Medieval Romance
A Methodological Study Guide
Welcome to this comprehensive guide to the Medieval Romance. This resource is specifically designed for B1-B2 level students and educators who wish to move beyond simple plot summaries and engage in a deeper analysis of the genre. By using the interactive slide show below, you will explore the genre's origins, the knightly code of chivalry, and the thematic "Matters" that defined the era.
To ensure a complete grasp of the material, we have provided a curated toolkit including key vocabulary, useful analytical expressions, and a grammar review tailored for literary discussion. This will enhance your communication skills and help you present your knowledge in a clear and effective way.
The Methodological Toolkit
Before you dive into the slides, familiarise yourself with the structural tools you'll need for your analysis: word list, grammar review and useful expressions. It combines a slideshow, a video, and a game (a short)
INTERACTIVE WORD LIST |
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Words |
Meanings |
Traslations |
| Chivalry | The religious, moral, and social code of knightly behaviour. "Chivalry required knights to be brave, loyal, and courteous." [01:29] | |
| Vague settings | Locations in a story that are distant, undefined, or mysterious. "Romance plots often take place in vague settings rather than real cities." [01:40] | |
| The Matter of Rome | A category of romances based on classical myths and heroes. "The Matter of Rome includes stories about Alexander the Great." [01:52] | |
| Paladins | The twelve foremost knights or champions of Charlemagne's court. "Charlemagne was often accompanied by his twelve faithful paladins." [00:31] | |
| Middle English | The form of the English language spoken after the Norman Conquest (c. 1150–1500). Used for masterpieces like 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'. | |
Useful Expressions |
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"To match an answer" To have the same result or choice as someone else. "If you matched my answer, you're out of the game!" [00:07]
"To be classified into" To be divided or organised into specific groups or types. "Romances are classified into three main 'Matters'." [01:52] "To come from" To have a specific origin (etymology). "The word 'Romance' originally came from French." [01:07] "Nothing's lost" An encouraging phrase meaning there is still a chance to succeed. "Don't worry, nothing's lost; you have a second chance." [00:41] |
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Grammar | ||
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1. The Passive Voice
The Rule: We use the Passive Voice when the action or the object is more important than who did it. In literature, we use it to describe how works are organised or when the author is unknown. Structure: Subject + To Be (in the correct tense) + Past Participle Why use it? It makes your analysis sound objective and professional. Example: "Medieval Romances were originally written in verse." (It doesn't matter who wrote them, we are focusing on the form). 2. Zero Conditional (For Rules & Facts) The Rule: We use the Zero Conditional to talk about things that are always true, such as the rules of a game or scientific facts. Structure: If + Present Simple, ... Present Simple Why use it? Perfect for explaining the "rules" of a literary genre or your interactive challenges. Example: "If a knight breaks the code of chivalry, he loses his honour." 3. Defining Relative Clauses (For Precision) The Rule: We use these to give essential information about a person or thing. Without this information, the sentence wouldn't make sense. Structure: Use 'who' for people, 'which' or 'that' for things/concepts. Why use it? It helps you define complex literary terms without starting a new sentence. Example: "The Matter of Britain is a term which refers to legends about King Arthur." 4. Prepositions of Origin: 'From' vs 'Of' The Rule: * Use 'From' to talk about the source or beginning of something (etymology or movement). Use 'Of' to show belonging, possession, or a specific title. Example: "The word 'Romance' comes from the French 'romanz'..." vs "The Matter of France." |
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Created for LnT
by Anna Maria Bellomo
Former High School English Teacher
LnT suggests:
LnT A short documentary showing manuscripts containing medieval romances with very valuable summaries of different romances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP8uJ3YU974
LnT A documentary on how historical facts became legends and a good summary of Le Roman de la Rose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e1JJvLP9PA
LnT Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, an example of medieval romance.
Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t855W1rFYEo
Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgyTl9siqTE
LnT Mark Twain wrote an interesting short story named A Medieval Romance . The story is about characters obsessed by their own greed.
LnT The story of King Arthur and his knights has been seminal also in recent times. A British surreal comedy group called Monty Python created a movie entitled Monty Python and the Holy Grail. They used the most famous episodes from the Arthurian matter capturing the comic aspect.