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THE MIDDLE AGES

THE MIDDLE AGES. From Beowulf to Chaucer. Lugnan Viviana & Testolin Francesca. Historical context. 5th Century: Anglo-Saxon invasions 1066: first and last conquest of England from Normans Birth of feudal- system

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THE MIDDLE AGES

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  1. THE MIDDLE AGES From Beowulf to Chaucer Lugnan Viviana & Testolin Francesca

  2. Historical context • 5th Century: Anglo-Saxoninvasions • 1066: first and last conquest of England from Normans • Birth of feudal- system • 1215: Magna Charta: the process of negotiation between barons and the King. It limited the royal power • 1381: Peasants Revolt • 1453-1485: The war of the Roses • 1485: the Middle Ages came to an end

  3. Anglo-Saxon literature: BEOWULF • The first epic pagan poem • It had been orally transmitted before being recorded on paper (10° Century) • It was written in Old English (mix of germanic dialects) • It represents Anglo-Saxons’ values • Beowulf is the hero of the poem

  4. Medieval Society • Pyramidal, hierarchicalorganization • Privileged code isthe religiousone regular code • People wereinterested in salvation • William I the Conquerorinstituted the feudal system landsdistribuitedamongknights and barons

  5. Women condition • Wives or nuns • Underrated inside the society • Often considered as witches (people believed in supernatural) • Private and domestic sphere considered a woman’s world • Restricted education

  6. The ballad • Narrative poem • Orally transmitted • Revived during the romantic period • For common people • Characters simply sketched • Themes: tragical events, supernatural, demon love, battles on the boarder between Scotland and England • Use of music

  7. Medieval literature • Mystery plays: stories taken from the Old Testament, the Creation and Fall to the last Judgement. Performed inside the church and later brought outside • Morality plays: allegorical tales in which human qualities were personified (vices and virtues)

  8. The Canterbury tales (Geoffrey Chaucer) • Written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer • First masterpiece of English literature • Inspired by Boccaccio’s Decameron • Series of linked stories • Pilgrimage to Canterbury • Characters belonged to different social classes • Characters both individuals and stereotype

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