Background Material a nd Excerpts Knights of Legend A Society of Promises Feudalism was a system of government and of land ownership In exchange for a noblemans oath of loyalty a king would give him lands ID: 252435
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Slide1
Medieval Literature
Background
Material
a
nd
ExcerptsSlide2
Knights of Legend
A Society of Promises:
Feudalism was a system of government and of land ownership.
In exchange for a nobleman’s oath of loyalty, a king would give him lands.
The nobleman ruled these lands, judging legal cases, imposing taxes, and maintaining an army.
These powers were granted him in
exhange
for his promise of loyalty to his king.Slide3
The
Code of Chivalry:
An
expression of feudal ideals of honor, nobles developed a code of conduct called chivalry.
This code demanded that knights be brave warriors and virtuous Christians who would selflessly fight for justice
Chivalrous knights obeyed certain rules of warfare such as never attacking an unarmed opponent
Additionally, adoring a
particular
lady (not necessarily one’s wife) was seen as a means of achieving
self-improvement
P
latonic Love, Respect, and Honor are common motifs [see Courtly Love]Slide4
All You Need Is [Courtly] Love
Courtly Love:
The idea that revering and acting in the name of a lady would make a knight brave and better was central to this aspect of chivalry.
In its ideal form, it is nonsexual.
A knight might wear his lady’s colors in battle
He might glorify her in words and be inspired by her
The lady always remained pure and out of reach; she was “set above” her admirer.Slide5
Arthurian Legend
King Arthur and His Knights:
The ideals of chivalry gave rise to legends and songs, such as the tales of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table.
In the eleventh century, as feudalism established itself
throughout Europe
, stories about Arthur’s court became widespread.Slide6
Elements of “Romantic” Literature
A near-perfect hero
An evil enemy
A quest
A test of the hero
Supernatural elements
Good vs. evil
Female figures who are usually maidens (in need of rescue), mothers, or cronesSlide7
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”Slide8Slide9
“Federigo’s
Falcon”Slide10
Based on “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”
What is the purpose of the “Wife’s Tale”?
Didactic—teaching a moral?
Persuasive?
Simply entertaining?
Which elements define, describe, develop this tale?
Provide two examples and explanations:
Give a statement of the Medieval / Romantic element being used
Give a quote from the “Wife’s Tale” to support the element
Give analysis (how, why, what about the quote proves the useful nature of the element within the story)Slide11
Write an essay stating the purpose of the “Wife’s Tale.”
Introduction
Body Paragraph(s)
Conclusion
Typed: double-spaced, 12 pt. font, one-inch margins, MLA formal essay format
Submit to turnitin.com
Class ID: 4223544
Class Password: tbirds1
Due on Monday, Oct.
24th