Unit 2: Middle English Period - PDF

SURVEY OF ENGLISH/BRITISH LITERATURE UNIT 2- MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD The Middle English Period of English Literature, spanning roughly from 1066 to 1500, was a significant era of linguistic and literary development in England. This period marked the transition f...

SURVEY OF ENGLISH/BRITISH LITERATURE UNIT 2- MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD The Middle English Period of English Literature, spanning roughly from 1066 to 1500, was a significant era of linguistic and literary development in England. This period marked the transition from Old English, spoken before the Norman Conquest of 1066, to Early Modern English, which emerged in the late 15th century. KEY FEATURES OF THE MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD Norman Conquest and Language Shift- In 1066, the Normans, led by William the Conqueror, invaded England and established Norman rule. This event resulted in a significant linguistic shift as Old English, spoken by the Anglo-Saxons, blended with Norman French, giving rise to Middle English. The merging of these two linguistic traditions led to changes in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Literary Themes and Genres- The literature of the Middle English Period reflected the changing societal and cultural landscape. Popular themes included chivalry, courtly love, religious devotion, morality, and allegory. Major literary genres included romance, lyric poetry, religious works, and allegorical literature. Geoffrey Chaucer and "The Canterbury Tales"- Perhaps the most famous writer of the Middle English Period, Geoffrey Chaucer, composed his magnum opus, "The Canterbury Tales." This collection of stories, written in verse, portrays a diverse group of pilgrims sharing tales while journeying to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket. The work provides insight into various social classes, professions, and viewpoints of the time. Religious Literature- The Middle Ages was a deeply religious era, and this was reflected in the literature. Works like "Piers Plowman" by William Langland and religious lyrics called "carols" were expressions of Christian devotion, morality, and spiritual allegory. Courtly Love and Romances- Middle English literature often explored the concept of courtly love, a romantic and often idealized relationship between a knight and a lady. Romantic narratives, such as "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Tristan and Isolde," were popular during this period. Allegorical Literature- Allegory was a common literary technique in Middle English literature. Works like "Pearl" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" employed allegorical elements to convey moral lessons or spiritual truths through symbolic storytelling. The Influence of the Printing Press- Towards the latter part of the Middle English Period, the printing press was introduced to England. This innovation played a crucial role in the standardization of English and the spread of written texts to a wider audience. The Middle English Period was marked by a rich diversity of literary expression that captured the complexities of the changing society, language, and culture of England. It laid the groundwork for the further evolution of English literature in the subsequent centuries. CANTERBURY TALE: THE PARDONER’S TALE BY GEOFFREY CHAUCER "The Pardoner's Tale" is one of the most famous and distinctive stories within Geoffrey Chaucer's collection of tales known as "The Canterbury Tales." This collection is a frame narrative, in which a diverse group of pilgrims tell stories to pass the time while traveling to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury. 1|Page Notes for LED 65- Survey of English & American Literature Prepared by Pacaldo, CMT SURVEY OF ENGLISH/BRITISH LITERATURE In "The Pardoner's Tale," the Pardoner, a church official who sells indulgences (pardons for forgiveness of sins), tells a moralizing story that highlights the dangers of greed and avarice. The tale is a cautionary narrative meant to expose the vices of human nature and the consequences of sinful behavior. SUMMARY OF "THE PARDONER'S TALE" The tale begins with a description of three young men who are living a life of revelry and debauchery. One day, they hear about Death, who has killed a thousand people. Enraged by this news, they decide to confront Death and kill him. As they set out on their quest to find Death, they encounter an old man who tells them that he has been looking for Death but has been unable to find him. The old man suggests that the young men look for Death under a nearby tree. When the men reach the tree, they find not Death but a large pile of gold coins. The three men immediately forget their quest for Death and become consumed by their greed for the gold. They decide to stay by the tree until nightfall so they can carry the gold away under the cover of darkness. However, one of the young men is sent into town to buy food and wine. While he is away, the remaining two plot to kill him upon his return, so they can split the gold between themselves. Meanwhile, the man who went to town also plans to poison his companions' wine in order to have the gold all to himself. When the man returns, the other two kill him and then drink the poisoned wine. As they celebrate their apparent victory, Death arrives and kills them as well. In the end, all three young men meet their demise due to their greed and treachery. The Pardoner concludes his tale by preaching against the vices of avarice, gluttony, and gambling. He uses the story as a means to manipulate his audience into buying his fake relics and indulgences, exploiting their fear of death and desire for salvation. "The Pardoner's Tale" is a vivid illustration of Chaucer's satirical style, where characters' flaws and vices are exposed through storytelling. The tale also touches on themes of mortality, the corrupt practices of the Church, and the moral complexities of human behavior. It offers a window into the social and moral concerns of Chaucer's time while revealing the multifaceted nature of human nature itself. 2|Page Notes for LED 65- Survey of English & American Literature Prepared by Pacaldo, CMT