of Middle English literature
Middle English literature is an umbrella term for the literary works composed in the Middle English period, which was a time of transition between the Old and Modern English periods It began with the Norman Conquest in 1066 and lasted until the middle of the fifteenth century, when the influence of the French language had all but disappeared During this period, English underwent tremendous changes in both its lexicon and its grammar, resulting in a period of transition during which the English language was both hugely diversified and significantly enriched.
Middle English literature can be subdivided into several subgenres, such as religious literature, works of history and travel, moral and didactic works, romances, and lyric poetry. This genre of literature is often associated with the works of Geoffrey Chaucer and his Canterbury Tales, as well as some of the most well-known works of literature ever written, such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory.
The best examples of Middle English literature are as follows:
1. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer: Considered to be one of the greatest works of English literature, The Canterbury Tales contains a series of stories narrated by a group of pilgrims as they travel to Canterbury. This is one of the earliest examples of Middle English literature, and is a great example of how this period transformed the English language.
2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: This is an Arthurian romance written by an anonymous author, possibly in the late 14th century. This famous poem presents a heroic challenge in which a knight must prove his bravery and courage.
3. Piers Plowman by William Langland: Written in the late 14th century, Piers Plowman is one of the first major works of English literature to be written in the native English language. It is a religious allegory which examines the contemporary society and its moral failings.
4. Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory: This work of Arthurian literature was compiled in the late 15th century. It is the definitive version of the Arthurian legend and is a treasury of romantic, heroic, and moral tales.
5. The Book of Margery Kempe: This is an autobiography of a fifteenth-century mystic, written in the vernacular by Margery Kempe in 1436. It is the earliest known autobiography written in English, and provides an insight into the religious and social customs of the period.
These five examples of Middle English literature represent some of the most important works of this period and provide a wonderful insight into the English language, the morals and customs of the time, and the development of English literature in general. Each of these works has helped shape the English language and literature as we know it today.