Medieval Romance

Medieval Romance

Romance = Narrative based in fantasy, supernatural events in exotic settings

Medieval Romance = Knight’s adventures, damsels in distress, quests, doomed love

Themes of love, honor Mix of realism & fantasy

Feudalism

Government & Landownership King Noblemen Serfs Loyalty for land Ideals of honor…code of conduct =

chivalry Brave warriors, virtuous Christians, fight for

justice

Arthurian Legends

Chivalry…legends, songs re: King Arthur Legends = hero, quest, repeated

events, fact? Widespread by 11th century

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Arthur’s nephew

3 challenges

Admirable, not invulnerable human, not perfect

King Arthur

King Arthur Celtic hero Real person?

Legends = fact + fiction

England and France 15th century Sir

Thomas Malory, Morte d’Arthur

Sir Thomas Malory

1405?-1471 Hunting, tournaments, Arthurian lore Convicted felon much of his life in jail!

Cattle-stealing, extortion, assault, POW?

Probably wrote Morte d’Arthur from behind bars

▪ Prisoner, but knight = access to books

Translated, adapted legends of Arthur

Morte d’Arthur

Published after Malory’s death

Not JUST a retelling Inspiration = ideals of

knighthood Cycle of adventure,

quests, betrayal