EPICS LYRICAL RELIGIOUS ROMANCES MYSTERY PLAYS MORALITY PLAYS

PERIOD Old English Period Old English Period Old English Period Middle English Middle English Middle English
(5th century – 1066) (5th century – 1066) (5th century – 1066) Period Period Period
(1066- 14th century) (1066- 14th century) (1066- 14th century)
DEFINITION Long written poems Poem, usually short, Type of prose and Plays based on the Allegorical sermons
about heroic which expresses the verse narrative bible, performed by which use
exploits/deeds/feats. feelings and thoughts about fantastic guildsmen characters to
of a single speaker. stories, centered on personify
Elegy: a poem of a chivalric figure abstractions, they
mourning or song of who goes on a show man’s
lamentation. quest/journey. temptations and
Expresses grief the process to
towards the loss of obtain salvation.
goods, glory, or They were
people. Usually, past performed by paid
is glorified. actors.
THEME/S Heroic deeds, war, Exile, loss, heartbreak, Knight’s quest, Bible stories.
journey suffering, banishment, courtly love,
alienation + isolation, crusades,
grief Christianity.
TONE Lofty (serious). Sad, nostalgic, Praiseworthy. Sarcastic, satiric. Serious and
emotional, lofty, uplifting.
reminiscent,
hyperbolic.
PURPOSE Encourage a spirit of Express feelings and Moral purpose. Entertain with Didactic (teach a
patriotism, transmit thoughts of a single comedic elements moral lesson),
a tradition from one speaker. and teach a lesson entertain.
generation to through Bible
another, supply verses.
people with models
of ideal heroic
behaviour.
CHARACTER/S Epics are centered One character that Chivalric knight Abstractions.
on a heroic figure, expresses how they (with heroic
usually a warrior, feel, think or perceive qualities, well
 who faces the world. respected, who has
opponents/obtacles high regard and
and performs respect for women,
courageous deeds. and must overcome
This hero’s action obstacles and
may determine their complete tasks to
fate or their become a better
community’s. The Christian) distressed
deeds require damsels, monsters.
heroism, spirit and
bravery.
DEVICES Rhythm, kennings, Journey motif Alliteration, Journey Allegory, label
alliteration, rapidity (symbolizes speaker’s repetition, (metaphorical, names or
of movement, spiritual yearnings), personification, related to personal aptronymics.
repetition. narratorial/experienc dream convention. growth, self-
e I (make people realization).
relate to the speaker),
hyperbaton, kennings,
alliteration,
repetition.
ELEMENTS Christian (Christian Christian (mentions of Primarily religious Supernatural (out of Religious and
influence), pagan (AS God, Lord, faith), (mentions of the ordinary, humorous (slapstick
believed in multiple pagan (fate, destiny). God/creator, Jesus). represent obstacles comedy)
deities related to and evil), Christian
animals and nature), (teach a lesson
supernatural regarding
(obstacles the temptations).
character has to
overcome)
STRUCTURE Written in verse. Mostly in verse.
Primary epic or folk
epic (also primitive
or traditional epic),
initially oral.