Medieval literature is full of allegories, which are stories that have a hidden meaning. The medieval period was a time of great creativity in literature, and many of the most famous works from this time are allegories. These stories were often used to teach moral or religious lessons to the reader.
One of the most famous medieval allegories is “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri. This epic poem tells the story of Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, and is full of allegorical characters and events. Another famous medieval allegory is “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer. This collection of stories follows a group of pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury, and each story is an allegory for a different moral lesson.
The Nature of Allegory
Definition and Purpose
Allegory is a literary device that uses symbolic figures, actions, and/or settings to represent abstract ideas, moral qualities, or political events. The purpose of allegory is to convey a deeper meaning to the reader than what is apparent on the surface. In medieval literature, allegory was often used to teach moral lessons, convey religious beliefs, or critique political systems.
Characteristics of Medieval Allegories
Medieval allegories have several distinct characteristics. Firstly, they often use personification, where abstract ideas are represented by human-like characters. Secondly, they frequently employ extended metaphors, where a single metaphor is used throughout the entire work. Thirdly, they often have a clear moral message that is intended to be instructive to the reader. Finally, they often use religious or mythological themes to convey their message.
Overall, allegory is a powerful tool for conveying complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way. Medieval allegories in particular are an important part of literary history, and continue to be studied and appreciated to this day.
Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy is one of the most famous allegories of the Middle Ages. Composed of three parts, Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso, Dante’s masterpiece tells the story of his journey through the afterlife.
Inferno
In the first part of the Divine Comedy, Dante describes his descent into Hell. He encounters various sinners and their punishments, each one corresponding to the sin they committed in life. The punishments range from being submerged in boiling tar to being devoured by a three-headed dog. Through his journey, Dante learns about the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance.
Purgatorio
In the second part of the Divine Comedy, Dante travels through Purgatory. Here, he encounters souls who are being punished for their sins but are also working towards their redemption. The punishments in Purgatory are less severe than in Hell, and the souls are able to progress towards Paradise by completing various tasks and demonstrating their repentance.
Paradiso
In the final part of the Divine Comedy, Dante reaches Paradise. Here, he encounters the souls of the blessed and experiences the Beatific Vision, the ultimate goal of every Christian. Dante’s journey through the afterlife is a powerful allegory of the human experience, and his insights into sin, redemption, and the nature of God continue to resonate with readers today.
Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written in Middle English between 1387 and 1400. The tales are framed by a narrative in which a group of pilgrims travel to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, England. Along the way, they tell each other stories, creating a rich tapestry of medieval life and culture.
The Tales as Allegory
Many of the stories in The Canterbury Tales are allegorical, meaning that they use characters and events to represent abstract ideas or moral principles. For example, “The Pardoner’s Tale” is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and avarice, while “The Knight’s Tale” explores the theme of love and the struggle between reason and passion.
Social and Moral Commentary
In addition to their allegorical significance, the tales also offer social and moral commentary on medieval life. Chaucer uses his characters to satirize various aspects of society, including the church, the aristocracy, and the merchant class. He also comments on issues such as gender roles, marriage, and the nature of love.
Overall, The Canterbury Tales is a rich and complex work that offers insight into medieval culture and society. Its allegorical and satirical elements make it a timeless masterpiece that continues to be studied and appreciated by readers today.
Pearl Poet’s Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Symbolism of the Green Knight
The Pearl Poet’s Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a famous medieval allegory that tells the story of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table, and his encounter with the mysterious Green Knight. The poem is full of symbolism, and the Green Knight is no exception. The Green Knight represents nature, and his green color is a symbol of fertility and growth. The Green Knight’s challenge to Gawain is also symbolic, as it represents the challenges that knights faced in their quest for chivalry.
Chivalry and Temptation
The poem is also a reflection of the chivalric code of the time. Gawain is tested by the Green Knight, and he must remain true to his code of chivalry. However, Gawain is also tempted by the Green Knight’s wife, who tries to seduce him. This temptation represents the challenges that knights faced in their quest for chivalry, as they were often tested by their own desires and temptations.
Overall, the Pearl Poet’s Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a complex and fascinating allegory that explores the themes of chivalry, temptation, and the challenges of living up to one’s ideals. The poem is full of symbolism, and it is a testament to the creativity and imagination of medieval writers.
The Roman de la Rose
The Roman de la Rose is a medieval allegory that was written by two authors, Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. This allegorical poem is one of the most popular French poems of the later Middle Ages and is composed of more than 21,000 lines of octosyllabic couplets.
