Alliterative Poetry-Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Chaucer's poetry was a new kind-he adapted European literary techniques to the English language and came up with a revolutionary new poetic style for the language. However, in other parts of the country, there were poets who were still using the alliterative techniques of Old English. One such poet wrote "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", the tale of Sir Gawain's courageous rise to the Green Knght's challenge. Sir Gawain was one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

In this poem we see head-rhyme and the four strong beats of Old English poetry:

"On the ground the Green Knight graciously stood,

With his head slightly slanting to expose the flesh."

And we see some of the violent imagery that we saw in "Beowulf":

"And slashed swiftly down on the exposed part,

So that the sharp blade sheared through, shattering the bones,"

and

"The fair head fell from the neck, struck the floor,

And people spurned it as it rolled around.

Blood spurted from the body, bright against the green."

Some say that the Green Knight represents the old Celtic pagan religion (remember, King Arthur is a Celtic legend; Beowulf is a Scandinavian legend); while King Arthur and his knights represent Christianity. Thus, in this tale the old beliefs are challenging the new, but the new prevail. The "green man" is a common image in Celtic mythology.

REMEMBER: The word "romance" in medieval literature is different to the modern meaning. Romance means adventure, rising to challenges, and eventually earning the love of a lady.

There was a wife come from Bath or near..

What a lady! One of Chaucer's more colourful characters, the Wife of Bath was used to criticise the behaviour of certain middle class women who were fond of money and showing off. Notice how he creates the irony by contrasting her behaviour with that of the ideal medieval woman. Look at the following lines:

"In all the parish there was no goodwife,

Should offereing make before her, on my life."

At this stage we think "What a charitable lady! Always willing to part with her money for good causes."

Then Chaucer continues:

"And if one did, indeed, so wroth was she
It put her out of all her charity."

So we now understand that she only donated money to show off!

Chaucer's colourful and detailed description of chracter mark a new trend in the literature of that time.

There are other examples of irony in the extract we read. Think about "She'd been respectable throughout her life", and the number of pilgrimages she had been on.

Some people have commented on this character of Chaucer saying that she was the first feminist, encouraging women to break free from their traditional roles. However, taking into consideration the predominant attitude toward women in medieval times, it is more likely that Chaucer used her to warn women from misbehaving!

Whan that aprill with his shoures sote...

Now we've left the Anglo Saxons behind, seen the Norman conquest and how the social structure and language of the people of England changed as a result. Old English interacted with the French of the Normans and the Latin of the Catholic church to become Middle English, and the literature changed accordingly. Bravery and loyalty were still themes, but there was a new interest in the idea of what love is, human or divine. We also see criticism of those in power and the use of irony, both unheard of in Anglo Saxon times.

This week we looked at part of Chaucer's General Prologue to his Canterbury Tales and his ironic approach to those who went on pilgrimages.

Anglo-Saxon literature

So, we have at long last started on our journey through time from the 5th century to the 20th.

This week we (very quickly) covered Anglo-Saxon poetry, and looked at three examples:

an extract from "The Battle of Malden", a poem written by an Anglo-Saxon warrior on losing his leader during a battle with the Vikings; Caedmon's Hymn, composed by an illiterate shepherd during an insiprational dream; and an extract from the epic "Beowulf", dealing with his funeral rites.

What impressions did this very brief introduction to the period leave you with? What affected you the most?

By the way, here is the link to the English Language timeline:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/timelines/language_timeline/index.shtml

Welcome!

Welcome to our course blog for English Literature I and II (2009-2010).
This blog is designed to share your feelings and opinions about the various works we read over the next two terms.
Regular and frequent contribution will help you internalise the material we deal with, and of course will be duly rewarded!!!