2. Me Literature

Front 1

history and pseudo-history (and their purposes)

Back 1

-> Geoffrey of Monmouth "History of the Kings of Britain"

Possible reasons for the invention of the Brutus myth:

- national unity

- translatio imperii

(a concept for describing history as a linear succession of transfers of an imperium that invests supreme power in a singular ruler, an "emperor".)

- expansionist agenda (proto-colonialism?)

Also "The Myth of Arthur's Return"

Front 2

Breton lais

Back 2

- Marie de France "Lanval", "Bisclavret"

- rhymed

- syllabic rhtythm

- assonance (repetition of vowel sounds to create internal rhyming within phrases)

- Beauty “catalogue”

Front 3

Epic vs Romance

Back 3

- considerable overlap between both (e.g. heroic virtues; fight against evil)

- but: Old English “epic” (a.k.a. “heroic”) and Middle English “romance” are
often considered distinct genres from separate eras

OE Epic in Britain typically…

- draws on older Germanic
myths

- celebrates heroic values, e.g.
military prowess, physical strength

- has masculinist bias (focus on
comradeship between men)

- focuses on external action

- uses alliterative verse

MidE Romance in Britain typically…

- centres on “matter of Britain” (King
Arthur), as opposed to the “matter of
Rome” or the “matter of France”

- celebrates aristocratic virtues, the
chivalric code, and good kingship

- pays more attention to role of
women and supposedly ‘feminine’
virtues such as love and courtliness

- shows more interest in psychology

- uses rhyme, syllabic rhythm, and
assonance