Week4 MidtermPeriod WorldLiterature

City College of Calamba
Department of Teacher Education
WLIT201- World Literature

Week 4
Bachelor of Elementary Education
INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL LITERATURE
“We owe to the middle ages the two worst inventions of humanity-
romantic love and gunpowder” - Andre Maurois
MEDIEVAL PERIOD (445 C.E. - 1485 C.E.)

 The Middle Ages, Medieval Period,
Dark Ages began after the fall of the
Roman Empire.
 This period ended around the time of

the fall of Constantinople in 1453
and gave way to the new historical
event called the Renaissance.
This period serves as a transition, a

bridge of crossing from the ancient
times to the modern times.
THREE PERIODS OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Also known as the

Dark Ages 1000 C.E- 1300 C.E. 1300 C.E- 1453 C.E.
476 C.E. - 1000 C.E
Early Middle Ages

 Christianity became the preserver of civilization. The Christian
faith became the beacon of hope and light during the Dark Ages.
 Monks converted many Germanic tribes in the faith. They were
the one of the fews who were educated at that time.
 The Roman Catholic church gave
hope to the people and they
began to be powerful as an
institution as well.
 Clovis 1 (466-511) united the
Franks into one kingdom and
he was the first germanic
leader to convert to
Christianity.
Early Middles Ages: The Dark Ages

 A period of decline. There was a sudden lack
of prioritization of education, economic
activities, population, flourishing arts and
language.
 The dominant language of Latin began to
mixed up with other languages.- Spanish and
French
 The achievements of the Romans were
degraded which paved the way for a new
world order.
 Many tribes and small kingdoms emerge
without the existence of a unitary
government.
NOTABLE PEOPLE OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES
Medieval Monks Charles Martel

(688-741)
King of Franks Charlemagne
Defeated the Muslims - Expanded the Frankish kingdom
in the Battle of Tours - Spread Christianity and
in 732 protector of the pope in Rome
- advocated for an increase of
education
NOTABLE PEOPLE OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

 Alfred the Great (849-899 C.E) is considered
the first king of England.
 He helped unify the kingdoms in Britain.
 He fought and repelled the Viking invaders
in colonizing England.
 Otto 1 (912-973 C.E) is considered Emperor

of the Holy Roman Empire.
 He kept a strong support and alliance with
the church.
 He fought and repelled the Magyars in
colonizing Germany.
THE GROWTH OF FEUDALISM
Feudalism - it is a form of a
political and social system in
which local lords control
their own lands but owe
military services and support
to a greater lord or the King.
 Feudalism is based on
land, loyalty and duty.
 In Feudalism, the ownership of land was the basis of power. Land
is exchanged for military service and loyalty.
The High Middle Ages (1000-1300)
• There was a tremendous improvement in

the way the people and the society thrive
during the period.
• During the 14th - 15th centuries, guilds
were established. Guilds refer to the
associations of craftmens within a craft.
• The guilds serve as the institution which
decides whether a certain person is to be
considered as a master.
• There was a notable increase of economic
activities among the people.
• Education also flourished during this time
through the monasteries and universities
established.
The High Middle Ages (1000-1300)

• The Crusades. It refers to the series of
holy wars fought by the Christian knights
against the Muslims.
• The Christians, through the pope
envisioned of regaining the Holy Land
(Jerusalem). Hence, the declaration for a
Holy War.
It is also in this period where kings and nobles began to rise in
conflict against the clergy.
The Late Middle Ages (1300-1453)

• Two major world events contributed to the decline of the era.
 The Hundred Years War - a term used
by the historians to describe the series
of events in the 14th to the 15th century
of conflict between France and England.
 It was fought mainly because of the
claims of the English claims to the
French throne.
 The Bubonic Plague - known as the

black death in the 14th century, causing
approximately 200 million deaths.
LITERATURE DURING THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Introduction to Medieval Literature

Medieval Literature
• The common themes of Literature
during the Medieval Period mainly
fall under the following categories.
• A. Teachings and standards of
the church.
• B. Assessment of one’s
character.
• C. Values of Courtly Love
• D. Code of Chivalry
Courtly Love: A definition
• Courtly Love is an idealized form of love that

enabled a knight and pushed him to fight his
best.
• The rules of the courtly love requires each
knight to fight for a particular lady, and to
gain honor in her name.
• The ideals of chivalry and courtly love are
quite the same as both require knights to
behave and act with honor.
• Courtly love is a religion of love. It shows a
knight’s dedication to a lady (like to the Lords)
and focuses on knight’s deeds and character.
Courtly Love: A definition
• The practice of courtly love began around

1099 C.E. in the regions of modern day
France.
• This was abolished eventually due to its
manner and practices that conflicted the
church life of the people.
• Its ideals include:
• 1. Love for a married person
• 2. Love for an unattainable woman
• 3. Total sacrifice of a wife
• 4. And a great deed performed by lovers
Code of Chivalry
• The Knights Code of Chivalry

• The “Chivalry” comes from “Chevalier” which
literary means a man on top of a horse or
horsemen.
• The code was developed during the time of
Charlemagne.
• It teaches and instructs the knights to defend
the weak, be courteous to all women, be loyal
to their king, and serve God at all times.
End of Week 4

Week4 MidtermPeriod WorldLiterature

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City College of Calamba

Department of Teacher Education

WLIT201- World Literature

INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL LITERATURE

MEDIEVAL PERIOD (445 C.E. - 1485 C.E.)

 This period ended around the time of

This period serves as a transition, a

THREE PERIODS OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD

Also known as the

Early Middle Ages

Early Middles Ages: The Dark Ages

NOTABLE PEOPLE OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

Medieval Monks Charles Martel

NOTABLE PEOPLE OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

 Otto 1 (912-973 C.E) is considered Emperor

THE GROWTH OF FEUDALISM

The High Middle Ages (1000-1300)

• There was a tremendous improvement in

The High Middle Ages (1000-1300)

The Late Middle Ages (1300-1453)

 The Bubonic Plague - known as the

LITERATURE DURING THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD

Introduction to Medieval Literature

Courtly Love: A definition

• Courtly Love is an idealized form of love that

Courtly Love: A definition

• The practice of courtly love began around

• The Knights Code of Chivalry

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