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This topic aims to provide a detailed account for the relevance of the oral tradition in medieval literature, linking two of the most exemplary literary productions in Middle English, that is, the Arthurian Legend and Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.
The oral tradition
is understood as the way certain genres or literary forms are passed down by word of mouth from one generation to another without written instruction
The oral tradition also known as
Oral literature
In Britain they had a
rich folklore tradition
All traditional narratives are
the products of multiple authorship
In the oral tradition, stories are retold within a
Contextual chain with all sorts of variations which can subsequently be adopted by future narrators.
Many stories seem to lack
organic unity
Oral transmission relies on
verbal memory
Therefore, there is no definitive version of the story.
In the Oral tradition, narrators developed
techniques to remember long lines and plot, they used repetitive techniques like music.
The Arthurian legend
is possibly the most popular theme to derive from medieval legend. It is centred around king Arthur who pulled a sword (Excalibur) from a stone to become the greatest king of Britain.
The Arthurian Legend: Influence
It has inspired an overwhelming amount of
literature
film
music
videogames
other works of art
Such as
The BBC series called Merlin (2008-2012)
The videogame King Arthur: Knight’s tale (2021)
Origin Arthurian legend
It belongs to the Celtic tradition, it remained a matter of local interest until the 12th century.
The earliest record of the historical character can be found in
Gilda’s De excidio et conquestu Britanniae
Gilda’s De excidio et conquestu Britanniae YEAR
6th century
Which work does not mention Arthur by name?
Gilda’s De excidio et conquestu Britanniae (6th century)
The first explicit mention of Arthur by name appears in
The Welsh poem Y Gododdin
The Welsh poem Y Gododdin YEAR
7th century
Y Gododdin Arthur mention
It is relatively brief. The text was a tribute to a warrior.
The earliest source to present Arthur as a historical figure
Historia Brittonum
Historia Brittonum YEAR
9th century
Historia Brittonum chapter 56
It describes twelve battles that Arthur won against the Saxons - the last one being Mount Badon
One of the most significant turning points in the development of the Arthurian legend came with
Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae
Historia Regum Britanniae YEAR
1133 (12th century)
Geoffrey of Monmouth (12th century)
Born in Monmouth, Wales, his childhood was filled with the tradition of folk tales. He studied at Oxford and was a priest.
He wrote three books in Latin, two of which were incorporated into his masterpiece Historia Regum Britanniae
Historia Regum Britanniae (1133)
was originally written in Latin, a mixture of materials from previous books including elements of the author’s own invention.
As a source Geoffrey of Monmouth used
An old Celtic Book
The orally-transmitted heroic tales of two pro-Roman tribes
The list of kings of post-Roman dynasties in Western Britain
Plot Historia Regum Britanniae
It traces the history of British kings, reporting extensively King Arthur’s deeds and portraying him as a conqueror. The capital of his kingdom was Caerleon (Camelot) where he lived with his wife Guanhumara (Queen Guinevere) and founded the Round Table with his knights. Geoffrey introduced his magical advisor, Merlin.
Historia Regum Britanniae ADAPTATIONS
Wace’s Roman de Brut
Caerleon
Camelot
Guanhumara
Queen Guinevere
History of the English kings
Geoffrey Gaimar’s L’Estoire des Engleis
Geoffrey Gaimar’s L’Estoire des Engleis
includes an extensive coverage of the Arthurian legend, combining elements of English history with Arthurian romance.
Medieval Romance
emerged in Western Europe in the 12th century
Earlier romances were written in
verse
Later romances were written in
prose
Two main tendencies in Romance
In the North of France: The heroic tale
In Provence: conventions of courtly love
Romance in England
Very basic material from Romance sources is used, e.g. knights.
Who did classify medieval romance produced in England into three categories?
Jehan Bodel
Jehan bodel classified medieval romance produced in England into three categories
The Matter of Rome
The Matter of France
The Matter of Britain or the Arthurian Cycle
The Matter of Rome
History and mythology
The Matter of France
Charlemagne
The Matter of Britain or
The Arthurian Cycle
The Arthurian cycle’s romances common features
Arthur as the leader of a brilliant chilvaric court
His knights are given their own interests
The quest for he holy Grail links most of the stories
Arthur’s early life is associated with Merlin whose natural powers help him face his enemies
Main Romances
Chrétien de Troyes "Ywain and Gawain” 12th century
“Sir Gawain and the Green knight” 14th century
Sir Thomas Malory’s “Morte D’Arthur”
Chrétien de Troyes
Ywain and Gawain
Sir Thomas Malory
Morte D’Arthur
Chrétien de Troyes Ywain and Gawain (12th century)
Earliest Arthurian romance. The author introduced many of the permanent features of King Arthur’s legend
Ywain and Gawain: Many of the permanent features of King Arthur’s legend
Lancelot’s love for Queen Guinever and her unfaithful behaviour
Gawain as a model of prowess and courtesy
Perceval’s quest for the Holy Grail
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (14th century)
The main character is Sir Gawain: a knight who epitomizes all knightly virtues. The story centres on a duel between Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Gawain honour is called into question by a test involving the lady of the Green Knight’s castle, showing that even the best knights are flawed but honourable.
Even the best knights are _________ but honourable
Flawed
Gawain as a model of prowess and ________
courtesy
Gawain _________ is called into question
honour
Even the best knights are flawed but _______
honourable
Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte D’Arthur
This is considered to be the masterpiece of 15th century English literature. Malory abbreviates of Arthur instead of expanding it, as was the tradition.
Modern treatment of the Arthurian legend
It has continued to be re-told for centuries. The Arthurian revival of the late 19th century helped put him back on the international cultural map by removing the historical aura and emphasising the values he stood for.
