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English English LiteratureLiterature
The Anglo-Saxon &The Anglo-Saxon &
The Medieval PeriodThe Medieval Period(Old English and Middle English)(Old English and Middle English)
The Celts in BritainThe Celts in Britain
Before and during the 4th century B.C.• Britain home to several
Celtic tribes• Britain named for one
Celtic tribe—the Brythons
• The other tribe-the Gaels-settled in Ireland
• Farmers and hunters• Celtic religion a form of
animism• Druids were Celtic priests
Social StructureSocial Structure
Celtic tribesCeltic tribes– 20-30 tribes, each with a king20-30 tribes, each with a king– people worked on their familypeople worked on their family’’s farms farm– trained Druids were important in trained Druids were important in
religious lifereligious life– women could be soldiers and leaderswomen could be soldiers and leaders
• Queen Boadicea fought the RomansQueen Boadicea fought the Romans
Roman InvasionRoman Invasion
55 B.C. 55 B.C. • Julius Caesar invades BritainJulius Caesar invades Britain Latin is spoken Latin is spoken A.D. 43A.D. 43 Celts defeated by ClaudiusCelts defeated by Claudius Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads The Britons were absorbed into Roman societyThe Britons were absorbed into Roman societyA.D. 409A.D. 409 Romans evacuate their troopsRomans evacuate their troops Central government breaks downCentral government breaks down Britain left vulnerable to attackBritain left vulnerable to attack Often noted as the beginning of the Often noted as the beginning of the ““Dark AgesDark Ages””
Invasion from Northern Invasion from Northern GermanyGermany
Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons 449 AD-People 449 AD-People
from northern from northern Europe begin a Europe begin a series of invasionsseries of invasions
Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons (Angles and Saxons)(Angles and Saxons)
– bring Germanic bring Germanic languageslanguages
– Beginnings of Old Beginnings of Old English the first English the first language recognized language recognized as “English”as “English”
Woden--father of the gods
Anglo-Saxon SocietyAnglo-Saxon Society
Kinship groups led by strong warrior Kinship groups led by strong warrior chiefchief
People farmedPeople farmed Establishment of local governmentsEstablishment of local governments Fine craftwork producedFine craftwork produced English emerged as a written English emerged as a written
language (first time stories are language (first time stories are written down)written down)
Anglo-Saxon ReligionAnglo-Saxon Religion
Offered no hope of Offered no hope of an afterlifean afterlife
Valued earthly Valued earthly virtues of bravery, virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, loyalty, generosity, friendshipfriendship
Similar to Norse Similar to Norse mythologymythology
Odin=Woden from Odin=Woden from which we get which we get WednesdayWednesday
Anglo-Saxon BardsAnglo-Saxon Bards
Called scopsCalled scops Strummed harp as Strummed harp as
they sang songs they sang songs and stories of and stories of heroic deedsheroic deeds
Since A-S didn’t Since A-S didn’t believe in afterlife-believe in afterlife-warriors gained warriors gained immortality immortality through songsthrough songs
By 600, Anglo-By 600, Anglo-Saxons conquer the Saxons conquer the BritonsBritons– language becomes language becomes
more Germanicmore Germanic still retains some Latinstill retains some Latin
The Anglo-SaxonsThe Anglo-Saxons’’ two urgings--two urgings--war war and and wandering wandering become part of the become part of the oral traditionoral tradition– BeowulfBeowulf is an is an
example of an Anglo-example of an Anglo-Saxon hero taleSaxon hero tale
Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother
By 700, Christian By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to missionaries arrive to convert the pagansconvert the pagans
LatinLatin (the language of (the language of the Church) the Church) returnsreturns
800-900 AD Vikings 800-900 AD Vikings invadeinvade from Denmark from Denmark and Norwayand Norway
King Alfred-878 ADKing Alfred-878 AD-Organizes the Britons -Organizes the Britons
to counter attacks by to counter attacks by VikingsVikings
-Considered first true -Considered first true king of the Britonsking of the Britons
