Medieval Period “The Middle Ages” 1066-1485 - The history of our English Language can be divided into 3 periods:
- Old English (before 1066)
- Middle English (1066-1485)
- Modern English (1485-present)
-
Around the year 1000, Old English pronunciation changed when distinct vowel sounds at the ends of words were being dropped. - Language in Transition “Middle Ages”
- Around the year 1000, Old English pronunciation changed when distinct vowel sounds at the ends of words were being dropped.
- Middle English differed from Old English in its greater reliance upon fewer plural forms.
Middle English was a more analytical language. - Language in Transition “Middle Ages”
- Middle English was a more analytical language.
- Stressed word order/syntax
- Incorporated “function” words—verbs
French Invade England October of 1066 Norman Conquest - The Norman Conquest radically changed:
- English History
- English Character
- English Language
-
William the Conqueror is known for three accomplishments: - Creating the Domesday Book which was an inventory of every piece of property in England.
- Bringing the French language to England
- Creating a bilingual society
- Upper-Class: spoke French
- Lower-Class: spoke English
- 3. Social System known as Feudalism
Feudalism & Knighthood - Feudalism
- Religious concept of hierarchy.
2 Major impacts on England as a result of the Feudal System: Form and Manners - Form—better known as knighthood.
- The institution of knighthood was firmly
- based on the ideas of loyalty.
- We will see this clearly in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
- He is honor-bound to accept a challenge that he knows
- could bring death.
2nd major impact that the feudal system had on England: - Manners
- Code of Chivalry—Courtly Love
- A system of ideas and behavior codes that governed both knight
- and gentlewoman.
-
Three aspects that make up the Code of Chivalry - Loyalty to Lord
- Your oath, honor, and respect went directly to your lord.
- Warfare Rule
- Idea of Fairness
- Courtly Love
- Men--mostly the knights-- idolized women. They would show this by wearing the colors of their lady in battle, to glorify her. This love for a woman was thought to make the knight a better fighter. They were inspired by women.
ROMANCE - Courtly Love provided ‘built-in’ drama for a poet or storyteller.
- It brought about the form of literature known as a ROMANCE: a medieval story in verse form in which a brave knight must overcome great danger for the love of a noble lady or higher idea.
- Composed around 1370
- An unknown author transformed the popular romance into great art.
- An alliterative romance poem. (Legend)
- Basic narrative pattern of a romance:
- Hero
- 2. Quest—in which the hero undertakes a perilous journey in search of something of great value.
- 3. Supernatural event
- In Sir Gawain you will see the pull of sexual temptation and of life in the medieval castle.
- Gawain is the model of the chivalric hero whose character is being tested on:
- Courage
- Fidelity
- Morality
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Purpose of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: teach us a moral lesson.
- Theme: To achieve nobility human beings must rely on the constant practice of a number of virtues such as:
- Courage
- Honesty
- Self-sacrifice
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Setting (time)
- The mythical past of King Arthur’s Court.
- Setting (place)
- Motifs
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