british literature midterm

I am a wondrous creature, a joy to women,

a help to neighbours; I harm none

of the city-dwellers, except for my killer.

My base is steep and high, I stand in a bed,

shaggy somewhere beneath. Sometimes ventures

the very beautiful daughter of a churl,

a maid proud in mind, so that she grabs hold of me,

rubs me to redness, ravages my head,

forces me into a fastness. Immediately she feels

my meeting, the one who confines me,

the curly-locked woman. Wet will be that eye.

Anonymous, Onion Riddle (before 970, the date of the Exeter Book)

A certain enemy robbed me of my life,

stole my world-strength; afterward he soaked me,

dunked me in water, dragged me out again,

set me in the sun, where I swiftly lost

 the hairs that I had. Afterward the hard

edge of a knife, with all unevenness ground away, slashed me;

fingers folded, and the bird’s joy

[spread] over me with worthwhile drops, often made tracks,

over the bright border, swallowed tree-dye,

a portion of the stream, stepped again on me,

journeyed, leaving behind a dark track. Afterward a hero

encircled me with protective boards, covered me with hide,

garnished me with gold; therefore the wonderful

work of smiths glitters on me, surrounded by wire.

Now those ornaments and the red dye

and that wondrous dwelling widely worship

the protector of the people, not at all foolish in wisdom.

If the children of men wish to enjoy me,

they will be the more sound and the more victory-fast,

the bolder in heart and the more blithe in mind,

the wiser in spirit, they will have more friends,

dear and near, faithful and good,

upright and true; then their glory and prosperity

will increase with favour and lay down

goodwill and kindness and in the grasp of love

clasp firmly. Find what I am called,

useful to men. My name is famous,

handy to heroes and holy in itself.

Anonymous, Bible Riddle (before 970 (you can say 1000)

Every year for five days, the men of Ulster were incapacitated by the same pain felt by women in labour. They were cursed in this way after they treated the figure of Macha, a goddess and mythological figure, unfairly at an assembly of Ulster men. In Irish mythology, Macha was the wife of Crunnchua.

At the assembly, Crunnchua witnessed a horse race. Those in attendance, including the king, declared that nobody could run as fast as the horses. Crunnchua boasted that his wife could beat the horses without a problem. The king took Crunnchua up on the challenge and demanded that Macha run a race, even though she was in labour. She begged for a delay until she had finished her labour, but the king refused. At the finish line, she gave birth to twins and her shriek of pain condemned the men of Ulster to a curse for nine generations.

Anonymous, the Tain, year 1100

what genre is the tain?

the tain is epic.

what is the tain?

Epic, war between Ulster and the other provinces of Ireland (Leinster, Munster, Connacht)

Cuchulain: Irish boy hero who defends Ulster while other warriors suffer pangs of birth

*Pangs of the Men of Ulster

which of the following doesnt mark the end of the middle ages?

• the protestant reformation

• the printing press

• war of the roses

• norman conquest

• norman conquest

Events that make up the Early Modern Period

• *1455: Printing Press - Guttenberg prints his Bible

• *1445-1585: Wars of the Roses fought between the Houses of York & Lancastor

• *1485: William Caxton prints an edited version of Le Morte D’Arthur

1485: Tudor Period begins with the Battle of Bosworth Field ; Henry VII comes to the throne ending the Wars of the Roses (1455-85)

1492: Columbus set sail for India (finds America)

• *1516: Utopia is written by Sir Thomas More

• *1517: Protestant Reformation began with the publication of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

• *1534: Church of England is founded by Henry VIII – The Act of Supremacy

Transition from Medieval to Early Modern England

1. Conscious return to Classical Greece and Rome: Renaissance

a. Libraries: Duke Humphrey Library; Duke (d. 1447) gives 281 books to Oxford

b. More and Wyatt

1. Religious Reform: Reformation (Luther; 95 Theses: indulgences); sola scriptura sola fide

a. Anticipated by Julian and Margery; Chaucer?

b. In contrast to Everyman: good deeds (penance for sins) and confession

1. Wars of the Roses (1455-85); end w/ Henry Tudor (VII) wins the Battle of Bosworth Field

a. Hundred Years War (1337-1453)

b. Field of Cloth of Gold: new beginning of peace

The (blank) begins after

• Germanic tribes (the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) who have settled in England (after 410) are converted to Christianity by Augustine of Canterbury (597).

• Viking raids begin at the end of the eighth century: in 793 the monastery on Lindisfarne was sacked.

• The Norman Conquest (1066) ends the period.

Old English Period

The (blank) begins after the Norman Conquest (1066) with

• English itself being replaced by Anglo-Norman as the language of literature (Marie de France)

• Eventually English re-emerges in the late 14th c. (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gower, and Chaucer).

