Exploring the Literature of the Middle Ages: An Analysis of Genre and Form

Assignment Instructions:

Exam I: The Middle Ages
Answer all of the following questions about the literature of the Middle Ages (5pts. each). For the short answer questions, be careful to answer each of the parts of the prompt completely. For the essay, be sure to write an essay that has a thesis, body paragraphs that each surround a specific supporting idea, and a conclusion. Whenever possible, support your answers by quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing key episodes in the works you are discussing. Base your answers on your own ideas–I am interested in seeing what you have learned, not what you can find in other sources beyond the textbook.
Submit your answers in a Word document or pdf.
Short Answer (Length of responses may vary; answer as completely as possible.):
1. The following lines are from Liuzza’s translation of Beowulf. Although the translator uses modern English, his lines imitate Old English prosody. Discuss a few of the ways the lines mimic the formal conventions of Old English poetry.
“The flagon was brought forth, a friendly greeting
Conveyed with words, and wound gold
Offered with goodwill, two armlets,
Garments and rings, and the greatest neck collar
Ever heard of anywhere on earth.
Under heaven I have not heard tell of a better
Hoard-treasure of heroes, since Hama carried off
To the bright city the Brosinga necklace,
the gem and its treasures; he fled the treachery
of Eormanric, chose eternal counsel.” (ll. 1192-1201)
2. Define the bob and wheel of some Medieval poetry. What are its characteristics, and which of these are innovations upon the poetry that came before it? How do the lines below conform to the conventions of the bob and wheel? Or fail to conform?
For shame!
I come here alone, and sit,
To learn your special play;
Show me your expertise
While my husband is away. (ll. 1530-1534)
Essay Question:
3. Discuss the medieval romance as a genre and some of the variations of it. What are its characteristics? Which of the works that we have read are romances? Explain how they conform to the conventions of the genre. Some works engage in a dialogue of sorts with the romance by playing with its conventions. Which works do this and how? Do these works have another message to convey? Develop your answer by referring to details, episodes, or passages from specific works.

How To Work On This Assignment(Example Draft/Essay)

During the Middle Ages, a vast and diverse range of literature was produced, including epic poems, lyric poetry, religious texts, and romances. The medieval romance emerged as a popular genre of literature that dealt with chivalry, courtly love, and heroic deeds. In this essay, I will discuss the characteristics of the medieval romance genre and explore some variations of it, as well as analyzing how the works we have read conform to and play with the conventions of the genre.

The medieval romance genre was marked by several recurring characteristics, including a focus on chivalry and courtly love, the portrayal of heroic deeds and quests, and the use of supernatural elements. These works often involved knights and ladies who engage in a quest or adventure, facing numerous obstacles along the way, including battles with monsters or other adversaries. One of the defining features of the romance was its emphasis on courtly love, which involved an idealized form of love that was chaste, spiritual, and often unrequited.

Some variations of the medieval romance genre include the Arthurian romance, the Breton lai, and the chanson de geste. The Arthurian romance is a sub-genre of the medieval romance that is centered around the legendary figure of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. The Breton lai is a type of romance that originated in Brittany, France, and is characterized by its short length and its use of supernatural elements. The chanson de geste, or “song of deeds,” is a type of epic poem that focuses on heroic deeds and battles, often with a historical basis.

Several of the works we have read conform to the conventions of the medieval romance genre. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, for example, is a tale of chivalry and courtly love that centers around the titular character’s quest to find the Green Knight and fulfill his obligation to receive a blow in return for the one he dealt to the Knight. The poem also features supernatural elements, such as the Green Knight’s ability to survive decapitation. The Wife of Bath’s Tale, another work we have read, is a romance that explores the themes of courtly love and chivalry, as the Knight must embark on a quest to discover what women truly desire.

Some works, however, engage in a dialogue with the romance genre by playing with its conventions. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, for example, includes a number of tales that subvert or satirize the conventions of the romance genre. The Miller’s Tale, for instance, is a bawdy parody of the courtly love tradition, featuring a young man who seduces his friend’s wife while the husband is away. The Knight’s Tale, on the other hand, is a straightforward example of a romance, but it also includes elements that question the values of the genre, such as the intense rivalry between the two knights for the love of a woman.

In conclusion, the medieval romance was a popular genre of literature during the Middle Ages that explored themes of chivalry, courtly love, and heroic deeds. It featured recurring characteristics such as quests, battles, and supernatural elements, and several variations of the genre, including the Arthurian romance, the Breton lai, and the chanson de geste. Works such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Wife of Bath’s Tale conform to the conventions of the romance genre, while other works, such as the Miller’s Tale and the Knight’s Tale, engage in a dialogue with the genre by subverting or questioning its values. Through analyzing the characteristics of the genre and its variations, we can gain a deeper understanding of the literature of the Middle Ages