The Anglo-Saxon EraThe Anglo-Saxon Era449 - 1066449 - 1066

Glory in BattleGlory in Battle

The Anglo-Saxon EraThe Anglo-Saxon Era449 - 1066449 - 1066

Celts & Britons – original inhabitants Celts & Britons – original inhabitants 449 – Angles, Saxons & Jutes settled in England 449 – Angles, Saxons & Jutes settled in England

from North; Danes invaded later (Germanic)from North; Danes invaded later (Germanic) Pagan – worshipped Germanic gods and fatePagan – worshipped Germanic gods and fate Romans Romans Christianity Christianity books books Oral tradition recorded by Christian monksOral tradition recorded by Christian monks Characteristics of poetry:Characteristics of poetry:

– Subjects: Glory, battle, treasure, ocean travel, FateSubjects: Glory, battle, treasure, ocean travel, Fate– Tone: Heroic, tragic, bellicoseTone: Heroic, tragic, bellicose– Form: Narrative, alliterative poetry (not rhyming)Form: Narrative, alliterative poetry (not rhyming)– Kenning – 2 words in place of 1 (whale-road, life house)Kenning – 2 words in place of 1 (whale-road, life house)

The InvasionsThe Invasions

Anglo-Saxon LiteratureAnglo-Saxon Literature

The Book of The Book of KellsKells

faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Readings/wave/beo03p.wav

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The Medieval PeriodThe Medieval Period

The Age of The Age of ChivalryChivalry

The Medieval PeriodThe Medieval Period1066 - 14851066 - 1485

1066 – Norman Conquest: William the 1066 – Norman Conquest: William the Conquerer brought French language, Conquerer brought French language, customs (chivalry) and government customs (chivalry) and government (feudalism)(feudalism)

Feudalism = 3 classes: nobility, Feudalism = 3 classes: nobility, clergy, peasantry; religion dominated clergy, peasantry; religion dominated

Legends – King Arthur and Robin HoodLegends – King Arthur and Robin Hood 1348-49 – Plague killed 1/3 European 1348-49 – Plague killed 1/3 European

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Medieval LegendsMedieval Legends

The Medieval BalladThe Medieval Ballad

Form: Narrative poem; originated Form: Narrative poem; originated in oral tradition; often set to in oral tradition; often set to music, usually quatrains (abcb)music, usually quatrains (abcb)

Subjects: Loyalty, Christianity, Subjects: Loyalty, Christianity, battle, chivalry (focus is on plot battle, chivalry (focus is on plot only) only)

Tone: Usually tragic, often Tone: Usually tragic, often supernatural, dutiful, heroicsupernatural, dutiful, heroic

The RenaissanceThe Renaissance1485 – 16601485 – 1660

Rebirth of KnowledgeRebirth of Knowledge

The RenaissanceThe Renaissance1485 – 16601485 – 1660

““Rebirth” of classical knowledge moved north from Italy Rebirth” of classical knowledge moved north from Italy Tudor Dynasty – patrons of arts and sciencesTudor Dynasty – patrons of arts and sciences Gutenburg and Caxton increased literacyGutenburg and Caxton increased literacy Reformation split church – Protestant / CatholicReformation split church – Protestant / Catholic Highly structured & stylized designs in art & lit.Highly structured & stylized designs in art & lit.Characteristics of poetry:Characteristics of poetry:

Form: Lyric poem, highly stylized – every syllable Form: Lyric poem, highly stylized – every syllable countscounts

Subject: Ideal love, classical allusionsSubject: Ideal love, classical allusionsTone: Respectful, impassioned, dutifulTone: Respectful, impassioned, dutiful

Medieval v. Renaissance ArtMedieval v. Renaissance Art

The SonnetThe Sonnet

Most popular form of poetry in Most popular form of poetry in RenaissanceRenaissance

Meter: Iambic PentameterMeter: Iambic PentameterRhyme Scheme:Rhyme Scheme:

Petrarchan / Italian – first form: ABBA Petrarchan / Italian – first form: ABBA ABBA CDDC CC ABBA CDDC CC Octet – First 8 lines, sets up the storyOctet – First 8 lines, sets up the storySestet – Second 6 lines, tells feelings / Sestet – Second 6 lines, tells feelings /

actions / outcomesactions / outcomesAdapted by Shakespeare to form English Adapted by Shakespeare to form English

sonnet: ABAB CDCD EFEF GGsonnet: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG