medieval romance. medieval romance basic narrative pattern a quest, in which the hero undertakes a...
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Medieval
Romance
Medieval RomanceBasic 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 ConductCountrymen
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 ChivalryThe 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