ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – KING ARTHUR AND MIDDLE ENGLISH PROSE

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – KING ARTHUR AND MIDDLE ENGLISH PROSE

King Arthur and the Development of Middle English Prose (up to 1590)

The Arthurian legend served as a vital bridge between oral tradition and written literature in medieval England, with its evolution in Middle English prose marking a significant milestone in literary development. By the late 15th century, these stories had transformed from French verse romances into sophisticated English prose narratives that would influence literature for centuries.

1. French Origins and English Adaptation

The Arthurian tradition entered English literature primarily through French sources like Chrétien de Troyes' 12th century romances. These were gradually anglicized, with the Vulgate Cycle (13th century) providing the comprehensive pseudo-historical framework that English writers would later expand upon.

2. The Alliterative Revival

14th century England saw a resurgence of Arthurian material in works like:

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - blending chivalric ideals with moral complexity

The Alliterative Morte Arthure - presenting Arthur as a tragic war leader

These works demonstrated the English preference for psychological depth and moral ambiguity compared to their French counterparts.

3. Malory's Monumental Achievement

Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (completed 1469, printed 1485) marked the culmination of medieval Arthurian literature:

Compiled and translated French/English sources into cohesive prose

Established the definitive version of Arthur's rise and fall

Balanced knightly adventure with profound tragedy

Presented in clear, vigorous English prose style

4. The Transition to Print Culture

William Caxton's 1485 printed edition of Malory:

Standardized the Arthurian canon for Renaissance readers

Added a preface defending Arthur's historical existence

Made the stories accessible to a growing literate middle class

5. Tudor Transformations

By 1590, Arthurian material was being reinterpreted through:

Spenser's The Faerie Queene (allegorical treatment)

Emerging Protestant skepticism about medieval romance

Growing interest in Arthur as national myth

The Middle English prose tradition, particularly through Malory's masterpiece, preserved the Arthurian legend while elevating English prose narrative to new artistic heights, creating a foundation for later historical fiction and fantasy literature.

 

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – DEVELOPMENT OF COMEDY

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – DEVELOPMENT OF COMEDY

The Development of Comedy in English Literature up to 1590

The evolution of English comedy from medieval folk traditions to the sophisticated theatrical productions of the late 16th century reflects broader cultural and literary transformations. By 1590, comedy had established itself as a vital dramatic genre, paving the way for Shakespeare's masterpieces.

1. Medieval Roots (12th–15th Century)

Early English comedy emerged from:

Folk plays featuring rustic humor, disguise, and mock battles

Interludes (short, humorous plays performed between courses at feasts)

Mystery and Morality plays that included comic elements (e.g., Noah's wife in Chester Cycle)

These forms blended satire, physical humor, and social commentary, often targeting human vices.

2. Early Tudor Comedy (Early 16th Century)

The Renaissance brought classical influences:

Nicholas Udall's Ralph Roister Doister (1550s) – The first true English comedy, modeled after Roman playwright Plautus, featuring a foolish braggart and clever wordplay.

Gammer Gurton's Needle (1560s) – A bawdy farce about village life, using rustic dialects and slapstick.

These works introduced stock characters (the braggart, the trickster) and plot devices (mistaken identities, clever servants).

3. Elizabethan Innovations (1570s–1590)

Professional theaters (like The Theatre, 1576) spurred comedy's growth:

John Lyly's Endymion (1588) – Courtly comedy blending mythology and witty dialogue.

George Peele and Robert Greene – Romantic comedies with adventure, love plots, and pastoral settings.

Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus – Though a tragedy, it included comic scenes with Faustus's servant, Wagner.

By 1590, English comedy had evolved from crude farce to refined, multi-layered entertainment, mixing classical structure, native humor, and social satire—setting the stage for Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors (1594) and beyond.

 

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – EVERYMAN

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – EVERYMAN

Everyman (c. late 15th century) is the finest surviving example of a medieval morality play, a genre that used allegory to teach Christian moral lessons. Written in Middle English, it dramatizes the journey of the soul toward salvation, making abstract virtues and vices into personified characters.