• The period ends with two mystics who anticipate the Reformation in their direct communication with God;

• a prisoner’s retelling of the great medieval romance of Arthur; and two examples of medieval drama.

Middle English Period

The (blank)

• follows the Wars of the Roses (1455-85), which brings Henry VII (Tudor) to the throne.

• The effect of the printing press (Guttenberg, 1455) is almost immediately felt with the printing of Malory’s Morte (Caxton, 1485).

• The first major work, Sit Thomas More’s Utopia (1516) fits with the idea of a Renaissance since it looks back to Plato’s Republic.

  • However, it is followed almost immediately by Luther’s 95 Theses, which mark the beginning of the Reformation with its deadly conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.

• Henry VIII uses the Act of Supremacy to declare himself the head of the English Church (1534) and executes More (1535).

Early Modern Period (Renaissance/Reformation)

what is the date for Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain?

1140

what type of story is beowulf?

Epic, a story of heroes with consequences for the fates of countries (Denmark, Sweden..,)

in beowulf, who is Unferth?

a character who who challenges Beowulf

in beowulf, who is Wealhtheow?

w, Hrothgar’s queen who worries about her boys

in Beowulf, who is Wiglaf?

someone who cannot succeed Beowulf because the king of Swede hates him *the lines following “Are you the Beowulf who took on Breca..

The Old English Period stories

• Caedmon, Hymn

• Dream of the Rood

• Onion Riddle

• Bible Riddle

• Beowulf

• The Tain

The Middle English Period stories

• History of the Kings of Britain

• Lanva

• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

• Florent

• Wife of Bath’s Tale

• Revelations of Divine Love

• The Book of Margery Kempe

• Morte d’Arthur

• Second Shepherd’s Play

• Everyman

Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain (1140s):

Pseudo-history/romance, discussing for example the arrival of Angles, Saxon, and Jutes But also King Leir and King Arthur *conception of Arthur:

“Among the rest was present Gorlois, Duke of Cornawall… In Latin

“Among the rest was present Gorlous, Duke or Cornawall” what is this a passage from?

Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain (1140s)

Marie de France, Lanval (c. 1180s)

Romance (lai) based on a Breton story but set in the court of King Arthur In French (Anglo-Norman) the literary language after the Norman Conquest

Lines following “This was Lanval”

who’s the author of Lanval"?

Marie de France

Anonymous, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (c. 1400):

Romance: an English response to French codes of Chivalry and Romance? *“Nay, here I crave no fight

what was Sir Gawain and the Green Knight a English response to?

an English response to French codes of Chivalry and Romance

“Nay, here I crave no fight, in sooth I say to thee, The knights about thy board but beardless bairns they be, An I were fitly armed, upon this steed so tall, For lack of strength no man might match me in this hall! Therefore within thy court I crave a Christmas jest, ’T is Yuletide, and New Year, and here be many a guest, If any in this hall himself so hardy hold, So valiant of his hand, of blood and brain so bold, That stroke for counter-stroke with me exchange he dare, I give him of free gift this gisarme rich and fair, This axe of goodly weight, to wield as he see fit, And I will bide his blow, as bare as here I sit. If one will test my words, and be of valiant mood, Then let him swiftly come, and take this weapon good,— Here I renounce my claim, the axe shall be his own— And I will stand his stroke, here, on this floor of stone, That I in turn a blow may deal, that boon alone I pray, Yet respite shall he have A twelvemonth, and a day. Now quickly I thee crave— Who now hath aught to say?”

where is this passage from?

Anonymous, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (c. 1400):

John Gower, Florent (c. 1400, but after the Wife of Bath’s Tale)

Story collection, in the Confessio amantis In English *“There was whilom be daies olde…”

what genre is John Gower’s Florent?

Story collection

Ther was whilom be daies olde 
A worthi knyht, and as men tolde 
He was Nevoeu to th'emperour 
And of his Court a Courteour: 
Wifles he was, Florent he hihte, 
He was a man that mochel myhte, 
Of armes he was desirous, 
Chivalerous and amorous, 
And for the fame of worldes speche, 
Strange aventures forto seche, 
He rod the Marches al aboute. 

what passage is this from?

John Gower, Florent (c. 1400, but after the Wife of Bath’s Tale)

whats the date for John Gower’s Florent?

1400

Geoffrey Chaucer, Wife of Bath’s Tale (c. 1400 but before Florent)

Story collection, in the Canterbury Tales *“This knight answered, ‘Alas and woe is me…”

what genre isWife of Bath’s Tale?