– period of prosperityperiod of prosperity– England becomes a England becomes a
nationnation
King Alfred brings an age of prosperity
End of Anglo-Saxon PeriodEnd of Anglo-Saxon Period
In In 10661066, the Normans (, the Normans (French speaking French speaking people from Normandy in Francepeople from Normandy in France), led ), led by by William the Conqueror,William the Conqueror, attack and attack and defeat the English at the defeat the English at the Battle of Battle of HastingsHastings -the 3rd language -the 3rd language
is introduced—is introduced—FrenchFrench-French culture -French culture and French and French literature arrivesliterature arrives
William, Duke of NormandyWilliam, Duke of Normandy
Defeats Anglo-SaxonsDefeats Anglo-Saxons Confiscates Anglo-Saxon landsConfiscates Anglo-Saxon lands Excludes Anglo-Saxon lords from courtExcludes Anglo-Saxon lords from court Introduces feudalism as a Introduces feudalism as a
social/economic system. social/economic system. Beginning of Beginning of ““middle Englishmiddle English”” a a
combination of Old English, Old combination of Old English, Old French, and LatinFrench, and Latin
Norman Conquest Marks Norman Conquest Marks Beginning of Medieval Beginning of Medieval
PeriodPeriod Medieval is an English word that is Medieval is an English word that is
based on the Latin based on the Latin ““medium aevummedium aevum”” which means which means ““middle agesmiddle ages””
The The ““middle agesmiddle ages”” is the middle period is the middle period of history (antiquity, middle ages, of history (antiquity, middle ages, modern times)modern times)
Generally covers the period between Generally covers the period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance. the fall of Rome and the Renaissance.
The “High” Middle Ages(begin 1095)
• Begin with the First Crusade (1095)--reclaim Jerusalem from the infidels– Open trade routes
– Peasants (the vassals) are liberated from their lords to fight, and die, in the Holy Lands
– Cities spring up along the crusade routes
– Feudalism dies out
– the transition to the Renaissance begins
The “High” Middle Ages
• Before, in the Dark Ages, the Church provided structure to society, not only with religion, but by providing education, as well.
• Sadly, with the Crusades, the Church becomes incredibly corrupt.– Popes fight for
political power– Greed is rampant
• selling of indulgences• Crusades for $• look for this in the Tales
The Magna Carta (1215)The Magna Carta (1215)
Some barons rebel against King JohnSome barons rebel against King John– High taxesHigh taxes– Costly warsCostly wars– Loss of propertyLoss of property
He was forced to sign The Magna He was forced to sign The Magna CartaCarta– Limited the power of the kingLimited the power of the king– Barons could overrule kingBarons could overrule king’’s rulingss rulings– Right to trialRight to trial
The Black Death-1348The Black Death-1348 Spreads along trade Spreads along trade
routesroutes Kills 1/3 to 1/2 of the Kills 1/3 to 1/2 of the
populationpopulation Plague outbreaks occur Plague outbreaks occur
through the Middle Ages through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissanceand into the Renaissance Paradoxically, the Plague provides Paradoxically, the Plague provides
for continued growth in citiesfor continued growth in cities– Afterwards, hundreds of new jobs Afterwards, hundreds of new jobs
availableavailable– Many debts Many debts ““died offdied off”” with creditors with creditors
also contributed to societyalso contributed to society’’s s cultureculture
PeasantPeasant’’s Revolt-1381s Revolt-1381
Black Death kills so many that workers are Black Death kills so many that workers are in demand, so lords agree to pay peasants in demand, so lords agree to pay peasants to workto work
Peasants afraid this will be taken away as Peasants afraid this will be taken away as more labor is availablemore labor is available
Wars were expensive and paid for by Wars were expensive and paid for by taxing peasantstaxing peasants
Captured the Tower of London, killed Captured the Tower of London, killed bishop of Canterbury and National bishop of Canterbury and National Treasurer before being dispursedTreasurer before being dispursed
Welcome to England and the Welcome to England and the English…English…
an island of an island of peoples, languagespeoples, languages, and , and divisions...divisions...
