3. Langland and Chaucer

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Chapter

William Langland

Background

The second half of the 14th century marked the deterioration and decline of feudalism in England.

The big economic and political changes had their impact upon literature.

English literature flourished after three centuries of comparative lull in this period. William Langland

1332—1400

朗格兰

―Piers the Plowman‖—his masterpiece

An allegory: A tale in verse or prose in which characters, actions, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. An allegory has an literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.

--guidance book, p383

This is a story about four people named Jack, Lily, Michael, and David. There was an important job to be done and Jack was sure that Lily would do it. Michael could have done it, but David did it. Lily got angry about this, because it was Jack's job. Jack thought Michael could do it, but David realized that Jack wouldn't do it. It ended up that Jack blamed Lily when David did what Michael could have done.

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about this, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. Piers the Plowman

The exposure of the ruling class: all kinds of parasites

The story of the Cat and Rats

The marriage of Lady Meed

The condition of the Peasants

The Search for Truth

The class nature of Piers: conservative

Piers the Plowman

A long poem of over 7000 lines.

In the old alliterative verse: three alliterative words in each line.

In the form of a series of visions.

The dignity of honest labor is highly praised.

Laboring people are the nearest to Truth.

Piers the Plowman

Social significance:

A classic in popular literature

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It kindled toiling people’s sense of human dignity and equality before God.

It played a great part in arousing the rising in 1381

Artistic Features

One of the greatest of English poems.

In the form of dream vision.

Symbolism is used.

A realistic picture of medieval England.

Chapter 5

The English Ballads

Ballads

Ballad– the literature of the English people in the medieval time.

Ballad:

A story told in song, usually in 4-line stanzas, with the second and fourth lines rhymed. Refrains are added sometimes.

In English and Scottish dialects.

Ballads

The outlook of English common people in feudal society is reflected in ballads. Subjects: p17

Robin Hood Ballads

---dealing with Robin Hood and his men and their activities

Robin Hood

A valiant outlaw, famous in archery, living under the greenwood tree with his merry men, taking from the rich and giving to the poor, waging war against bishops and archbishops, and constantly hunted by the sheriffs, whom he constantly outwits. p18 Robin Hood

Robin Hood

Origin

Partly historical and partly legendary character.

The fleeing of English peasants to the forest in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries to avoid feudal oppression.

The activities of the organized armed outlawry by these peasants against their chief oppressors.

The outlaws’ desire t help the poor and right the wrong and to live a life of quietness free from tyranny.

The Character of Robin Hood

P18-19

Significance of Robin Hood ballads

They are important specimens of English literary heritage.

The hopes and fears, loves and hates, as well as the illusion of common English people are reflected.

Features of Ballads

They are mainly brief incidents or fragments of longer tales.

Often a ballad is full of gaps and omission.

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Success of ballads depend on the art of drawing with a few strokes a vigorous sketch of events and situations.

Better ballads are dramatic and exciting, with suspense and climax.

Features of Ballads

There is much dialogue in the ballads.

Elaborations and repetitions are common.

The language is simple.

The form of Ballads

Older form: 2-line stanza,

in couplets,

followed by a burden

Example: ―Get Up and Bar the Door‖

Later form: 4-line stanza

ballad meter

Ballad Meter

4- and 3- feet verse to odd- and even- numbered lines rhyming on the second and fourth lines.

Sometimes all four lines are in octosyllabics, each with 4 feet of iambic verse. Ballad Meter

Example:

Come listen to me, you gallants so free,

All you that love mirth for to hear,

And I will tell you of a bold outlaw

That lived in Nottinghamshire.

--- ―Robin Hood and Allin-A-Dale‖

Geoffrey Chaucer

1340-1400

Father of English poetry

乔叟

Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer

Life

Born in London, son of a wine merchant

Page when 17

19, joined in the Hundred Years’ War, and then was taken prisoner.

After ransomed by the king, he became connected by marriage, with the patron Duke of Lancaster.

Life

Diplomat to European continent, esp. to France and Italy.

Controller of Customs at London

1386 M.P for Kent

Good at Latin, French and Italian

Buried in Westminster Abbey, the poet’s corner (the first one to be buried there)

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