscapism

Code of ChivalryCode of Chivalry

Set of rules for gentlemanly Set of rules for gentlemanly and heroic behaviorand heroic behavior

FaithFaith, modesty, , modesty, loyaltyloyalty, , courtesy, courtesy, braverybravery, honor, honor

Protection of Protection of ladiesladies

Holy quests (Crusades)Holy quests (Crusades)

Literary Elements and Literary Elements and Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

Alliteration Alliteration

Bob and Wheel Bob and Wheel

SimileSimile

HyperboleHyperbole

ImageryImagery

SymbolismSymbolism

ThemeTheme

SimileSimile

A comparison of two unlike things in which A comparison of two unlike things in which a word of comparison (like or as) is used a word of comparison (like or as) is used (e.g., The ant scurried as fast as a (e.g., The ant scurried as fast as a cheetah.)cheetah.)

Examples:Examples: from SGGK pgs. 210, 213, 216from SGGK pgs. 210, 213, 216 Also review pg. 216 lines 198-200 and pg. Also review pg. 216 lines 198-200 and pg.

220 lines 354-357220 lines 354-357

AlliterationAlliteration

The repetition of initial sounds in The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words.  neighboring words.  (Remember back to (Remember back to BeowulfBeowulf))

REVIVAL! Review study guideREVIVAL! Review study guide(blue handout) (blue handout)

letter Dletter D

Examples: from SGGK pgs. 210, 213,215Examples: from SGGK pgs. 210, 213,215

Bob and WheelBob and Wheel

Associated with alliterative poetry like Associated with alliterative poetry like SGGKSGGK

5 lines rhyming ABABA pattern5 lines rhyming ABABA pattern

The “bob” serves as a bridge between the The “bob” serves as a bridge between the alliteration and the rhyming patternalliteration and the rhyming pattern

The “bob” is the first line of the rhyming The “bob” is the first line of the rhyming lines (2-3 syllables long)lines (2-3 syllables long)

The “wheel” is the quatrain (4 lines long)The “wheel” is the quatrain (4 lines long)

Bob and WheelBob and Wheel

Hyperbole and Imagery Hyperbole and Imagery

Hyperbole: An exaggeration or Hyperbole: An exaggeration or overstatement (e.g., I had to wait overstatement (e.g., I had to wait forever.)  forever.)   Examples: from SGGK pg. 210, 220Examples: from SGGK pg. 210, 220

Imagery: Descriptive or figurative Imagery: Descriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions. language to create sensory impressions.  Examples: from SGGK pg. 213,215,216  Examples: from SGGK pg. 213,215,216  

Color SymbolismColor Symbolism(natural and liturgical):(natural and liturgical):

A device in literature where an object A device in literature where an object represents an idea.represents an idea.

greengreen and and goldgold: Green Knight (wild nature, : Green Knight (wild nature, Celtic otherworld + nobility), lace and Celtic otherworld + nobility), lace and girdle girdle

redred and and goldgold: Gawain (love, service + : Gawain (love, service + nobility)nobility)

blueblue: Mary, Gawain's chamber robe : Mary, Gawain's chamber robe (loyalty, truth, honor, chastity)(loyalty, truth, honor, chastity)

ThemeThemeA topic of discussion or work; a major idea broad enough to A topic of discussion or work; a major idea broad enough to cover the entire scope of a literary work. A theme may be cover the entire scope of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Clues to the theme may be found in the stated or implied. Clues to the theme may be found in the prominent and/or reoccurring ideas in a work.prominent and/or reoccurring ideas in a work.

Very Christian text within a very pagan story Very Christian text within a very pagan story line (examples see study guide section IV)line (examples see study guide section IV)

Civilized and uncivilized behavior demonstrated Civilized and uncivilized behavior demonstrated by the Green Knight and even by Gawain.by the Green Knight and even by Gawain.

Arthurian tale with little warfare; battle is individual and Arthurian tale with little warfare; battle is individual and secretive. The real test of Sir Gawain takes place in the secretive. The real test of Sir Gawain takes place in the bedroom and not on the battlefield.bedroom and not on the battlefield.

Gawain beats the Green Knight but falls victim to the Lady, Gawain beats the Green Knight but falls victim to the Lady, who manages to make him break his loyalty.who manages to make him break his loyalty. In the encounter the knight's and lady's roles are reversed: In the encounter the knight's and lady's roles are reversed:

she's the aggressor, he the fortress. she's the aggressor, he the fortress. Chivalric behavior proves to be a double-edged sword for Chivalric behavior proves to be a double-edged sword for

the shield used by Gawain and the lady.the shield used by Gawain and the lady.

The ideal/flawed Arthurian society reflected in its ideal/flawed The ideal/flawed Arthurian society reflected in its ideal/flawed knight.knight.

The results: comic (court's judgment), tragic (Gawain's The results: comic (court's judgment), tragic (Gawain's judgment), mixed (ours?): noble striving, noble failurejudgment), mixed (ours?): noble striving, noble failure..