Middle Ages Flashcards by Jessie Denning

Describe at least 5 tributes of a FOLK BALLAD.

dramatization of a SINGLE event
little expression of emotion
dialogue/ question&answers
strong, simple beat
refrain
ideas NOT directly stated
often based on real events
conventional phrases (for audience of the time)

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What was the common kind of ballad?

FOLK ballad

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Give two examples of Medieval FOLK BALLADS

“Lord Randall”

“Get Up and Bar the Door”

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What specific story was the Canterbury Tales patterned after?

“The Decameron”

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Who wrote the Decameron?

Johannes Boccaccio

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What style story is both “The Decameron” and “The Canterbury Tales”?

Quest narrative & Frame story

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Who wrote The Canterbury Tales?

Geoffrey Chaucer

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Chaucer was one of the first to write on what type of English?

Vernacular (for the common people)

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What is the rhythm for Canterbury Tales that Chaucer used?

Iambic pentameter

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Where are the travelers in Canterbury Tales going?

Canterbury Cathedral

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Why were Canterbury tales travelers headed to Canterbury Cathedral?

It hosts the shrine of the martyr Thomas Beckett

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What martyr did the travelers wish to pay honor to?

Thomas Beckett

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Where in London do the travelers begin their journey?

Southwark

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What building do the travelers begin their journey at in Canterbury Tales?

Tabard Inn

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What time of year is it when the travelers begin their journey?

April (w/bad roads)

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How long is the journey for the travelers in Canterbury Tales?

55 miles

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How many travelers are there?

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What are the 3 groups of travelers?

1-feudal/nobility
2-religious/church
3-city/merchant

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Geoffrey Chaucer was the “father of ______”?

English poetry

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What are some of Geoffrey Chaucer’s other writings?

In remembrance:
"The Book of Duchess"
Allegorical poems:
"House of Fame"
"Parliament of Fowls"
Love story:
"Troilus and Criseyde"

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What 3 time periods were Chaucer’s writings divided into?

French-earliest, artificial voice
Italian-influenced by Dante, Petrarch, & Boccaccio
English-Canterbury Tales

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Where specifically! was Chaucer buried?

Poets’ Corner, Westminister Abbey

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What is Feudalism?

Social and economic system

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What was feudalism based on?

Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church

King at the head, then lords, vassals, serfs

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What is a fief?

A parcel of land

What is Chivalry?

A code of conduct

What is fealty?

Loyalty to king

What does chivalry include?

Fealty, honoring of women, protection of weak, defense of Christian faith, righting of injustices and wrongs

What were the 3 main languages of the Middle Ages?

French - nobility and courts English - common people Latin - church

What was the Crusades?

Series of military expeditions influenced by Catholic Church carried out by Knights

Who was Thomas Beckett/what position did he hold?

He was the Archbishop of Canterbury

What are some results of the bubonic plague?

- labor shortage - more power for peasants - migration to cities - decline in feudal structure

What are some traits of Middle English literature?

- influence of French language - romance genre - adventures of knights - courtly love - code of chivalry

What are some example writings of Middle English literature?

- King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Le Morte d'Arthur - Canterbury Tales

Who wrote "Le Morte d'Arthur?"

Sir Thomas Malory

Who made the printing press/first typed or produced books?

Johannes Gutenburg

Who was the first man to introduce the printing press to England?

William Caxton

What is a very short story with a moral message?

Fable

What is a short story that uses familiar events to get across an idea (usually religious or ethical)?

Parable

What is the overall term/title for the short stories used to make a point/with morals, which can be shorter or longer?

Exemplum

What is are 2 common types if exemplums?

Fable and parable

What is irony?

Something unexpected

What are 3 types of irony discussed?

1-verbal: sarcasm 2-situational: event that is a surprise or "something unexpected" 3-dramatic: reader/audience knows but characters don't

What are 2 types of characterization?

1-direct: stated by author | 2-indirect: audience figures it out

What does abominable mean?

Disgusting

What does absolution mean?

Forgiveness

What does accrue mean?

To increase over time

What does adversity mean?

Trouble, misfortune

What does avarice mean?

Greed

What does blasphemy mean?

Mockery of religious beliefs or of God

What does carouses mean?

Drinking and celebrating noisily

What does covetousness mean?

Desiring/craving of others' wealth, possessions, etc

What does diligent mean?

Careful and persistent in work

What does discreet mean?

Cautious, careful

What does disdainful mean?

Scornful of, disapproving of

What does duress mean?

Pressure

What does frugal mean?

Extremely thrifty w/money, possessions, time, talent, etc

What does guile mean?

Slyness

What does obstinate mean?

Stubborn

What does pallor mean?

Paleness

What does sauntered mean?

Strolled or walked lazily

What does stature mean?

Physical height or reputation

What does superfluity mean?

Excess

What does statute mean?

Law