ENG 200 Midterm
Identify three key features of Chivalric Romance. Explain how the features manifest in one of the Romantic texts we've read.
- testing - Chivalric code - a plot that ends where it begins in a ring composition Gawain: interlacing of tests to examine the performative nature of the Chivalric code - reveals the flaws in the Chivalric code but does not attempt to detangle the knot, returning where it began.
humanism + example
A Philosophical shift that occurred as a result of the recovery of classical thinkers that emphasizes human achievement and capability. It was a response to church-centric knowledge and structure. It also emphasized choice, education as a utility of learning, and the decline of feudalism. example: Dr. Faustus reflects humanist values as a scholar constantly striving after more knowledge. He also believes in Elysium instead of Catholic hell, a concept that stems from philosophy. Faustus' ultimate choice to make a deal with the devil also reflects a desire to be "Godlike" while on earth instead of seeking heaven after death
allegory + example
A literary device that functions on two levels: the specific/individual and the general/universal. The indication of an allegory comes in the personification of an abstract concept. example: Seven deadly sins and good and evil angel in Marlowe's Faustus, Death in Chaucer's Pardoner's tale The Good and Evil Angel in Dr Faustus are an allegory because they personify Faustus' doubt regarding the deal he has made with the devil. This is important because it also contributes to and personifies psychomachia, or the battle for the soul, the ultimately moves inward and manifest within Faustus as an individual by the end of the play.
chivalric romance + example
A mode of story usually determined by its structure, as well as a few of its traits. Chivalric romance specifically features a cyclical plot that wraps back to where it began a the beginning (Romance). In terms of chivalry, these stories also feature knights and knightly values, including honor, courtesy, courtly love, loyalty, and bravery. The story also usually features a quest and, by extension, a test of a knight's performative chivalry - sometimes one that exposes the impossibility of the chivalric code example: Gawain features a ring composition with Gawain leaving the court and returning changed after a long journey. They journey also involves testing Gawain's chivalry through a sexual test and a test of bravery (one of which he fails, but the story nonetheless insists on returning with a ring composition) Lanval - Lanval just leaves, Ami saves Lanval. The testing for Lanval stems from his Chivalric dedication to his Amie, but is a subversion of the mode's typical traits.
reformation
A religious reformation often marked by Luther' 95 theses in 1517. This time reflects the end of a single religious truth in the Catholic church and the rise of Protestantism. This also marked the breakdown of a structured religious hierarchy, which included iconoclasm and the destruction of relics and monasteries as individuals sought their own personal relationship with God. This was reinforced by the creation of the printing press alongside the vernacular bible, which allowed people to read religious texts for themselves and develop the Protestant concepts of sola scriptura (only scripture) and sola fide (only faith) to emphasize an emphasis on the individual and the religious text. In The Canterbury Tales, we can see the inklings of the Reformation through Chaucer's critical descriptions of specific religious individuals. The Pardoner is a specifically important individual as a mark of hypocrisy within the Church and the concept of "relics."
Testing + example
An aspect of Chivalric Romance in which a Knight's chivalry is tested to determine if he deserves his title. This is important because Chivalry is performative and must constantly be practiced. Example: Gawain - sexual and bravery testing - he fails the bravery test and it results in humiliation, opening the flaws of the Chivalric Code.
episodic structure + example
An episodic structure occurs to a structure marked by various scenes that are linked together and build to tragedy/comedy. While they differ in terms of plot, they tend to recall other aspects of the story and reinforce themes through subtext. These had a functional purpose in traditional plays, when they would be more conducive to shows with fewer actors. Example: Dr Faustus features an episodic structure that bounces between different "vignette" scenes involving Faustus, Mephistopheles, and other unrelated characters. Sometimes these involve "asides" that don't feature main characters but allude to the main plot. In Dr. Faustus, a comic conversation between two scholars makes up one of these episodes, and they mirror the Good Angel and Evil Angle dynamic.
What are some of the ways in which heroes are defined in Beowulf?
Beowulf is defined by his lineage, and those who came before him - reinforced by ring composition and kennings
How do the religious beliefs of a given location and time period inform our readings of any given text?
Beowulf: has Pagan and Christian elements Canterbury: Catholic, but lots of corruption - satire Southwell: Catholic, focus on Christ Locke: Protestant, apologizing for individual sins, Sola Fide Faustus: Reformation, humanism - religion is not as central, but it is featured in a way that emphasizes Faustus as a character - Protestant
Both Beowulf and Dr. Faustus work on two levels: the individual and the universal. What is the significance of allegory in each of these texts?
