Arthurian Legend:Arthurian Legend:The Romance vs. The EpicThe Romance vs. The Epic

The Epic reflects the The Epic reflects the values of the Heroic values of the Heroic

Age of kings, warriors, Age of kings, warriors, and mead halls. The and mead halls. The Romance reflects the Romance reflects the values of the Age of values of the Age of

Chivalry represented in Chivalry represented in the legends of King the legends of King

Arthur.Arthur.

The Epic vs. The RomanceThe Epic vs. The Romance

EpicEpic Clear, realistic storyClear, realistic story Rank and social Rank and social

distinctions not distinctions not important/nonexistentimportant/nonexistent

LoveLove absent or a absent or a minor side detailminor side detail

FightingFighting motivated motivated and seriousand serious

RomanceRomance Mystery and fantasyMystery and fantasy Rank and social Rank and social

distinctions strongly distinctions strongly stressedstressed

LoveLove supreme focus supreme focus of a Romanceof a Romance

FightingFighting spontaneous spontaneous and very violentand very violent

The Epic vs. The RomanceThe Epic vs. The Romance

EpicEpic HeroHero sober, simple sober, simple

manman Group action (warriors)Group action (warriors)

Emphasis on glory and Emphasis on glory and transitions of lifetransitions of life

Tragic and serious Tragic and serious adventuresadventures

RomanceRomance HeroHero playful, witty, playful, witty,

and complicatedand complicated Hero is isolatedHero is isolated

individual questsindividual quests Emphasis on adventure Emphasis on adventure

and life to comeand life to come More light-hearted story More light-hearted story

lineline

Origin of the Romance…Origin of the Romance…

Apparently, old French epics and songs form Apparently, old French epics and songs form the end of the 11the end of the 11thth century. century.

The Romance gave expression The Romance gave expression to the most cherished…to the most cherished…

Religious idealsReligious idealsPolitical idealsPolitical idealsCourtly idealsCourtly ideals

English Romance:English Romance:

Striking Striking situations and situations and unusual plots--unusual plots--mysteriousmysterious

French Romance:French Romance:

Delicate Delicate sentiments and sentiments and precisely precisely analyzed plotsanalyzed plots

Arthurian RomanceArthurian Romance

Arthur really lived Arthur really lived during the 6during the 6thth century century

Led the Welsh forces Led the Welsh forces against the invading against the invading Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons

Became a legend Became a legend throughout Europe throughout Europe for this feat and later for this feat and later became the subject became the subject of English Romancesof English Romances