Old English. Middle English

Transcription

1 English II Pre-AP

2 Old English Fæder ure þu þe eart on heofonum; Si þin nama gehalgod to becume þin rice gewurþe ðin willa on eorðan swa swa on heofonum. urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us todæg and forgyf us ure gyltas swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum and ne gelæd þu us on costnunge ac alys us of yfele soþlice Middle English Oure fadir that art in heuenes, halewid be thi name; thi kyndoom come to; be thi wille don in erthe as in heuene: gyue to us this dai oure breed ouer othir substaunce; and forgyue to us oure dettis, as we forgyuen to oure gettouris; and lede us not in to temptacioun, but delyuere us fro yuel.

3 Timeline a little context Bayeux Tapestry William the Norman invades and conquers England Viking/Anglo-Saxon Rule Romans retreat from England 991 Battle of Maldon Norman Rule An English King (Henry II) back on the throne Medieval Period Black Death kills 50% of the population

4 Alliterative Revival Bob-and-Wheel: a two- or three-syllable bob followed by a quatrain (the wheel ) Bob: bridge between long series of alliterative lines and the wheel; stress is on the last syllable Wheel: usually contains three stressed syllables per line Rhyme scheme (beginning with bob) is ABABA

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6 Exists only in one 14 th - century manuscript = Cotton Nero A.x. (Hmmm sound familiar?) Manuscript containing Gawain also contains three other poems, including Pearl Author = the Pearl Poet; clearly familiar with life of the nobiility

7 Romance: An adventure tale that recounts the heroic deeds of knights and celebrates their chivalric way of life; conveys medieval values of loyalty and Christian faith Common Characteristics: Tells adventures of a young, nearly perfect hero Opens with a feast Involves a challenge Involves supernatural elements Teaches the hero a moral lesson Includes women as temptation Shows cyclical qualities of nature

8 STAGE THREE: RETURN Reward (Freedom to Live) Call to Adventure STAGE ONE: SEPARATION The Return The Known The Unknown or Shadow Realm Threshold Guardians Crossing the Threshold Ultimate Boon Supernatural Aid Transformation/ Revelation STAGE TWO: INITIATION Atonement with the Father

9 Long narrative poem About the exploits of a single hero who is usually the savior/protector of his people Exists in a warrior/shame culture (don t shame your family name!) Realistic setting (even if fantastic elements exist, such as dragons). The places, people, and economic conditions are often real. Ends in death of the hero (Glorious and Honorable!) Long narrative poem The hero fights for an ideal, not to save his tribe. Usually goes on a quest. Exists in a courtly culture, where courtesy and reverence for women is as important as fighting skill Idealization of places and people. Not meant to be realistic. Happy ending! (almost always)

10 Chivalry: the code that guides the behavior of knights in romance literature. It requires a knight to Swear allegiance to his lord Fight to uphold Christianity Seek to redress all wrongs Honor truth by word and deed Be faithful to one lady Act with bravery, courtesy, and modesty

11 Courtly love: comes from rules the were developed to regulate the behavior of lovers Love songs and poems tell of a man s unrequited love for a woman Lovelorn hero feels inferior to the woman and flatters her in song and verse Man does everything he can to refine himself to become worthy of her love Man desires to serve the woman and be rewarded with love To love her is exquisite pain, yet it gives him great joy (a paradox!) The woman can A) advance the affair and reward him, OR B) reject and spurn him.

12 Interweaving narratives Beheading game Quest Seduction tale Beheading Game common in oral poetry 1. Outsider comes to court and challenges. 2. Hero accepts challenge. 3. Hero gives outsider a blow, cutting off his head. 4. Hero journeys to the court of the outsider. 5. Outsider tests the hero. 6. Hero accepts the return blow and returns to court.

13 Archetypes Use of the bob-and-wheel Traits of Romances (and contrasts to what might happen in an epic) Structure great deal of structural unity Use of parallels and balance Use of contrast and antithesis