11.4 Comparison of Middle English romance with Continental traditions

Middle English romance drew heavily from French traditions, blending Arthurian legends, courtly love, and chivalry. These stories captivated audiences with tales of knights, quests, and forbidden love, often adapting continental themes to reflect English values and concerns.

The comparison reveals shared narrative techniques and themes, but also highlights unique aspects of Middle English romance. These include a greater focus on religious elements and the lives of lower nobility, reflecting the changing social landscape of medieval England.

Continental Romance Traditions

French Romance Genres

Top images from around the web for French Romance Genres

• 

  File:King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: KING ARTHUR & THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Charlemagne - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: KING ARTHUR & THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for French Romance Genres

• 

  File:King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: KING ARTHUR & THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Charlemagne - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  THE GRANDMA'S LOGBOOK ---: KING ARTHUR & THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• French romance developed distinct genres based on subject matter including the Matter of Britain, Matter of France, and Matter of Rome
• Matter of Britain focused on stories related to King Arthur, his knights, and the legendary history of Britain (Lancelot, Perceval)
• Matter of France centered around Charlemagne, his paladins, and their battles against the Saracens (The Song of Roland)
• Matter of Rome drew inspiration from classical antiquity, retelling stories from Greek and Roman mythology and history (Roman de Troie, Roman de Thèbes)

Influence on Middle English Romance

• Continental romance traditions, particularly French romance, significantly influenced the development of Middle English romance
• Many Middle English romances were translations, adaptations, or inspired by French sources (Sir Orfeo, Floris and Blancheflour)
• French romance introduced narrative techniques, themes, and motifs that were adopted and adapted by Middle English authors
• The popularity of French romance in England was facilitated by the Norman Conquest and the use of French as a literary language among the nobility

Courtly Love and Chivalry

Courtly Love Conventions

• Courtly love became a central theme in both French and Middle English romance, depicting idealized relationships between knights and ladies
• Courtly love conventions included the knight's devotion to his lady, the elevation of the lady as a paragon of virtue, and the knight's willingness to undergo trials to prove his love
• Courtly love often involved a tension between the knight's duty to his lord and his devotion to his lady, creating dramatic conflict (Lancelot and Guinevere)
• The concept of courtly love was influenced by troubadour poetry and the ideas of fin'amor (refined love) that emerged in southern France

Chivalric Code and Cultural Adaptations

• The chivalric code, a set of ideals and behaviors expected of knights, was another key element in both French and Middle English romance
• Chivalry emphasized qualities such as bravery, loyalty, courtesy, and honor, which were exemplified by the knights in romance narratives
• The chivalric code was adapted to reflect the values and concerns of different cultures, such as the emphasis on religious devotion in some Middle English romances (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight)
• The ideals of courtly love and chivalry were not always consistent, leading to tensions and conflicts within romance narratives

Narrative and Thematic Comparisons

Arthurian Legend in French and Middle English Romance

• The Arthurian legend was a popular subject in both French and Middle English romance, with many works focusing on the adventures of Arthur, his knights, and the Quest for the Holy Grail
• French Arthurian romances, such as those by Chrétien de Troyes, established many of the key characters, themes, and motifs associated with the legend (Lancelot, Perceval, the Grail Quest)
• Middle English authors adapted and expanded upon the French Arthurian tradition, often incorporating distinctly English elements and concerns (the Alliterative Morte Arthure, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight)
• The treatment of the Arthurian legend in French and Middle English romance reflects the cultural, social, and political contexts in which these works were produced

Comparative Narrative Techniques and Themes

• French and Middle English romances employ similar narrative techniques, such as the use of interlaced storylines, episodic structures, and symbolic imagery
• Both traditions often feature themes of identity, transformation, and the relationship between the individual and society
• However, Middle English romances sometimes diverge from their French counterparts in their treatment of themes and characters
• For example, some Middle English romances place greater emphasis on religious themes, such as the importance of faith and divine intervention (Sir Isumbras)
• Middle English romances also tend to focus more on the lower nobility and the emerging middle class, reflecting the social and economic changes in medieval England