Medieval Literature: Society, Culture, and Key Themes
Introduction to Medieval Literature
In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire fell to various groups often referred to as barbarians, who occupied its provinces (e.g., France by the Franks, Italy by the Ostrogoths, England by the Angles and Saxons). The period from the late 5th to the 15th or 16th century is known as the Middle Ages. This era generally concluded with the discovery of America (1492) in most European countries, although cultural shifts began earlier in places like Italy, around the 13th or 14th century.
Medieval Society Structure
Medieval society was rigidly structured into estates, with limited mobility between them:
- Nobility: Devoted to warfare. The king granted them land and power. Nobles, in turn, could lease land to others, creating feudal ties. This socio-economic system is known as feudalism. The nobility looked down upon manual labor.
- Clergy: Responsible for prayer and religious indoctrination. The clergy was the primary literate class, often proficient in languages like Latin, Greek, Castilian, and French. Monasteries served as crucial cultural centers, akin to early high schools and universities, where classical texts were copied and translated. Culture was preserved within monasteries and churches. The clergy did not typically work for monetary gain but received support, often through taxes or tithes.
- Common People: The largest estate, comprising peasants and artisans. They worked the land or produced crafts, supporting the upper estates. Largely illiterate, they endured hardships like plagues and wars. Their worldview was often theocentric, placing hope primarily in God.
Life and Developments
Life for the nobility often centered around medieval castles, which served as residences, administrative centers, and refuges during wartime, protecting the lord and those who had pledged fealty. Castles hosted feasts, tournaments, and other social events.
Around the 13th century, towns and villages grew, often near castles. This period saw the rise of the bourgeoisie, a class involved in trade and crafts (like wool exploitation), particularly prominent in England, France, and Italy, though less so in Spain.
Significant historical events shaped the era, including:
- The Crusades: A series of religious wars, primarily initiated by European Christians aiming to regain control of Holy Land sites like Jerusalem. These campaigns profoundly influenced medieval culture and literature.
- The Black Death: A devastating plague that swept through Europe starting around 1348, causing massive mortality (estimated over 50,000 in some accounts, though likely millions across Europe).
Medieval Literary Characteristics
Medieval literature reflects the turbulent times and societal structure:
- Themes of Warfare: The prevalence of conflict led to the development of epic poetry celebrating warrior heroes, such as “The Song of Roland” (French) and “The Poem of the Cid” (Spanish).
- Popular and Oral Tradition: Much literature originated in popular storytelling and was transmitted orally before being written down.
- Religious Influence: Religion permeated literature. “The Bible” and the Gospels were major thematic sources. Literature was often theocentric.
- Anonymity: Authors frequently did not sign their works, sometimes viewed as an act of humility or devotion to God rather than seeking personal fame.
- Didactic Purpose: Literature often aimed to teach moral or religious lessons. The epic taught heroic exploits, while works associated with the “Mester de Clerecía” (learned poetry, often by clerics) had a clear didactic and moralizing intent.
- Use of Fables: Greco-Roman and Oriental fables were common sources. These stories, often featuring animals, conveyed a moral (moraleja) applicable to human life.
- Learned and Festive Poetry: Alongside religious and heroic literature, there existed works by learned individuals, sometimes students known as Goliards, who created festive, satirical, or amorous compositions, often in Latin.