Medieval Romance

Medieval Romance Basic Narrative Pattern A quest, in which the hero undertakes a dangerous journey in search of something of value

Reflection of Society  System both of government and of landownership. Give oath of loyalty, receive land.  Nobleman ruled land, judged legal cases, imposed taxes, and maintained an army

Elements of Romance Unusual or exotic setting A near perfect hero A test of the hero Brave knights An evil enemy Battles, quests, contests, tests Magical or supernatural elements & events

Elements of Romance Good vs. Evil Female figures who are usually maidens (beautiful & in need of rescue), mothers, or crones High-born figures, such as kings or queens Themes of love, loyalty, faith, courage in a blend of realism and fantasy

Ideals of Knightly Conduct Countrymen God Women

Code of Chivalry Loyalty  Maintain commitment to the people and ideals you choose to live by. Never compromise. Defend the lives of others  Stay true to the oath to defend the liege lord, and your fellow Christians

Code of Chivalry Prowess  Seek excellence in all endeavors. Use strength for justice – not for personal gain.  Seek always the path of “right,” or unencumbered by bias or personal interest, no matter what the cost.

Code of Chivalry Humility  Do not boast of your own accomplishments; let others do this for you. Honor others before yourself. Courage  Be ready to follow the most difficult paths. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of others.

Code of Chivalry Faith  Have faith in your beliefs, for faith roots you and gives hope against the despair created by human failings Generosity  Be generous as much as your resources allow; generosity in this way counters gluttony. Nobility  Hold to the virtues and duties of a knight, realizing the ideals cannot be reached.

Code of Chivalry The Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry I. Believe all that the Church teaches, and observe all its directions. II. Defend the Church. III. Respect all weaknesses, and constitute thyself defender of them. IV. Love the country in which you were born. V. Do not recoil before your enemy. VI. Make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. VII. Perform scrupulously your feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. VIII. Never lie, and remain faithful to your pledged word. IX. Be generous, and give largess to everyone. X. Be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil. From Chivalry by Leon Gautier

Chivalry – Attitude towards Women Courtly love... From The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus  A noble-born woman is the ideal of virtue and should be honored and protected  A knight must serve his lady and all other ladies after her.  He must always demonstrate gentleness and good manners to all women

May be based in fact Feature these elements:  Heroic figures and memorable deeds  Quests, contests, or tests  Patterned events (for instance, events repeated three times) Included:  Detailed descriptions  Plot twists  Sophisticated characterization

King Arthur Was King Arthur real?  No one knows, but his name has popped up since the sixth century, and by the ninth century, he was a folk hero.

Morte d’Arthur Written by Sir Thomas Mallory First English prose version of King Arthur’s life. Romance & medieval legend King Arthur battles his illegitimate son, Mordred, loses his knights and dies himself Values  Chivalry, bravery, loyalty, warfare, honor, conquests, heroism Themes  Love, loyalty, betrayal

Morte d’Arthur Background Rumor has it that the good knight Lancelot had an affair with Queen Guinevere At the insistence of his nephew Gawain, Arthur and his men travel to France to confront Lancelot King Arthur’s loves Lancelot and has trouble punishing him He learns that his illegitimate son, Mordred, has captured England King Arthur and the men return to England where nephew Gawain is killed in the initial confrontation with Mordred’s army