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1.3 Major literary trends and genres in Middle English literature

2 min readLast Updated on August 6, 2024

Middle English literature flourished with diverse genres and styles. From chivalric romances to religious plays, writers explored themes of love, faith, and morality. These works reflected the cultural and spiritual landscape of medieval England.

Narrative poetry, like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, captivated audiences with heroic tales. Meanwhile, dramatic works like mystery plays brought biblical stories to life. Religious themes permeated literature, showcasing the era's deep spiritual roots.

Narrative Poetry and Prose

Romantic and Allegorical Works

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  • Romance genre gained popularity featuring tales of chivalry, courtly love, and heroic adventures (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight)
  • Allegory used symbolism and metaphor to convey moral or spiritual messages (Piers Plowman)
  • Dream visions framed narratives within a dream sequence allowing for exploration of abstract concepts and ideas (Pearl)
  • Arthurian legends centered around the mythical King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table became a prominent subject in Middle English literature (Le Morte d'Arthur)

Fables and Chronicles

  • Beast fables anthropomorphized animals to teach moral lessons and satirize human behavior (The Nun's Priest's Tale from The Canterbury Tales)
  • Chronicle genre recorded historical events and figures often blending fact with fictional elements (The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle)
  • Chroniclers aimed to preserve and celebrate the history of a particular region, dynasty, or institution
  • Fables and chronicles served as both entertainment and didactic tools for medieval audiences

Dramatic Works

Mystery Plays

  • Mystery plays dramatized biblical stories from Creation to Judgment Day
  • Plays were organized into cycles performed by guilds during religious festivals (York Mystery Plays)
  • Vernacular language made religious content accessible to lay audiences
  • Staging techniques included elaborate sets, special effects, and audience interaction

Morality Plays

  • Morality plays allegorized the spiritual journey and moral struggles of the individual soul (Everyman)
  • Characters personified abstract qualities such as virtues and vices
  • Plays aimed to instruct audiences on Christian doctrine and ethical behavior
  • Morality plays influenced later forms of English drama including the works of Shakespeare

Religious and Lyrical Works

Devotional and Hagiographic Literature

  • Lyric poetry expressed personal emotions and spiritual devotion often in the form of hymns, prayers, and carols
  • Devotional works focused on the lives of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints (The Prioress's Tale from The Canterbury Tales)
  • Hagiography recounted the lives, miracles, and martyrdoms of saints serving as models of piety and faith (The Golden Legend)
  • Religious lyrics and hagiography reflected the centrality of Christianity in medieval English society and culture

Mystical and Visionary Writing

  • Mystical works described direct spiritual experiences and encounters with the divine (The Showings of Julian of Norwich)
  • Visionary literature recounted prophetic dreams, visions, and apocalyptic revelations (Piers Plowman)
  • Female mystics and visionaries challenged traditional gender roles and asserted spiritual authority (The Book of Margery Kempe)
  • Mystical and visionary writing explored the inner life of faith and the relationship between the human and the divine


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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