English Literature

Old Alliterative Verse

A type of verse used in English poetry, characterized by the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Meter and Rhyme

The structured rhythm and pattern of sounds in poetry; entered English verse from France in the 12th century.

Syllable and Stress Meter

A metrical system that focuses on the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry.

Rhyme

The repetition of similar sounds, typically at the end of lines in poetry.

Matter of Britain

A term referring to a body of medieval romances focused on King Arthur and associated legends.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

An author known for 'History of the Kings of Britain', the first collection of stories based on the Arthurian legends.

Wace: Roman de Brut

An Anglo-Norman poem telling the story of King Arthur, extending the Arthurian legend.

Layamon: Brut

The first treatment of the Arthurian legend in English, rendering Wace's story into English verse.

Chretien de Troyes

A French poet who created the Arthurian romance genre, inspiring many English adaptations.

Aeneas

A Trojan hero, son of Venus, considered the founder of Rome.

Brutus

A legendary figure said to be the ancestor of the British race, credited with founding Britain.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

A 14th-century alliterative poem, recognized as one of the greatest Arthurian romances in verse.

Morte d'Arthur

A prose retelling of the Arthurian legends by Sir Thomas Malory, based on earlier French verse romances.

The Alliterative Revival

A literary movement in the late 14th century, marking a resurgence of alliterative verse in English literature.

Geoffrey Chaucer

A pivotal Middle English poet known for his works that introduced Renaissance elements into English literature.

Dream Vision

A genre where the story is presented as a dream experienced by the narrator.

Frame Narrative

A story within a story, providing a structure for the main narrative.

Allegory of Ideas

A technique in literature where abstract ideas are represented through characters and events.

Satire

A literary technique that uses humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize people's attitudes or society.

Piers Plowman

A 14th-century allegorical poem by William Langland that explores social issues and the quest for truth.

Renaissance Elements in Chaucer's Works

Incorporation of classical themes, mythological allusions, and realistic portrayals of contemporary life.

Popular Ballads

Narrative poems that tell simple stories, often rooted in folklore and characterized by a melodic quality.

Quatrain

A stanza or poem consisting of four lines, often with alternating rhymes.

Incremental Repetition

A poetic device where lines are repeated with slight variations, advancing the narrative.

Sir Walter Scott

A notable collector of folk ballads, known for preserving and popularizing this genre.

Literary Ballads

Poems written by recognized poets that mimic traditional folk ballads but are composed in written form.

Refrain

The repetition of a line or group of lines in a poem, often used for emphasis and musicality.

Objective Tone

A tone in poetry that presents the subject matter without personal feelings or judgments from the speaker.

Brevity

A characteristic of ballads where the story is presented concisely, focusing on dramatic moments.

Troilus and Cressida

A poem by Chaucer adapting Boccaccio's love tale, exploring themes of faithlessness in love.

Legends of Good Women

A work by Chaucer comprising stories about faithful women who suffered betrayal.

The Canterbury Tales

A collection of stories told by pilgrims during a journey to Canterbury, framed by Chaucer's narrative.

The General Prologue

The opening section of The Canterbury Tales introducing the characters and setting the context.

Chaucer's French Period

The phase of Chaucer's work influenced by contemporary French literature and allegorical styles.

Chaucer's Italian Period

The phase influenced by the Italian Renaissance, drawing inspiration from poets like Dante and Boccaccio.

The Knight's Tale

One of the narratives in Canterbury Tales, exemplifying the romance genre.

Irony in Canterbury Tales

A literary technique used by Chaucer to highlight contrasts between characters' intentions and outcomes.

The Prioress's Tale

A narrative characterized as a miracle story within The Canterbury Tales.

The Nun's Priest's Tale

A beast fable about a rooster, showcasing Chaucer's skill in storytelling and moral lessons.

Celtic Legends

Myths and stories originating from the traditions of the Celtic people, often featured in Middle English literature.

Ballad Form

Typically consists of quatrains with an abcb rhyme scheme, employing repetition and alliteration.

Secular Literature

Literature that focuses on themes outside of religious contexts, prominent during the Alliterative Revival.

Characterization in Chaucer

The detailed and nuanced descriptions of pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales, reflecting societal roles.

Dramatic Form in Ballads

The method of storytelling in ballads where dialogue often drives the plot.

Illiterate Villagers

Common populations whose oral traditions significantly shaped the ballad genre.