Beowulf: points toward importance of lineage in culture and cyclical violence Dr Faustus: point toward humanist values of individual abilities and also provides a universal message to humans
Discuss the difference between Faustus' idea of hell and Mephistophilis' description of it. How do these definitions depart from the traditional Catholic image?
Faustus believes in Elysium - underworld for philosophers Mephistophilis - hell is knowing, hell is everywhere neither reflect the "fire and brimstone" of Catholicism: reflects the end of a singular religious truth - reformation
abject + example
Humanoid character that falls somewhere between human and unhuman, reveals the worst parts of ourselves, revolts readers, basis of horror example: Grendel is distinctly a "hell-brute" or un-human creature in Beowulf, but he receives human he/him pronouns and the narrator gives him specific motivations and thoughts when he attacks the hall. These traits humanize him, but only to a certain point.
Compare the role that chivalry plays in a romantic text to a satirical one.
In Chivalric Romance Chivalry is tested to determine the worth of a Knight. In a satire, Chivalry is exposed as something that is unobtainable for "normal people"
Explain the function of female romantic interests in stories like Lanval and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Lanval - saves Lanval, subversion of Chivalric Romance Gawain - moves the plot forward and also becomes the subject of sexism, her presence exposes the holes in the Chivalric Code
How is chivalry defined in the romance genre? Compare the role of chivalry and how it is expressed differently in Lanval and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Lanval - subversion Gawain - exposing its performative impossibilities involves acts of courtesy, bravery, courtly love, and general knightly codes of conduct.
What is a litote? Explain how it can be seen in one of the stories we have read.
Litote: dramatic understatement, serves irony Beowulf: makes Beowulf's actions seem even more heroic
ring composition + example
Refers the structure of a work that occurs in cycles. This can take place on a level as large as an entire plot and as small as a stanza that ends with the same word that started it. example: Beowulf begins and ends with a funeral. The funeral can demonstrates the cyclical violence of this society and also detract from Beowulf's individuality, promoting him as an "everyman" and emphasizing his lineage over his individual journey/characteristics, which ultimately reinforces societal values.
alliteration + example
Repetition of initial consonant sounds, adds to rhythm and continuity example: Beowulf is highly alliterative, and it recalls the spoken tradition of the poem and also reflects on its cyclical storytelling and ring composition
Foreshadowing + example
When something in the future is alluded to in the present text. Example: Beowulf - events like Beowulf's death and the burning of the hall are foreshadowed before they occur. This highlights the cyclical nature of violence in this society and its ring composition
interlacing + example
When things weave together and become combined beyond the point of detangling - knots example: Gawain - interlacing of tests, interlacing of overall plot against the court with Gawain as merely a pawn - reveals the flaws in the Chivalric code but does not attempt to detangle the knot.
Kenning + example
a compound word. When two words are connected via an em dash example: calling Grendel a "hell-brute" reinforces how "evil" he is and makes the stakes more severe - also connects to his lineage.
foils + example
a pair of characters, events, settings, or other literary elements which are set up in artistic contrast to one another in order to highlight their significant differences. example: Summoner and Parson in the Canterbury Tales. The Parson is described as nearly perfect compared to the Summoner, who is corrupted and physically described in terms evokative of decay. This foil allows Chaucer to convey how the Church Should be compared to how the Church Is.
bob and wheel + example
a short line of one, two or three syllables followed by four rhymed lines, closes stanza and looks toward the future example: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - one specific Bob and Wheel discusses a decrepit old woman who lives in the King's palace, which is significant later when the Green Knight reveals that she orchestrated the plot against Gawain and his testing.
psychomachia + example
the battle for the soul, extension of allegory example: In Dr Faustus, the Good and Evil Angel represent Faustus' doubt toward bargaining away his soul to the devil. They constantly argue over Faustus' ability to repent for his sins. By the end of the play, this conflict merges with Faustus' body as he begins to argue with himself over his ability to repent and confuses his discussion of God and the Devil.
satire + example
the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Often this involves hypocrisy and a political/social commentary example: In the Canterbury Tales, the story initially establishes a devote religious pilgrimage. Through description and hypocrisy, however, Chaucer undercuts the devote facade of the travelers and reveals some of the shortcomings regarding corruption within the church.
blazon + example
when a female character's physicality is lushly described from head to toe example: Lanval - his amie is described in vivid detail as she arrives to save Lanval
