Week 5 Flashcards
Nationalistic purposes derived from the Middle Ages
Scotland uses Wallace, Ireland has St. Patrick’s Day which goes back to the Middle Ages. Alfred the Great is another example.
How do people in the modern day view/use medievalism?
People frequently associate the Middle Ages as dark, violent and gory.
- Video games often depict it as a violent time.
- Also, the media portrays it as such: “middeleeuwse toestand” in Dutch politics.
- White supremacists have adopted medieval symbolism.
But there is also a vibrant and romantic look on the Middle Ages, with restaurants using the ‘Dinner & Tournament’ concept.
Medievalism
Reinterpretation, re-envisioning, re-creation of the Middle Ages, linked with something that doesn’t relate to the Middle Ages itself. Example: board games with a medieval theme; video games.
What are examples of medievalism being associated with violence and darkness?
Marcellus in Pulp Fiction (1994): “I’ma get medieval on your ass.”
OED shows ‘medieval’ can be used as “barbarous”.
Medievalism in the Renaissance
The Middle Ages were then associated with primitivism, superstition and domination of the Roman Catholic Church.
Medievalism in the Victorian era
There was a medieval revival in this period, using the Middle Ages as a model and inspiration for creative activity. An example is gothic architecture. There was a resurgence of medieval stories in art, reenacted (Eglinton) tournaments, playing dress up as medievals.
Who criticised the idea of the medieval revival in the Victorian era?
Mark Twain criticised the revival, stating how ridiculous it is.
Arthuriana in media
- The Sword in the Stone (Disney),
- First Knight,
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail,
- Camelot,
- Merlin.
Origins of King Arthur
King Arthur may not have actually existed. First mention of it was in c. 828. European countries have slightly different versions of King Arthur’s tale.
Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Regum Brittanniae (c. 1136).
Why is the tale of King Arthur so popular? Why was it so easy to adopt in a country’s culture?
- No fixed narrative; can add new members to the round table, give a new perspective through a new character.
- Link between past and present, because of Arthur’s return, as in when Britain really needs him, he could also show up in modern times.
- Highly symbolic; round table (equality), holy grail (an unattainable goal only for the devout Christian).
- Arthur as the ideal ruler; Henry VIII wanted to be associated with Camelot, also Trump, JFK.
- Round table as ‘knights of justice’ (super heroes).
Means and aims of Arthur’s tale
Aim: Glorify British kings of old.
Means: Some sources, a lot of imagination.
Medieval Arthurian traditions
- Round table
- Holy grail
- Camelot
- Arthur’s messianistic return
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Sort of an anti-movie. Weird use of subtitles, end credits, low production value; “There’s the man from scene 24!”. Usually films don’t do this.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: as a reaction against Arhurian movies
- Debunking the Arthurian myth.
- Non-idyllic Middle Ages.
- Lack of historical accuracy in its setting: sometimes set too late, sometimes too early (for Norman knights).
- Reverse time-travel
- British humour
- Sexual innuendo, breaking of taboos, class differences.
British humour
British humour ridicules mundane reality by satirically revealing the absurdity of everyday life, relying on puns and intellectual humour. Sexual humour is found to be prominent, consisting of innuendo and breaking taboos. Also, much of British humour stems from class differences.
The Holy Grail: most accurate medieval movie ever made?
- Terry Jones worked on the movie (= medievalist).
- Swallows in Gottfried van Strassburg’s Tristan (c. 1210).
- The Black Knight -> Lancelot (1175-1181).
- The taboo-breaking nuns (Parzival).
- Link between Troy and Camelot.
- Chaucer; Tale of Sir Topas.
- The killer rabbit shows up in medieval art a lot.