LatinLatin -- church, schools -- church, schoolsFrenchFrench -- court, castle -- court, castleEnglishEnglish -- commoners -- commoners
The White Tower in London…
part of William’s legacyChartres Cathedral
What was it like to live What was it like to live in the Middle Ages?in the Middle Ages?
Some Overarching Principles that Governed Medieval LifeSome Overarching Principles that Governed Medieval Life
The Great Chain of BeingThe Great Chain of Being Name given to the Name given to the
ancient belief in the ancient belief in the unchangeable order of unchangeable order of the universe from the the universe from the highest spiritual beings highest spiritual beings (God) to the lowest (God) to the lowest inanimate objects (dirt)inanimate objects (dirt)
Supported the belief Supported the belief that people were born that people were born into their place (estate) into their place (estate) and were meant to stay and were meant to stay there by Godthere by God’’s will. s will.
The Three Estates in the Middle AgesThe Three Estates in the Middle Ages
Estates viewed as the Estates viewed as the natural order of natural order of society:society:– ClergyClergy
Latin chiefly spoken, Latin chiefly spoken, those those who praywho pray, purpose was to , purpose was to save everyonesave everyone’’s souls soul
– NoblesNobles French chiefly spoken, French chiefly spoken,
those who fight, those who fight, purposepurpose was to protect—allow for was to protect—allow for all to work in peace—and all to work in peace—and provide justiceprovide justice
– CommonersCommoners English spoken, English spoken, those who those who
workwork, purpose was to feed , purpose was to feed and clothe all above themand clothe all above them
FeudalismFeudalism The economic system of much The economic system of much
of the Middle Ages of the Middle Ages Feudalism created ties of Feudalism created ties of
obedience and loyalty between obedience and loyalty between the peasants and their lord.the peasants and their lord.
Peasants lived on a feudal Peasants lived on a feudal manor. The lord of the manor manor. The lord of the manor gave his peasants land to gave his peasants land to farm. farm.
Peasants were taxed and had Peasants were taxed and had to surrender a portion of their to surrender a portion of their crops to the lordcrops to the lord..
In return, peasants received In return, peasants received protection from roving bandits. protection from roving bandits.
A peasant renews his oath of loyalty to his lord.
Chivalry Chivalry A product of feudalism, A product of feudalism,
chivalry was an chivalry was an idealized system of idealized system of manners and moralsmanners and morals– Restricted to nobilityRestricted to nobility
Medieval knight was Medieval knight was bound to the code of bound to the code of chivalry to be loyal to…chivalry to be loyal to…– GodGod– his lordhis lord– his ladyhis lady
Ideals of Chivalry Ideals of Chivalry include...include...– kindnesskindness– brotherly lovebrotherly love– politenesspoliteness
Sir GawainSir Gawain is an example is an example
The Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church
Provided guidance through Provided guidance through well known precepts..well known precepts..
Seven Deadly SinsSeven Deadly SinsPridePride GluttonyGluttony
GreedGreed SlothSloth
WrathWrath LustLust
EnvyEnvy
Seven VirtuesSeven VirtuesPrudencePrudence FaithFaith
TemperanceTemperance HopeHope
JusticeJustice LoveLove
CourageCourage
The Wheel of FortuneThe Wheel of Fortune
The idea of Fortune spinning The idea of Fortune spinning her wheel was one of the her wheel was one of the most pervasive ideas most pervasive ideas throughout the Middle throughout the Middle Ages. Ages.