In the 20th century, King Arthur found his way to stage and screen
E.g., during the ‘60, the myth had a musical on Broadway named Camelot.
Modern treatment of the Arthurian legend : In recent times
There have been hollywood movies, computer games and other creative re-tellings. There is no doubt both the scholarly search for Arthur and the impact of his legends on modern culture are continuing to flourish
Geoffrey Chaucer
often referred to as the Father of English literature, he is considered both:
the greatest English medieval writer
the first founder of the English language
Biography Geoffrey Chaucer
He was born in London in the 14th century, the only son of a wine merchant, he served as court page. He was able to interact with the aristocracy and fought in France, during the Hundred Year’s War, where he was taken prisoner. Edward III helped him back to England and took him into his service. He worked as a customs officer and a diplomat.
Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London in the _______
14th century
The only son of a ___________
wine merchant
Chaucer served as _______
court page
Who helped Chaucer back to England and took him into his service?
Edward III
Chaucer worked as a _________ and a diplomat
customs officer
Chaucer worked as a customs officer and a _______
diplomat
Chaucer is said to have been
a remarkable innovator
What did Chaucer adapted?
He adapted:
modes
themes
conventions
of French and Italian medieval poetry to English poetry
What is Chaucer considered creator of?
English versification
English versification Chaucer
His style is symple, almost colloquial with abundant vocabulary..
Chaucer favourite verse forms
Rhyme Royal and the Iambic pentameter
What does Chaucer cite?
Many classical and medieval Latin writers
Many _______ and medieval Latin writers
classical
Many classical and medieval ________ writers
Latin
Many classical and _______ Latin writers
medieval
Three influences can be distinguished in Chaucer’s production
French Influence
Italian Influence
First Italian Period
Second Italian Period
English influence
French Influence Chaucer work(s)
The book of the Duchess
First Italian period Chaucer work(s)
The House of Fame
Second Italian period Chaucer work(s)
The Parlement of Fowles
Troilus and Criseyde
English period Chaucer work(s)
The Canterbury Tales
Three influences can be distinguished in Chaucer's production:
French, Italian, and English.
French influence (Chaucer)
French narrative styles such as flabiaux (comic tales) and courtly love themes influenced Chaucer’s storytelling.
(French influence) Chaucer career was influenced by
Roman de la Rose
(French influence) Chaucer’s early works such as the book of the Duchess demonstrates this influence
through the use of octosyllabic couplets and French elegy.
What french narrative styles and themes influenced Chaucer’s storytelling?
Flabiaux (comic tales) and courtly love themes
Italian influence (Chaucer)
During this time, Chaucer’s works were influenced primarily by Dante and Boccaccio, their works led him to introduce into English the rhymed iambic pentameter which became the norm of English verse from that time onwards.
(Italian influence) Chaucer’s works were influenced primarily by
Dante and Boccaccio
First Italian Period (Chaucer)
The House of fame. unfinished work written in octosyllabic couplets. Chaucer’s use of dream vision and rich allegory in this poem reflects Dante’s influence. In his dream, Chaucer is in a palace called the house of fame.
Second Italian period (Chaucer)
Italian influence is fully assimilated in the period 1380s. Some works that represent this second Italian period are: The Parlement of Fowles and Troilus and Criseyde.
In which period is Italian influence fully assimilated (Chaucer)?
1380s
The Parlement of Fowles (Second Italian period)
This is a dream allegory in seven-line stanzas with great technical skill. It was written to celebrate Richard II’s betrothal to Anne of Bohemia.
Boccacio’s influence can be perceived in his use of Courtly love.
The narrator finds himself in a garden during the feast of Saint Valentine’s Day where birds, symbolising different social classes, gather to choose partners based on love and compatibility.
Troilus and Criseyde (Second Italian period)
This is Chaucer's longest poem. Source: Boccaccio's II Filostrato. It was written in Rhyme Royal stanzas. It was an intimate vision of the 14th century courtly life.
Criseyde is considered the first fully developed character of a woman in English literature. Chaucer incorporated something new in English literature: Psychological realism, exploring Criseyde internal conflicts.
The Parlement of Fowles PLOT
The narrator finds himself in a garden during the feast of Saint Valentine’s Day where birds, symbolising different social classes, gather to choose partners based on love and compatibility.
Why was The Parlement of Fowles written?
It was written to celebrate Richard II’s betrothal to Anne of Bohemia.
What is the source of Troilus and Criseyde?
Boccaccio's II Filostrato.
Criseyde is considered
the first fully developed character of a woman in English literature
What new thing in English literature did Chaucer incorporate in Troilus and Criseyde?
Chaucer incorporated something new in English literature: Psychological realism, exploring Criseyde internal conflicts.
English Period (Chaucer)
This is Chaucer’s final period written sometime in the 1380s. In this period Chaucer's skilful art is clearly displayed in his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales.
His main innovations in this period (English period) are:
His mixture of humour and realism achieved with a masterful control of character and dialogue. He is a supreme storyteller.
His option to write in the vernacular of Middle English, when most court poetry was written in Latin or Anglo-Norman, encouraging more writers to do the same and speeding up the transition from French and making literature more accessible.
The Canterbury Tales
It is a frame story, i.e. a story within a story. It is a dramatic sequence of stories in prose and verse linked by a fictitious pilgrimage. This was common in the later Middle Ages, e.g. Boccaccio’s Decameron.
How many tales are there in the Canterbury tales?
It consists of 24 tales, although Chaucer planned 120 stories, two for each pilgrim on the way to Canterbury and two more on their way back, but he never completed them.
There are about eighty surviving manuscripts, though none of them in Chaucer’s hand. Although
there have been some attempts to assemble the ten fragments left unarranged by Chaucer.
