Medieval Romance(s)

1. Medieval Romance(s) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and La Morte d’ Arthur

2. What is Chivalry? • Definition: Chivlary has come to be known as courteous and gallant behavior toward women in modern society, stemming from the qualities expected of a knight in the middle ages. These accepted behaviors often included courage, honor and justice among others.

3. Is chivalry dead in today’s society? And then there’s this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5uz3RlcYl0

4. 4 Principal Characteristics of a Medieval Romance • Chivalry • The Supernatural • Knights and Kings • Quest

5. Chivalry • Chivalry- The qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women • It was the duty of a Middle Ages Knight to learn how to fight and so serve their liege Lord according to the Code of Chivalry. • The Code of Chivalry dictated that a Knight should be brave and fearless in battle but would also exhibit cultured Knightly qualities showing themselves to be devout, loyal, courteous and generous. • There was not an authentic Knight’s Code of Chivalry as such - it was a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced the concept of chivalrous conduct - qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.

6. Code of Chivalry • Chivalry and King Arthur • The ideals of a knight’s Code of Chivalry were publicized in the poems, ballads, writings and literary works. • The Dark Age myths of Arthurian Legends featuring King Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table further strengthen the idea of a Knights Code of Chivalry. • The Arthurian legend revolves around the Code of Chivalry which was adhered to by the Knights of the Round Table - Honor, Honesty, Valor and Loyalty which were most likely a product of the seven Christian values of Chivalry (often associated with the seven Cardinal virtues in the Bible):

9. The Supernatural • The Supernatural - an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe • Note that in most medieval romances, the supernatural is defined by fantastical creatures such as dragons, trolls, elves, etc. • Additionally, elements of the supernatural can be associated with magic and spells. • Often, the hero of the quest must face and overcome an opposition of supernatural nature to triumph

10. Knights and Kings • The King oversaw the workings of the Feudal System. • In the feudal system, the king owns all of the kingdoms land. • Based on their ranking in society and the allegiance to the king, followers (Barons) were given portions of land to oversee for the king. • Knights were given land by a Baron in return for military service when demanded by the King. • Knights, in turn, also protected the Baron, as well as the Manor, from outside threats. • The Knights were also awarded land for their own personal use and distributed the remainder to villeins (serfs).

11. The Quest • Quest: An expedition undertaken by a knight to perform a prescribed feat • In any medieval romance, the hero must partake in a quest where he (or she) often achieves a goal, is rewarded with treasure and/or learns a lesson. • Famous Quests in Literature: • The Quest of the Holy Grail (King Arthur) • Gigamesh • Odysseus in The Odyssey

12. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight • Follows the adventure of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur’s round table. • Gawain is sent on a quest to discover the identity of a mysterious Green Knight, which tests his adherence to his sense of chivalry through a lesson or morality • Contains overt elements of the supernaturalthroughout the tale