Story collection

    In th' olde dayes of the Kyng Arthour,
                  In the old days of King Arthur, 
 Of which that Britons speken greet honour,
                  Of whom Britons speak great honor,
 Al was this land fulfild of fayerye.
                  This land was all filled full of supernatural creatures. 
     The elf-queene, with hir joly compaignye,
                  The elf-queen, with her jolly company,
    Daunced ful ofte in many a grene mede.
                  Danced very often in many a green mead.
        This was the olde opinion, as I rede;
                  This was the old belief, as I read;
    I speke of manye hundred yeres ago.
                  I speak of many hundred years ago. 

  This knyght answerde, "Allas and weylawey!
                  This knight answered, "Alas and woe is me!
    I woot right wel that swich was my biheste.
                  I know right well that such was my promise.
For Goddes love, as chees a newe requeste!
                  For God's love, choose a new request!
  Taak al my good and lat my body go."
                  Take all my goods and let my body go."

  "Nay, thanne," quod she, "I shrewe us bothe two!
                  "Nay, then," she said, "I curse both of us two!
  For thogh that I be foul, and oold, and poore
                  For though I am ugly, and old, and poor
    I nolde for al the metal, ne for oore
                  I would not for all the metal, nor for ore
    That under erthe is grave or lith above,
                  That under earth is buried or lies above,
  But if thy wyf I were, and eek thy love."
                  Have anything except that I were thy wife, and also thy love."

what passage is this from?

Geoffrey Chaucer, Wife of Bath’s Tale (c. 1400 but before Florent)

Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (c. 1400):

Mystical Theology, the first written by a woman in England *First vision: “I saw the red blood…

what genre is Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (c. 1400)?

Mystical Theology

what is what genre is Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (c. 1400) about?

Theology, the first written by a woman in England *First vision

“And in this suddenly i saw the red blood running down from under the garland, hot and freshly, plenteously and lively, right as it was in the time that the Garland of thorns was pressed on his blessed head.”

what is this passage from?

Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (c. 1400)

Margery Kempe, The Book of Margery Kempe (c. 1400):

Autobiography, the first written in English The opening of Book 1, chapter 1: Her marriage and illness after childbirth; Chapter 11 (Argument with husband: “it befell on a Friday on midsummer eve…”)

“Her marriage and illness after child-birth She recovers WHEN this creature was twenty years of age, or some deal more, she was married to a worshipful burgess (of Lynne) and was with child within a short time, as nature would And after she had conceived, she was be laboured with great accesses till the child was born and then, what with the labour she had in childing, and the sickness going before, she despaired of her life, weenıng she might not live And then she sent for her ghostly father, for she had a thing on her conscience which she had never shewn before that time in all her life For she was ever hindered by her enemy, the devil, evermore saying to her that whilst she was in good health she needed no confession, but to do penance by herself alone and all should be forgiven, for God is merciful enough”

what is this a passage from?

Margery Kempe, The Book of Margery Kempe (c. 1400):

what genre is Margery Kempe, The Book of Margery Kempe (c. 1400):?

Autobiography, (the first written in English)

Sir Thomas Malory, Morte d’Arthur (c. 1470; printed 1485 by Caxton):

Romance of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Written by Malory when in prison during the Wars of the Roses (1455-85) *Book 21, chapter 5 “How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur…”

How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur into the water, and how he was delivered to ladies in a barge.

But I may not stand, mine head works so. Ah Sir Launcelot, said King Arthur, this day have I sore missed thee: alas, that ever I was against thee, for now have I my death, whereof Sir Gawaine me warned in my dream. Then Sir Lucan took up the king the one part, and Sir Bedivere the other part, and in the lifting the king swooned; and Sir Lucan fell in a swoon with the lift, that the part of his guts fell out of his body, and therewith the noble knight’s heart brast. And when the king awoke, he beheld Sir Lucan, how he lay foaming at the mouth, and part of his guts lay at his feet. Alas, said the king, this is to me a full heavy sight, to see this noble duke so die for my sake, for he would have holpen me, that had more need of help than I. Alas, he would not complain him, his heart was so set to help me: now Jesu have mercy upon his soul! Then Sir Bedivere wept for the death of his brother. Leave this mourning and weeping, said the king, for all this will not avail me, for wit thou well an I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve me evermore; but my time hieth fast, said the king. Therefore, said Arthur unto Sir Bedivere, take thou Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder water side, and when thou comest there I charge thee throw my sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou there seest. My lord, said Bedivere, your commandment shall be done, and lightly bring you word again.

what is this a passage from?

Sir Thomas Malory, Morte d’Arthur (c. 1470; printed 1485 by Caxton):

what genre is Sir Thomas Malory, Morte d’Arthur (c. 1470; printed 1485 by Caxton)?

Romance

Wakefield Master, Second Shepherd’s Play (c. 1500):

Mystery Play in a cycle of religious drama from Creation to Judgement Free adaptation of the Nativity story to the context of 15th c. England Lament about taxation at start: “Lord, but this weather is cold…”

what genre is Wakefield Master, Second Shepherd’s Play (c. 1500):

Mystery Play

who is the author of second shepherd’s play?

