Medieval Literature: Oral Tradition, Epic Poetry, and the Rise of Romance
Medieval Literature: From Oral Tradition to Written Word
The Composition of Medieval Works
Medieval literature aimed to captivate the audience’s imagination and ensure understanding, relying heavily on auditory memory. This resulted in a degree of instability, particularly in genres like poetry, fiction, bestiaries, lapidaries, travelogues, and even guides for virtuous living.
Oral and Written Phenomena
Orality and writing served as cultural communication technologies. This period witnessed a growing focus on vernacular literature.
Minstrel Performance
Jesters and minstrels played crucial roles in medieval entertainment. Minstrels composed and performed lyrical and epic poems, acting as cultural intermediaries.
The Emergence of Written Verse
During the 12th century, the Church sought to reach a wider audience, including those who couldn’t read. This led to a shift from oral to written forms, with writing capturing the nuances of sound.
Throughout the 13th century, written literature continued to develop, both in verse and prose. This was facilitated by the spread of paper.
Medieval Epic Poetry
Epic poetry was a prominent genre, characterized by:
- Focus on a hero: A figure of dignity, possessing exceptional human abilities.
- Action-oriented: The hero demonstrates virtues through courageous deeds.
- Objective and realistic narrative: Set in familiar, everyday environments.
- Linearity and unity of action: The narrative follows the hero’s exploits without digression.
- Verse and stanza as compositional units.
- Oral origins: Linearity aids memorization and understanding.
- Heroic age setting: Narrated events are set in the past.
Epic poetry served to exalt the values of a people or social group.
The Deeds of the Cid
Cantar de Mio Cid, based on the life of Ruy Díaz de Vivar (El Cid), recounts the warrior’s exploits with a blend of historical accuracy and fictional embellishments.
Organization and Themes
The poem is divided into three cantos, structured around a double process of loss and recovery of honor.
The Hero in the Cantar de Mio Cid
The Cid embodies the virtues prized by his community, lacking supernatural powers but excelling in human capabilities. Unlike typical epic villains, the Cid’s antagonists are less clearly defined. He is a nuanced hero, representing a departure from traditional epic archetypes.
A Virtuous Character
The Cid is portrayed as virtuous, known for moderation, prudence, and good sense. He faces trials with wisdom and resignation, avoiding violent responses to injustice. His concern for his followers and generosity to the vanquished further highlight his virtuous nature. Religious piety and family love are also central to his character.
Between Family and Duty
The Cid’s love for his family is evident in the poignant parting scene, the joyous reunion in Valencia, and his reaction to the affront against his daughters. This familial devotion doesn’t diminish his bravery and skill as a soldier, exemplified in the episode of the lion.
The Hero and His Companions
The Cid epitomizes courage and warrior skill. The narrative follows his journey of reclaiming honor. Supporting characters also display heroic traits.
The poem utilizes oral composition techniques like formulas and epithets, characteristic of epic verse.
The New Knights and the Rise of Romance
The New Knights
From the 12th and 13th centuries, knights engaged in adventures in distant lands, fostering a spirit of adventure and courtesy. They were expected to display both strength and elegance.
The Arthurian Hero
Medieval narratives drew from French, British, and Roman sources, encompassing epic, romance, and Greco-Roman myths.
An Adventurous Destiny
Epic heroes perform feats out of duty to God and king, defending their homeland. The knight-errant, however, seeks adventure and the love of his lady, creating an enchanted world of noble pursuits.
Epic poetry connects to a people’s history, celebrating a glorious past. Romance, in contrast, focuses on contemporary behaviors and feelings, offering a subjective and sentimental world with happy endings.
Knightly Honor and Courtly Love
The Round Table serves as a gathering place for knights to share stories and embark on adventures. Knights report their achievements to the king.
The Gentleman and Love
Romance emphasizes courtly love, an escape into fable. Provençal troubadours developed the concept of fine amour, characterized by humility, courtesy, adultery, and the religion of love.
Courtly refinement contrasts with the crudeness of villains. Courtship becomes an art form, with knights striving for perfection. The beloved may feign contempt to test her lover’s fidelity. However, feudal marriages were often utilitarian, contrasting with the passionate, reciprocal love found outside of marriage.