On the wheel are depicted On the wheel are depicted four figures:four figures:
-one on the left (I shall reign)-one on the left (I shall reign)
-one on top (I reign)-one on top (I reign)
-one on the right (I have -one on the right (I have reigned)reigned)
-one on the bottom (I am -one on the bottom (I am without a kingdom)without a kingdom)
It served to remind people of the temporality of earthly things.
The Wheel helps us understandthe medieval mind, and it canhelp remind us that the importantthings in life come from within,that hard work has its own merits.An award, an office, a title—theseare not the things that make for greatness.
the Ptolemaic the Ptolemaic
UniverseUniverse
Imagine a sphere that encloses Imagine a sphere that encloses another that holds another that another that holds another that holds yet anotherholds yet another……and and continues into heaven…continues into heaven…
It is a commonly held myth It is a commonly held myth that people of the Medieval that people of the Medieval period thought the Earth was period thought the Earth was flat…FALSE!flat…FALSE!
– It was round, but at the center of It was round, but at the center of the universe!the universe!
So what! Well, the So what! Well, the people of the Medieval people of the Medieval period period lovedloved order! order! Remember the Three Remember the Three Estates, the Seven Estates, the Seven Deadly Sins—a place for Deadly Sins—a place for everyone and everyone everyone and everyone in that place.in that place.
Enough Enough already!already!
I thought this was an I thought this was an EnglishEnglish class!class!
Literature During Literature During the Medieval the Medieval
PeriodPeriod
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
Latin was the language of the Roman Latin was the language of the Roman Catholic Church, so, Latin was a Catholic Church, so, Latin was a common language for Medieval common language for Medieval writings. writings.
Much of literature is anonymous-old Much of literature is anonymous-old stories retoldstories retold
Use of ALLEGORY: a device in which Use of ALLEGORY: a device in which characters or events symbolize ideas characters or events symbolize ideas and conceptsand concepts (The Lord of the Rings is an allegory for the World Wars)
Characteristics of Medieval Characteristics of Medieval LiteratureLiterature
HeroismHeroism– from both Germanic and Christian from both Germanic and Christian
traditions, sometimes mingledtraditions, sometimes mingled BeowulfBeowulf Sir Gawain and the Green KnightSir Gawain and the Green Knight
Presentations of idealized behaviorPresentations of idealized behavior– literature as moral lessonliterature as moral lesson
loyalty to kingloyalty to king ChivalryChivalry
Courtly LoveCourtly Love
The Ideal of Courtly LoveThe Ideal of Courtly Love
relationship was modeled on the relationship was modeled on the feudal relationship loyalty of a feudal relationship loyalty of a knight to his liege lord. knight to his liege lord.
knight serves his courtly lady with knight serves his courtly lady with the same obedience and loyalty the same obedience and loyalty which he owes to his liege lord. which he owes to his liege lord.
She is in complete control; he She is in complete control; he owes her obedience and owes her obedience and submissionsubmission
The knight's love for the lady The knight's love for the lady inspires him to do great deedsinspires him to do great deeds, in , in
order to be worthy of her love or to order to be worthy of her love or to win her favor. win her favor.
““Courtly love" Courtly love" was not between husband and was not between husband and wifewife because it was an idealized sort of because it was an idealized sort of relationship that could not exist within the relationship that could not exist within the context of "real life" medieval marriages.context of "real life" medieval marriages.
In the middle ages, marriages amongst the In the middle ages, marriages amongst the nobility were typically based on practical nobility were typically based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than on love.and dynastic concerns rather than on love.
““Courtly love" provided a model Courtly love" provided a model of behavior for a class of of behavior for a class of unmarried young men who might unmarried young men who might otherwise have threatened social otherwise have threatened social stability.stability.
Knights were typically younger Knights were typically younger brothers without land of their brothers without land of their own (hence unable to support a own (hence unable to support a wife).wife).
They became members of the They became members of the household of the feudal lords household of the feudal lords whom they served. whom they served.