Wakefield Master

1ST SHEPHERD

Lord, but this weather is cold! And I am ill wrapped. A am nearly a dolt, so long have I napped. My legs they fold, my fingers are chapped. But we are simple shepherds that walk on the moor, In truth we have been kicked out the door! No wonder as it stands, if we be poor, For the land we used to have use of lies as fallow as the floor, As you know. We are so lamed, Overtaxed and rammed, And like a pet tamed By those gentlemen. Thus they rob us of our rest, our Lady them harry! These rich men are our pest, they make the plough tarry. What they say is for the best, we found it contrary. Thus are countrymen oppressed, to the point of misery.

what passage is this from?

Wakefield Master, Second Shepherd’s Play (c. 1500):

what’s the date for Wakefield Master, Second Shepherd’s Play?

(c. 1500):

Anonymous, Everyman (c. 1500)

Dramatic Allegory, Morality Play, on death, judgement, and salvation Everyman stands for everyman, friends, good deeds, etc. *Messenger’s speech at the opening of the play: “pray you all give audience…”

“PRAY you all give your audience, And hear this matter with reverence, By figure a moral play; The Summoning of Everyman I called it is, 'That of our lives and ending shows, How transitory we be all day: This matter is wonders precious, But the intent of it is more gracious. And sweet to bear away. The story saith: man, in the beginning Look well, and take good heed to the ending, Be you never so gay: Ye think sin in the beginning full sweet, Which in the end causeth thy soul to weep, When the body lieth in clay.”

what passage is this from?

Anonymous, Everyman (c. 1500)

what is the genre of Anonymous, Everyman (c. 1500)?

Dramatic Allegory

what is the date of Anonymous, Everyman?

(c. 1500)?

Sir Thomas More, Utopia (1516):

Begins Utopian/Dystopian fiction

Written in Latin immediately before the beginning of the Reformation

Plato’s Republic

Relies on voyages of discovery by Christopher Columbus (1492)

*Letter to Peter Giles and the passage on religious tolerance (book 2 p. 90: religions vary…)

Religions vary, not only throughout the whole island, but even within each city: some worship the sun as a god, others the moon, still others one of the planets; there are some who honor some particular human being, whose virtue or glory was once distinguished, as not only a god but as even the highest god. But the very largest majority, and by far the wiser group, believe nothing of the sort, but instead believe there is a kind of single divinity, unknown, eternal, immeasurable, inexplicable, above the comprehension of the human intellect, and diffused throughout this whole universe, not in material mass but by energy. They call him their parent. To him alone do they ascribe all beginnings, growth, progress, changes, and ends of all things, and do not ascribe divine honors to others

what passage is this from?

Sir Thomas More, Utopia (1516):

what genre is Sir Thomas More, Utopia (1516)?

Utopian/Dystopian fiction

what is the date for Sir Thomas More, Utopia?

(1516):

Sir Thomas Wyatt, Whoso List to Hunt, I know where is a Hind (c. 1530)

One of the first sonnets in English Source: Petrarch, Sonnet 190 Written before Wyatt’s death in 1542; printed in 1557 in Tottel’s Miscellany Perhaps about Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII

who is the author of Whoso List to Hunt, I know where is a Hind (c. 1530)

Sir Thomas Wyatt,

what is the date of Sir Thomas Wyatt, Whoso List to Hunt, I know where is a Hind

(1530)

Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,

But as for me, hélas, I may no more.

The vain travail hath wearied me so sore,

I am of them that farthest cometh behind.

Yet may I by no means my wearied mind

Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore

Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore,

Sithens in a net I seek to hold the wind.

Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt,

As well as I may spend his time in vain.

And graven with diamonds in letters plain

There is written, her fair neck round about:

Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am,

And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.

what passage is this from?

Sir Thomas Wyatt, Whoso List to Hunt, I know where is a Hind (c. 1530)

4000 BCE: Indo-European Migrations: Sanskrit pitar, Greek/Latin pater, Irish athair, English father

By 400 BCE Celtic and Germanic peoples have settled in Western Europe

55 BCE: Caesar invades England; he’s been fighting the Celtics in Gaul (France) ? birth of Christ

43: Claudius completes the Roman conquest of England south of Hadrian’s Wall

320: Constantine converts the Roman Empire to Christianity

410: Alaric the Visigoth sacks Rome; Roman presence in England decreases; Germanic (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) speakers arrive in England

? 431: Patrick brings Christianity to Ireland

c. 500: the time of the historical Arthur and Hamlet?

**c. 521: Hygelac dies in a raid in Frisia (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks) - Cochilacus (Latin version of Hygelac)

Before English Literary History Begins