Middle English Literature

Unit 1 – Middle English: History and Language

Unit 2 – Early Middle English: Owl, Nightingale, Ancrene

Unit 3 – Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales

Unit 4 – The Gawain Poet: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Unit 5 – Langland's Piers Plowman: 14th Century Vision

Unit 6 – The Pearl Poet: 14th Century Masterpiece

Unit 7 – Middle English Lyrics: Sacred and Secular

Unit 8 – Middle English Drama: Mystery & Morality Plays

Unit 9 – Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur

Unit 10 – Margery Kempe: 15th Century Mystic's Book

Unit 11 – Middle English Romance: Sir Orfeo & King Horn

Unit 12 – Caxton's Press: Early Modern English Begins

## What do you learn in Middle English Literature

Middle English Literature covers works from 1100-1500 CE, including Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. You'll explore themes like chivalry, courtly love, and medieval society. The class digs into the language, literary techniques, and historical context of these texts, helping you understand how they shaped English literature.

## Is Middle English Literature hard?

Middle English Literature can be challenging, mainly because of the language barrier. Reading Middle English feels like decoding a secret code at first. But once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad. The concepts aren't super complex, but you'll need to put in some effort to understand the historical context and cultural references.

## Tips for taking Middle English Literature in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Get a good Middle English dictionary - it'll be your best friend
3. Read texts out loud - it helps with understanding the language
4. Watch adaptations of works like "The Canterbury Tales" to visualize the stories
5. Join a study group to discuss interpretations of the texts
6. Create character maps for complex narratives like "Morte d'Arthur"
7. Listen to Middle English audio recordings to get used to the pronunciation
8. Check out "The Medieval World" documentary series for historical context

## Common pre-requisites for Middle English Literature

1. Introduction to British Literature: This course covers major works of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. It provides a foundation for understanding the evolution of English literature.

2. Old English Literature: This class focuses on literature from the Anglo-Saxon period, including Beowulf. It introduces students to the earliest forms of English and sets the stage for Middle English studies.

## Classes similar to Middle English Literature

1. Renaissance Literature: Explores works from the 16th and 17th centuries, including Shakespeare and Milton. It builds on themes from Middle English and shows how literature evolved.

2. Arthurian Literature: Focuses on the legends of King Arthur across different time periods and cultures. It often includes Middle English works like Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur."

3. Medieval Studies: This interdisciplinary course covers various aspects of medieval life, including literature, history, and art. It provides broader context for Middle English texts.

4. History of the English Language: Traces the development of English from Old English through Middle English to Modern English. It helps students understand the linguistic changes in Middle English texts.

## Majors related to Middle English Literature

1. English Literature: Covers a wide range of literary works across different periods and genres. Students develop critical thinking and writing skills while exploring the evolution of English literature.

2. Medieval Studies: Focuses on various aspects of medieval culture, including literature, history, art, and philosophy. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the Middle Ages.

3. Linguistics: Examines the structure, history, and variation of language. Students study how English evolved from Old English through Middle English to its modern form.

4. Comparative Literature: Analyzes literature from different cultures and languages. Students might compare Middle English works with contemporary texts from other European traditions.

## What can you do with a degree in Middle English Literature?

1. Teacher/Professor: Educate students about medieval literature and culture at high schools or universities. This role involves designing curricula, lecturing, and guiding students through complex texts.

2. Librarian/Archivist: Work with rare books and manuscripts, often in special collections. This job involves preserving, cataloging, and making historical texts accessible to researchers.

3. Museum Curator: Develop exhibitions and educational programs related to medieval culture and literature. Curators research artifacts, write descriptions, and create engaging displays for the public.

4. Editor: Work in publishing, particularly for academic or historical texts. Editors might specialize in medieval literature or broader historical works, ensuring accuracy and readability.

## Middle English Literature FAQs

1. Do I need to be fluent in Middle English to take this course? No, you'll learn to read Middle English as part of the course. Most texts come with glossaries or modern English translations.

2. Are there any field trips in this class? Some professors organize trips to medieval manuscript exhibitions or medieval fairs, but it varies by school and instructor.

3. How much writing is involved in this course? Expect to write several essays analyzing the texts you read. You might also have a longer research paper as a final project.

Literature

1.1 Historical and cultural context of Middle English literature

1.2 Development of the Middle English language

1.3 Major literary trends and genres in Middle English literature

1.4 Transition from Old English to Middle English

2.1 Analysis of The Owl and the Nightingale

2.3 Early Middle English literary techniques and styles

2.2 Themes and structure of Ancrene Wisse

3.1 Chaucer's life and literary influences

3.2 Structure and themes of The Canterbury Tales

3.3 Analysis of selected Canterbury Tales

3.4 Chaucer's impact on Middle English literature

4.3 Arthurian legend in Middle English literature

4.2 Analysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

4.1 The Alliterative Revival and its significance

5.1 Langland's life and literary context

5.2 Structure and themes of Piers Plowman

5.3 Allegory and social criticism in Piers Plowman

6.1 Analysis of Pearl: structure and themes

6.2 Religious symbolism in Pearl

6.3 Comparison of Pearl with other works attributed to the Pearl Poet

7.1 Characteristics of Middle English lyric poetry

7.2 Analysis of secular love lyrics

7.3 Religious lyrics and devotional poetry

7.4 Influence of French and Latin traditions on Middle English lyrics

8.1 Origins and development of medieval drama

8.2 Structure and themes of Mystery Plays

8.4 Staging and performance of medieval drama

8.3 Morality Plays: allegory and didacticism

9.4 Malory's influence on later literature

9.2 Structure and themes of Le Morte d'Arthur

9.3 Arthurian legend in Le Morte d'Arthur

9.1 Malory's life and literary context

10.1 Kempe's life and historical context

10.2 Analysis of The Book of Margery Kempe

10.3 Women's writing and mysticism in the Middle Ages

11.1 Characteristics of Middle English romance

11.2 Analysis of Sir Orfeo

11.4 Comparison of Middle English romance with Continental traditions

11.3 Analysis of King Horn

12.1 Introduction of the printing press to England

12.2 Caxton's role in standardizing English

12.3 Impact of printing on literature and language

12.4 Transition from Middle English to Early Modern English

Browse all Middle English Literature Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next