Medieval Romance

MS30109 DawonSeong Medieval Romance Le Morted’Arthur The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

Medieval Romance?

Romance is an adventure tale that features extravagant characters, exotic places, heroic events, passionate love, and supernatural forces. Chivalry

Conventions of Medieval Romance 1. Romance Hero / Idealized noble characters 2. Quest: journey 3. Exotic Setting 4. Supernatural Elements 5. Hidden or Mistaken Identities

From Le MorteD’Arthur The Crowning of Arthur Duke of Tintagil King UtherPendragon Lady Igraine Merlin The Prophet

From Le MorteD’Arthur The Crowning of Arthur Arthur the Baby King UtherPendragon Merlin The Prophet

Supernatural Elements Sir Ulfius had not ridden far when he was accosted by a hideous beggar. “For whom are you searching?” asked the beggar; but Sir Ulfius ignored him. “Very well,” said the beggar, “I will tell you: you are searching for Merlin, and you need look no further, for I am he. Now go to King Uther and tell him that I will make Igraine his if he will reward me as I ask; and even that will be more to his benefit than to mine.” “Your child is destined for glory, and I want him brought to me for his baptism. I shall then give him into the care of foster parents who can be trusted not to reveal his identity before the proper time.” Merlin The Prophet

Supernatural Elements They were confronted by a marble block into which had been thrust a beautiful sword. The block was four feet square, and the sword passed through a steel anvil which had been struck in the stone, and which projected a foot from it. The anvil had been inscribed with letters of gold: WHOSO PULLETH OUTE THIS SWERD OF THIS STONE AND ANVYLD IS RIGHTWYS KYNGE BORNE OF ALL BRYTAYGNE

Idealized noble characters “ Well spoken,” said he king; “it was I who impersonated the duke, so the child is mine.” He then told Igraine the story of how Merlin had arranged it, and Igraine was overjoyed to discover that the father of her child was now her husband. Lady Igraine

Hidden or Mistaken Identities “ I shall then give him into the care of foster parents who can be trusted not to reveal his identity before the proper time.” “ My lord,” Sir Ector replied, “there is only one man living who can draw the sword from the stone, and he is the true-born King of Britain.” Sir Ector then told Arthur the story of his birth and upbringing. Arthur the Baby

Chivalry The nobles, knowing in their hearts that the commoners were right, all knelt before Arthur and begged forgiveness for having delayed his succession for so long. Arthur forgave them and then, offering his sword at the high altar, was dubbed first knight of the realm. The coronation took place a few days later, when Arthur swore to rule justly, and the nobles swore him their allegiance.

From Le MorteD’Arthur Sir Launcelot du Lake Sir Launcelot Knights of the Round Table

Quest: journey One day, Sir Launcelot, feeling weary of his life at the court, and of only playing at arms, decided to set forth in search of adventure.

Exotic Setting “Sir, I can tell you: less than a mile from here stands a well-moated castle. On the left of the entrance you will find a ford where you can water your horse, and across from the ford a large tree from which hang the shields of many famous knights. Below the shields hangs a caldron, of copper and adventure-such, indeed, that if you survive it, you will prove yourself the foremost knight in these parts for many years.”

Exaggerated Behavior Now the two knights hurled themselves at each other like two wild bulls; swords and shields clashed together, and often their swords drove into the flesh. Then sometimes one, sometimes the other, would stagger and fall, only to recover immediately and resume the contest. At last, however, Sir Tarquine grew faint and unwittingly lowered his shield. Sir Launcelot was swift to follow up his advantage and, dragging the other down to his knees, unlaced his helmet and beheaded him.

Chivalry Of all his knights one was supreme, both in prowess at arms and in nobility of bearing, and this was Sir Launcelot, who was also the favorite of Queen Gwynevere, to whom he had sworn oaths of fidelity. “ God bless you, my lady; and when the time comes, I promise I shall not fail you.” “ A hard choice! Understand that I choose none of you, lewd sorceresses that you are; rather will I die in this cell. But were I free, I would take pleasure in proving it against any who would champion you that Queen Gwynevere is the finest lady of this land.”

“Sir Launcelot du Lake. Today I have fought to vindicate the honor of the knights of the Round Table, and I know that among Sir Tarquine’s prisoners are two of my brethren, Sir Lyonel and Sir Ector, also your own brothe, Sir Gawain. According to the shields there are also Sir Brandiles, Sir Galyhuddis, Sir Kay, Sir Alydukis, Sir Marhaus, and many others. Please release the prisoners and ask them to help themselves to the caste treasure. Give them all my greetings and say I will see them at the next Pentecost. And please request Sir Ector and Sir Lyonel to go straight to the court and await me there.”

Medieval Romance Retold More plain, contemporary language Vivid sensory images Rich figurative languages By John Steinback

From The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights King Arthur Guinevere Sir Launcelot

Before his friend could reach the center of the hall, Sir Launcelot wriggled to his feet and approached the dais. “My lord king,” he said, “forgive me if I ask leave to go. An old wound has broken open.” Arthur smiled down on him. “I have the same old wound,” he said, “We’ll go together. Perhaps you will come to the tower room when we have attended to our wounds.” And he signed the trumpets to end the gathering, and the bodyguards to clear the hall. Sir Launcelot King Arthur

Detailed Descriptions Arthur on his dais sat very still and did not fiddle with his bread, and beside him sat lovely Guinevere, still as a painted statue of herself. Only her inward eyes confessed her vagrant thoughts. The queen was lovely in the firelight, all lean, down-flowing lines of green samite. Their bodies locked together as though a trap had sprung. Their mouths met, and each devoured the other. Each frantic heartbeat at the walls of ribs trying get to the other until their held breaths burst out and Lancelot, dizzied, found the door and blundered down the stairs. And he was weeping bitterly. She put her fingers on his arm and a searing shock ran through his body, and his mouth opened in amazement at a hollow ache that pressed upward against his ribs and shortened his breath. Guinevere

Medieval Romance