Plot and Themes

The play begins when Death summons Everyman, a stand-in for all humanity, to face God’s final judgment. Desperate for companionship, Everyman seeks help from worldly figures like Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, and Goods (material possessions), but all abandon him. Only Good Deeds, weakened by Everyman’s sins, remains willing to accompany him—but first, he must seek redemption through Confession and Penance. Strengthened by Knowledge, Discretion, Strength, Beauty, and Five-Wits, Everyman prepares for death, though even these companions eventually leave him. In the end, only Good Deeds follows him into the grave, securing his salvation.

Significance and Legacy

Religious Instruction: The play reinforces late medieval Catholic teachings on repentance, the fleeting nature of worldly life, and the importance of spiritual preparation for death.

Allegorical Drama: Unlike earlier mystery plays (which staged Bible stories), morality plays like Everyman used symbolic characters to explore ethical dilemmas.

Universality: Its theme of mortality resonates across time, influencing later works like Doctor Faustus and modern adaptations.

Originally Dutch (Elckerlijc), the English version became one of the most enduring medieval plays. Its simple yet powerful message—that only good deeds endure beyond death—ensured its lasting place in literary history.

 

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – DEVELOPMENT OF DRAMA IN ENGLISH LITERATURE

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – DEVELOPMENT OF DRAMA IN ENGLISH LITERATURE

The Development of Drama in English Literature up to 1590

The evolution of English drama from its medieval roots to the threshold of Shakespeare's golden age reflects profound cultural and artistic transformations. This journey spans religious ritual, moral instruction, and finally, secular entertainment.

Medieval Beginnings (10th-15th centuries)

English drama originated in liturgical ceremonies, with the earliest forms being:

Quem Quaeritis tropes (10th century) - brief Easter dialogues

Mystery Plays - biblical cycles performed by guilds (York, Chester, Wakefield)

Morality Plays (15th century) - allegorical works like Everyman teaching Christian values

These performances moved from churches to public spaces, gradually incorporating vernacular language and comic elements.

Tudor Transformations (16th century)

The Reformation dramatically altered English drama:

Interludes replaced morality plays (John Heywood's The Four PP)

School and court dramas flourished (Nicholas Udall's Ralph Roister Doister)

Classical influences emerged through:

Seneca's tragedies (bloody revenge themes)

Plautus/Terence's comedies (stock characters, mistaken identities)

Professional Theater Emerges (1570s-1590)

Key developments included:

Permanent playhouses (The Theatre, 1576)

Professional acting companies (Leicester's Men)

University Wits (Marlowe, Lyly, Greene) who elevated dramatic writing

Christopher Marlowe's revolutionary blank verse (Tamburlaine)

By 1590, English drama had evolved from religious instruction to sophisticated entertainment, setting the stage for Shakespeare's imminent dominance. The fusion of medieval tradition, classical learning, and contemporary innovation created a vibrant theatrical culture ready for its Elizabethan flowering.

 

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – MIDDLE ENGLISH ROMANCES

ENGLISH LITERATURE UPTO 1590 – MIDDLE ENGLISH ROMANCES

Middle English Romances (1066-1590)

The Middle English romance flourished between the 12th and 15th centuries as one of the most popular secular genres of medieval literature. Emerging after the Norman Conquest, these verse and prose narratives blended French chivalric traditions with English storytelling, creating tales of adventure, love, and heroism that captivated aristocratic and common audiences alike.

Characteristics and Themes

Middle English romances typically featured:

Chivalric ideals – Knights embarked on quests to prove their courage, loyalty, and virtue (e.g., Sir Gawain and the Green Knight).

Courtly love – A refined, often unattainable love between a knight and a noble lady (e.g., Tristan and Isolde).

Supernatural elements – Magic, dragons, and fairy-tale motifs enriched the narratives.

Christian and moral undertones – Many stories intertwined piety with adventure, such as the Grail legends.

Major Romances

Arthurian Romances – The most influential cycle, including:

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (14th c.) – A masterpiece of alliterative verse, testing chivalry and honor.

Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur (1485) – A prose compilation of Arthurian legends.

Matter of England – Native heroes like Havelok the Dane and King Horn reflected English identity.

French-inspired Romances – Adaptations like The Romance of the Rose and Floris and Blancheflour introduced continental elegance.

Legacy

Middle English romances laid the groundwork for Renaissance literature, influencing Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene and later English fiction. Their blend of fantasy, morality, and adventure continues to inspire modern fantasy and historical storytelling.