MID - The Medieval Romance in the Middle Ages Lesson
The Medieval Romance in The Middle Ages
Recall that the Medieval Romance, also known as the Chivalric Romance, is a type of poetry or prose that reveals a fantastic adventure story of a knight with heroic qualities who goes on a quest. Many Medieval Romances center around King Arthur, who held court at the mythical Camelot during the Middles Ages around the 5th Century AD.
Knights in the Middle Ages normally lived by the rules of chivalry and courtly love; they maintained motivation by their sincere affection and for an ideal woman. Many Medieval Romances contain damsels in distress, dragons, and other difficulties that help develop the themes of chivalry and courtly love discussed in the first lesson of the Middle Ages Module.
Characteristics of the Medieval Romance
- Presence of knights with heroic
qualities - An imaginative, fairytale setting
- Supernatural ele ments
- Assignment of a quest
- Women held in high regard
- Themes of chivalry and courtly love
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Written in both verse and prose, the author of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight remains mostly a mystery; however, scholars do believe that a poet known as the "Pearl" wrote the text in the late fourteenth century and incorporated alliteration and rhyme throughout.
The Green Knight appears in other tales from the Middle Ages, as well, and his character remains difficult to interpret and analyze. Some readers sometimes interpret The Green Knight as God, which creates the allegorical connection to the tale.
Regardless, through the characters of King Arthur, Lady Bertilak, Sir Gawain, and The Green Knight, the author weaves a tale that some scholars consider allegorical, but all scholars consider representative of the courtly love and the code of chivalry that guided knights during the Middle Ages.
Students will have the option of reading either the verse form of the text or the prose form of the text. When reading, make sure to notice the Medieval Romance elements and themes that appear throughout the text.
Read both the poetry and prose versions of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight.
Sir Gawain and The Green Knight Poetry Links to an external site.
Sir Gawain and The Green Knight Prose Links to an external site.
Sir Gawain and The Green Knight Self-Assessment
Now that you have read the story, practice your understanding with the self-assessment below.
L'Morte d'Arthur 
Le Morte d'Arthur, written by Sir Thomas Malory, is a compilation of tales about the legendary King Arthur. Malory finished Le Morte d'Arthur in jail where he spent many years for many crimes. He composed eight books and more than five hundred chapters. He finished Le Morte d'Arthur in 1470, near the end of the Middle Ages. William Caxton, who is credited with bringing the printing press to England, edited Malory's work rather extensively. He arranged the text in twenty-one books—each detailing stories surrounding King Arthur.
King Arthur, a well-known figure from several past and present works of literature, was the leader of the legendary and mythical Camelot; he was also the head of the Knights of the Round Table. Stories surrounding King Arthur include his wife, Guinevere, the wizard Merlin, and the sword Excalibur. The various stories encompass the expectations of knights during the Middle Ages regarding courtly love and the code of chivalry.
The background of Le Morte d'Arthur remains important for acquiring insight regarding the text.
Then, read Books I, XVI, and XXI in order to gain a well-rounded understanding of King Arthur and his experiences. When reading, make sure to notice the Medieval Romance elements and themes that appear throughout the text.
Book 1
Book I, The Prologues, reveals the events leading up to the birth of King Arthur. The Prologues also detail the birth of Arthur, how Sir Ector raises him, and how he draws the sword from the stone. Finally, the coronation, the various battles, and the receipt of Excalibur appear in Book I.
Book XVI
Book XVI provides an allegory of a dream for the pursuit of the Holy Grail that King Arthur has when sleeping. The quest for the Holy Grail is a main focus of Le Morte d'Arthur, and Book XVI gives readers much characterization regarding King Arthur.
Book XXI
Book XXI is the final book and provides the meaning of the title. Le Morte d'Arthur is French for "The Death of Arthur." Read chapters I-VII of Book XXI.
Read the required portions of Le Morte d'Arthur. Links to an external site.
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