Allegorical Love and Courtship
The Roman de la Rose presents an allegorical representation of love and courtship. The poem is modeled on Ovid’s Ars amatoria and provides a “mirror of love” in which the whole art of romantic love is disclosed. The poem follows the courtship of the Lover and the Rose, who represents the object of his affection. The Lover encounters various obstacles and challenges in his pursuit of the Rose, including the allegorical figures of Jealousy, Danger, and Shame.
Influence on Later Literature
The Roman de la Rose had a significant influence on later literature, particularly in the development of allegory. The poem involved striking new developments in the deployment of various allegorical constructs and procedures, within the context of a self-conscious and innovative expansion of dominant vernacular literary discourses, both lyric and narrative. The Rose’s unique status in the medieval French literary corpus is a testament to its impact and influence on later literature.
Everyman
Everyman is a medieval morality play that was first performed in the 15th century. The play was written anonymously, and it is believed to have been a version of a Dutch play called Elckerlyc. Everyman is a powerful allegory of life and death, morality, and redemption. The play tells the story of Everyman, who represents all of humanity, and his journey towards salvation.
Allegory of Life and Death
Everyman is an allegory of life and death. The play tells the story of Everyman, who is summoned by Death to make a journey to the afterlife. Everyman is forced to confront the reality of his own mortality, and he must come to terms with the fact that he cannot escape death. The play uses allegory to convey the message that death is an inevitable part of life, and that every person must face it.
Morality and Redemption
Everyman is also a morality play that explores the themes of morality and redemption. The play tells the story of Everyman’s journey towards salvation, and his struggle to overcome his own sins and shortcomings. Everyman is forced to confront the reality of his own moral failings, and he must come to terms with the fact that he has not always lived a good life. The play uses allegory to convey the message that every person has the ability to seek redemption, and that it is never too late to turn one’s life around.
In conclusion, Everyman is a powerful allegory of life and death, morality, and redemption. The play uses allegory to convey the message that death is an inevitable part of life, and that every person must face it. It also explores the themes of morality and redemption, and it conveys the message that every person has the ability to seek redemption, and that it is never too late to turn one’s life around.
The Quest of the Holy Grail
The Quest of the Holy Grail is one of the most famous allegories of the Middle Ages. It tells the story of a group of knights who embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail, the cup used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper. The allegory has been interpreted in many different ways over the centuries, but it is generally seen as a story of spiritual quest and redemption.
Christian Symbolism
The Holy Grail is a powerful symbol of Christian spirituality. According to legend, it was the cup used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, and it was later used by Joseph of Arimathea to collect the blood of Christ during his crucifixion. The Grail is therefore associated with the Eucharist, the Christian sacrament that commemorates the Last Supper. The search for the Grail is seen as a quest for spiritual purity and enlightenment, and the Grail itself is often seen as a symbol of divine grace.
The Arthurian Legend
The Quest of the Holy Grail is also closely associated with the Arthurian legend. In this version of the story, the knights of King Arthur’s court set out to find the Grail, which is said to have miraculous healing powers. The quest is fraught with danger and temptation, and many of the knights fail in their quest. However, the pure-hearted knight Galahad ultimately succeeds in finding the Grail, and he is rewarded with a vision of the divine.
Overall, the Quest of the Holy Grail is a powerful allegory that has resonated with readers for centuries. It is a story of spiritual quest and redemption, and it has inspired countless works of literature and art over the years.
The Vision of Piers Plowman
“The Vision of Piers Plowman” is a Middle English allegorical narrative poem written by William Langland in the late 14th century. It is considered one of the greatest works of medieval literature in England. The poem is divided into sections called “passus,” which are similar to chapters.
Social Critique
The poem is a social critique of medieval English society. Langland uses the character of Piers Plowman to represent the common man, who is exploited and oppressed by the ruling classes. The poem highlights the corruption and greed of the clergy, the nobility, and the merchants. Langland also criticizes the educational system and the legal system.
Religious Themes
“The Vision of Piers Plowman” is also a religious allegory. Langland uses Christian imagery and symbolism to convey his message. The poem explores the themes of sin, redemption, and salvation. The character of Piers Plowman represents the ideal Christian, who is humble, honest, and hardworking. The poem emphasizes the importance of good deeds and the need for a personal relationship with God.
In conclusion, “The Vision of Piers Plowman” is a complex and multifaceted work of medieval literature. It combines social critique with religious allegory to create a powerful message about the state of English society in the 14th century.