The Middle Ages

Transcription

1 The Middle Ages

2 The Middle Ages Anglo Saxon period was ended by the invasion of Norman French Anglos Saxons: instability, isolation, danger, warring tribes Middle Ages: stability, lead to growth and stable structuring of society, growth of feudal economy Dark, cold, dangerous, culture with a powerful heroic code world of sumer is y- cumen in and The Canterbury Tales

3 The Middle Ages & Social Ideas Knights in Shining Armor Young boys went through a strict training to become warriors Several social codes were to be followed as a knight Women: No Voice, No Choice Women had no political rights A woman s husband, brother, or father was in control of her Her husband s or father s social class determined how much respect she d get Peasant women=worked hard and had lots of children Women of higher classes=had children and told others what to do

4 The Middle Ages & Social Ideas Chivalry and Courtly Love: Ideal but Unreal Chivalry=ideas and social codes that create the behaviors of knights and gentlewomen Remaining loyal to the lord and observing rules of warfare Adoring a particular lady and showering her with respect City Classes Development of lower, middle, and upper middle class systems

5 The Middle Ages & Literature: An explosion if interests in all sorts of people There were more different personalities to explore rather than just those of great heroes Lyric poetry (personal & emotional feelings expressed) Epic poetry began to lose a place-the thought/idea of battles, wars, demons/monsters, began to fade Interest in minds of people Writers began to explore more than just the actions of people

6 The Canterbury Tales: An anthology of an immense variety of people and literary styles Use of rhyme: new thing and each rhyme word was a surprise of new variety The idea of a hero was not consistent with the idea of a strong man ; the hero generally learned a lesson, but when through a tough trial to learn a lesson The idea of the monster was one who looked to exploit and manipulate religion and civilization through hypocrisy

7 The Canterbury Tales Written by Geoffrey Chaucer Very little is known about his personal life Known as the father of social criticism Criticized people indirectly through social satire Frame Story A story within a story The pilgrimage is the main story with each individual pilgrim s tale Irony Verbal-say one thing but mean another Situational-something actually happens that is different from the expected

8 The Canterbury Tales Major Themes: Feminity/Feminism Certain characters attempt a plea for men to change the treatment of women Some tales offer an alternative view of women; however, it may not be as flattering Authority/Experience Challenge of ancient text which define roles of certain characters Challenge the authority of the church (The Bible, proverbs, sayings) Challenge view of women as pure and innocent Challenge established institutions (Chivalry, Feudalism) Challenge to rules established may not be applied Love/Lust Idea of heavenly love (for God) Romantic love False love (lust) Ironic Ambiguity Words mean things in addition to what they literally mean What we d expect is not what is actual Something is open to more than one meaning

9 The General Prologue Once, many, many years ago, during a beautiful spring day, where the April rains were coming down, the flowers were blossoming, and the birds were singing beautiful melodies, English Christians were on a mission to go on a pilgrimage.

10 The General Prologue The English Christians, every spring, would go to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket to seek blessings and give thanks to the martyr for watching over their lives.

11 The General Prologue 29 travelers are on the pilgrimage to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket. They all stay at a tavern called the Tabard Inn. The host of the Tabard Inn offers a prize. He says, Since there are 29 of you, we should make this a fun trip. Whoever else tells the best two tales on the way to and from the shrine will win a prize. Everyone thought it was a great idea and the tales to be told began