CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MEDIEVAL LITERATURE IN ENGLISH:

(1066-1485)

Part 2

· The Roman Catholic Church was one of the major unifying factors of the middle Ages. The church's decisions had a significant impact on people from all social backgrounds and professions.

· It was also a time of creative and cultural accomplishment, with the majority of peasants becoming serfs to the feudal lords.

· The church taught Latin to the children of the wealthy noble families.

· Children from low-income families learnt how to take care of the house and work in the fields.

· One of the main characteristics of the middle Ages was slavery. Manors were the name given to the lords. Peasants were typically the slaves or serfs of these manors, which were typically owned by landlords.

· The Christian idea that the universe is an orderly realm governed by an all-knowing, limitless God characterizes this era.

· There was relatively little medical expertise. Consequently, superstition, myth, and folklore dominated health care in general. People thought that certain illnesses were caused by "sins of the soul" and that foul scents were the source of disease.

· Even churches stated that "illness" was God's way of punishing people.

· Some believed that disease was brought on by the moon, stars, or evil spirits.

· In the medieval ages, art and music were significant.

· Festivals were frequent. Dice, checkers, and chess were among the games played by nobles. Outdoor sports like soccer, stickball, and hockey were more popular among peasants.

· The literary works of the Middle Ages included

· Medieval Literature

· The works of Geoffrey Chaucer, William Langland, Margaret Kempe, Sir Gawain, Everyman, Julian of Norwich, and numerous more are examples of medieval literature.

Drama in Middle ages

· Greek and European cultures primarily employed drama for religious purposes, and Greek plays depicted various facets of Greek religion.

· These plays served to honor and emphasize the lessons that the gods were trying to teach the people, not to entertain.

· Plays in medieval drama fall into three categories. In medieval literature, they are often referred to as the "3Ms."
1. Mystery plays
2. Miracles plays
3. Morality plays

· Mystery plays

i. Since the first actors were the clergy, mystery plays get their name from the French
ii. The Bible or biblical events were the main subject of these plays' narratives.
iii. The plays, which were frequently presented in a cycle, were based on biblical scenes and tales. The fall of the Angels and Judgment Day are examples of cycles. Showing plays about fall and the Redemption was a significant part of the mystery cycle.
iv. Latin was used to write and perform earlier plays.

· The Miracle Plays

i. Rather of telling Bible stories, miracle plays focused on the lives of saints and martyrs.
ii. The 12th century saw the development of these plays. In reality, though, the terms are interchangeable.
iv. During fairs and holidays, church plays were highly attended.
iv. The term "liturgical plays" applied to both mystery and miracle plays.

· Morality Plays

i. The 15th century saw the emergence of morality plays. Morality plays were different from Mystery and Miracle in that they emphasized ordinary persons rather than the Bible or the saints.
ii. The fight of man against evil was the topic of these plays.
iii. Metaphor was employed in morality plays. Medieval drama frequently used allegory, which is the symbolic portrayal of a message or meaning through the personification of concepts and values, vices and virtues.
iv.Dr. Faustus's description of the seven deadly sins, for instance.