The lady is typically older, married, and The lady is typically older, married, and of higher social status than the of higher social status than the
knight because she was modeled on knight because she was modeled on the wife of the feudal lord, who might the wife of the feudal lord, who might
naturally become the focus of the naturally become the focus of the young, unmarried knights' desire.young, unmarried knights' desire.
The literary model of courtly The literary model of courtly love may have been invented to love may have been invented to
provide young men with a provide young men with a model for appropriate model for appropriate
behavior.behavior. It taught them to sublimate It taught them to sublimate their desires and to channel their desires and to channel
their energy into socially their energy into socially useful behavior (love service useful behavior (love service
rather than wandering around rather than wandering around the countryside, stealing or the countryside, stealing or
raping women.raping women.
The "symptoms" of love were The "symptoms" of love were described as as if it were a sickness. described as as if it were a sickness.
The "lovesick" knightThe "lovesick" knight’’s typical s typical symptoms: sighing, turning pale, symptoms: sighing, turning pale,
turning red, fever, inability to turning red, fever, inability to sleep, eat or drink.sleep, eat or drink.
The QuestThe Quest
The Quest was highly important:The Quest was highly important: the code of conduct observed by a the code of conduct observed by a
knight errant who is wandering in knight errant who is wandering in search of deeds of chivalry. This search of deeds of chivalry. This knight is bound by a code of behavior knight is bound by a code of behavior - a set of conventional principles and - a set of conventional principles and expectationsexpectations
A A questquest is a hero is a hero’’s journey s journey towards a goal. The objects of towards a goal. The objects of quests require great exertion on quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and the the part of the hero, and the overcoming of many obstacles.overcoming of many obstacles.
The hero's must obtain something, The hero's must obtain something, or someone, by the quest and with or someone, by the quest and with this object return home.this object return home.
Usually, an inner and outer problem for Usually, an inner and outer problem for the character is set.the character is set.
The hero is introduced; audience The hero is introduced; audience identifies with them identifies with them
The hero lacks something, has a tragic The hero lacks something, has a tragic flaw, or a deep wound flaw, or a deep wound
The call often produces disorientation The call often produces disorientation and discomfort for the hero and discomfort for the hero
The call is often in the form of a dire The call is often in the form of a dire warning warning
Excuses are used to avoid the call Excuses are used to avoid the call This hesitation illustrates the This hesitation illustrates the
formidability of the challenge ahead formidability of the challenge ahead Resistance creates change and Resistance creates change and
strength, allowing the hero to grow strength, allowing the hero to grow A physical or metaphorical crossing is A physical or metaphorical crossing is
mademade The crossing is an irrevocable leap of The crossing is an irrevocable leap of
faith, from which therefaith, from which there’’s no turning back s no turning back
The hero faces his greatest fearThe hero faces his greatest fear The hero The hero ““dies,dies,”” so he can be reborn so he can be reborn The hero gains new perception The hero gains new perception This new perception may create a This new perception may create a
moment of claritymoment of clarity The moment may be of great self-The moment may be of great self-
realization for the hero realization for the hero It may also be an epiphany for the It may also be an epiphany for the
herohero’’s companions s companions
The HeroThe Hero
Is often of divine descent endowed Is often of divine descent endowed with great strength and ability" with great strength and ability"
or "a man admired for his or "a man admired for his achievements and noble achievements and noble
qualities" qualities"
Characteristics of Medieval Characteristics of Medieval LiteratureLiterature
RomanceRomance– Sir Gawain and the Green KnightSir Gawain and the Green Knight– A narrative in prose or verse that tells of the A narrative in prose or verse that tells of the
adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroesheroes exploits of knightsexploits of knights often a supernatural element involvedoften a supernatural element involved
Christian messageChristian message– concern with salvation and the world to comeconcern with salvation and the world to come– no interest in social changeno interest in social change
until the late 14th centuryuntil the late 14th century Chaucer signals new thinking, up-ending social Chaucer signals new thinking, up-ending social
orderorder