3.2 Allegory and symbolism in medieval literature

Medieval allegory was a powerful literary tool, using characters and symbols to convey deeper meanings. It made complex ideas accessible to a largely illiterate population, teaching moral and religious lessons through engaging stories.

Allegory allowed writers to explore abstract concepts and critique society without directly challenging authority. Common figures included personified virtues, symbolic animals, and biblical parallels, all working together to create multi-layered narratives with hidden messages.

Allegory in Medieval Literature

Definition of allegory in literature

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• Literary device uses characters, events, and symbols to convey hidden or deeper meaning
• Teaches moral, religious, or political lessons
• Explores complex ideas in accessible and engaging way
• Prevalent in medieval literature due to Church influence and desire to convey spiritual truths
  • Makes abstract concepts more concrete and understandable to largely illiterate population
  • Enables writers to comment on social and political issues without directly criticizing those in power

Common allegorical figures and symbols

• Abstract concepts personified (virtues and vices)
  • Lady Fame in Chaucer's "The House of Fame" represents fleeting nature of worldly recognition
• Animals symbolize human qualities or behaviors
  • Fox in "The Nun's Priest's Tale" represents cunning and deception
• Biblical figures and events parallel contemporary situations
  • Pilgrims in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" represent different aspects of medieval society and their spiritual journeys
• Objects or places imbued with symbolic meaning
  • Garden in "The Romance of the Rose" represents pursuit of love and challenges faced in attaining it

Interpretation of allegorical messages

• Identify literal and figurative levels of meaning within text
  • Literal level: surface-level story or narrative
  • Figurative level: underlying themes, morals, or critiques conveyed
• Analyze actions, attributes, and interactions of allegorical characters
  • Represent abstract ideas, societal roles, or human qualities
  • Interaction between characters in "The Parlement of Foules" comments on nature of love and choices people make in pursuing it
• Examine symbolism of objects, settings, and events within narrative
  • Look for patterns, repetition, and associations that suggest deeper meanings
  • In "The Divine Comedy," different levels of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise represent consequences of sin and path to spiritual redemption

Allegory vs religious teachings

• Reinforces Christian doctrine and values
  • "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan allegorizes spiritual journey of believer towards salvation
• Serves as tool for moral instruction and guidance
  • "Piers Plowman" by William Langland uses allegorical characters to critique corruption in Church and society, while promoting virtues of honest labor and spiritual purity
• Influenced by historical and cultural context
  • Religious and social norms of time influence creation and interpretation of texts
  • Prevalence of allegory in medieval literature attributed to pervasive influence of Church and belief in divine order of universe