Background:
The Normans who were residing in Normandy France defeated the Anglo-Saxon king at the Battle of Hastings 1066 and conquered England. It was true that before the Norman Conquest the Anglo-Saxons has a body of native literature which was superior to any European vernacular. Then Normans came and fought a war against them. The Conquest of Normans resulted a wholesome awakening of national life. Anglo-Saxons were defeated and they felt that they should join their hands with Normans.
Soon, they united in a common hope. And, the people suddenly inspired by a new vision of a greater future under the kingdom of Normans. With the passage of time, Anglo-Saxons lost their initial hostility to the new comers. They became part and parcel of one nation under the passions of nationalism. The Normans carried soldiers, artisans and traders with them. They also called scholars from foreign countries to revive knowledge.
Themes and Characteristics of Middle English Literature:
- Romance
- Social satire
- Religion
- No Originality
- Translated works
- Oral literature because of lack of printing facilities
- Chivalry
Language: French and Latin in imposition and disregard of English.
Major writers: Langland, Gower, Chaucer, Occlane, Hawes, Skelton, Henryson, Dunbar.
Literature and Authors of Renaissance Period
The Romances:
Key works: King Arthur, War of Troy, Mythical doings of Charlemagne and Alexander the Great. The romances were the most popular form of English literature during the Middle English period. They dealt with the stories of King Arthur, The War of Troy, Mythical doings of Charlemagne and of Alexander the Great.
The Miracle Plays:
A play with an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. Enormous cycle of sacred history, beginning with the creation of man, his fall and banishment from the Garden of Eden and Old Testament and life of Christ etc.
The Morality plays
In these plays the uniform theme is lie struggle between the powers of good and evil or the mastery of the soul of man.
William Langland (poet) 1332-?
A vision of Piers the Plowman. This poem is this a satire on the corrupt religious practices. Throws light on the ethical problem of the day, the feudal system in his ideal.
John Gower (poet) 1325-1408
A great stylist, represents the English as the language of that courtly medieval poetry which had raised in France, narrative poet. Confession Mantis is his great work.
Geoffrey Chaucer 1340-1345
He is called the father of English poetry. His education as a poet was three folded. Part of it came from French and Italian literature. Part of it came from French and Italian literature. Part of it came from his own life. Chaucer’s works fall into three periods.
First Period 1359-1372
He imitated French models, particularly the famous and very long poem “Le Roman De La Rose” of which he made a translation 'Romaunt of the Rose’. This poem which gives an intimate introduction to the medieval French romances and allegories of courtly love, is the embryo out of which all Chaucer poetry grows. His other two books are the Book of the Duchess & Complaint Unto Pity.
Second Period: 1372-1385
This period shows the influence of Italian literature, especially of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’ and Boccaccio’s poems. His other books are the Parliament of Fowls, Troilus and Criseyde, The Story of Griselda, & the House of Fame.
Third Period 1386-1400
It is also named as English period. He threw off foreign influences and showed native origin. His books are the Legend of Good Woman & the Canterbury Tales. He removed poetry from the region of metaphysics and theology.
Chaucer’s contribution to English Language and Literature:
“Chaucer found his English a dialect and left it a language”
Before him, there were four dialects of English. Out of these four dialects, he adopted East Midland Dialect to write his poetry. All his successors followed him and wrote their works in East Midland Dialect. It is important to know that Latin was considered the universal language and was spoken by learned people. French was spoken in courts. It was the language of “Office”. At that time, Chaucer adopted English, which was his courageous act. In this way Chaucer has contributed in English literature.
He also contributed in the versification of English Poetry. He did not copy the old fashioned alliterative measures but substituted following rules to write his own verse. All lines should have the same number of syllables, End-rime and Absence of alliteration or frequent repetition. He was the first person to introduce rules and regulations to write poetry. In this manner, he contributed in versification.
He introduces a new dress, a new body, and a new soul to English Poetry. He introduces the term “Realism”, because he is the first to portray actual life in its true essence. He took his poetic material from the observation of daily life. In this way, he contributed in the content of the poetry. His characters are universal. His humor, geniality, freshness and tolerance have contributed a lot in shaping the characters as life like in his work, “Canterbury Tales”.
For the first time in English literature, he introduced characterization, plot building, scenes and other dramatic elements. For his dramatic elements, he is known as the contributor in English drama before the drama was born and English novel before the novel was born. Several of his tales are called novels in miniature. Chaucer has portrayed all his intellectual, emotional, and imaginary experiences through his characters. He is truly both a master and a servant of English Literature and Language.
Chaucer’s Successors:
After Chaucer, a decline in English poetry for about one hundred years is observed. The years from 1400 to the Renaissance is a period hollow literature. There are only a few minor poets, the imitators and successors of Chaucer, who write during this period and called themselves Scottish Chaucerian. No writer of genius is born during this period. It caused the decline of literature. Chaucer’s successors are Occieeve, Lydgate, Hawes, Skelton Henryson, Dunbar and Douglas. They all do little but copied Chaucer and they represented an era of mediocrity in English literature.
