Medievalism in Romantic and Victorian literature revived interest in the Middle Ages, influencing genres, themes, and styles. Authors used medieval elements to explore contemporary issues, critique society, and evoke a sense of mystery and beauty.

This literary movement reflected broader cultural trends, including nationalism, industrialization, and a reaction against Enlightenment ideals. It shaped the development of historical novels, narrative poetry, and children's literature, leaving a lasting impact on literary traditions.

Medievalism in Literature

Defining Medievalism

• Medievalism refers to the study, interpretation, and reimagining of the Middle Ages in post-medieval cultures, particularly in literature, art, and architecture
• Involves the incorporation of medieval themes, motifs, and styles into 19th-century works, often with a nostalgic or idealized view of the past
• Manifestations include the revival of medieval genres (ballads, romances), the use of medieval settings and characters, and the exploration of chivalric ideals and courtly love
• Romantic and Victorian authors used medievalism to critique contemporary society, contrasting the perceived simplicity and nobility of the Middle Ages with the complexities and challenges of their own time

Manifestations in Romantic and Victorian Literature

• Revival of medieval genres such as ballads (e.g., Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"), romances (e.g., John Keats' "The Eve of St. Agnes"), and epic poetry (e.g., Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King")
• Use of medieval settings and characters to explore contemporary issues, such as the role of women, the nature of heroism, and the conflict between individual desire and societal expectations
• Incorporation of medieval themes and imagery to evoke a sense of mystery, beauty, and otherworldliness (e.g., Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market")
• Adaptation and transformation of medieval literary works to suit the authors' artistic and ideological purposes (e.g., William Morris' "The Defence of Guenevere")

Medievalism's Resurgence

Reaction Against the Enlightenment

• Resurgence of interest in medieval themes was partly a reaction against the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and progress
• Romantic and Victorian authors sought to reconnect with a more imaginative and emotionally resonant past
• Medieval revival influenced by the popularity of the Gothic novel in the late 18th century, which sparked a fascination with the supernatural, mysterious, and macabre elements associated with the Middle Ages

Nationalism and Cultural Roots

• Rise of nationalism in the 19th century led to a renewed interest in each country's medieval heritage
• Authors and artists sought to celebrate and reinterpret their nation's cultural roots through the lens of medievalism
• Examples include the revival of Arthurian legends in Britain (e.g., Tennyson's "Idylls of the King") and the interest in Norse sagas in Scandinavia (e.g., William Morris' translations)
• Medievalism provided a means of asserting national identity and pride in a rapidly changing world

Industrialization and Nostalgia

• Increasing industrialization and urbanization of society during the Romantic and Victorian eras created a sense of disconnection from nature and the past
• Nostalgic yearning for the perceived simplicity and authenticity of medieval life, seen as a contrast to the complexities and challenges of the 19th century
• Medievalism offered an escape from the pressures of modern life and a way to reconnect with a more harmonious and fulfilling existence
• Examples include the idealization of medieval craftsmanship and the romanticization of rural life in the works of John Ruskin and William Morris

Accessibility of Medieval Texts

• Publication of medieval texts and the growth of medieval scholarship in the 19th century made the Middle Ages more accessible to Romantic and Victorian authors
• Translations and editions of medieval works provided new sources of inspiration and material for their own literary creations
• Examples include Thomas Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry" (1765) and the work of the Early English Text Society, founded in 1864
• Increased accessibility of medieval texts facilitated the incorporation of medieval themes, motifs, and styles into Romantic and Victorian literature

Reinterpreting the Medieval

Adapting Medieval Genres

• Romantic and Victorian authors adapted and transformed medieval literary genres to suit their own artistic and ideological purposes
• Ballads, romances, and epics were reimagined and updated to reflect contemporary concerns and sensibilities
• Examples include Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," which draws on the ballad form to explore themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural
• John Keats' "The Eve of St. Agnes" adapts the medieval romance to create a sensuous and psychological narrative of love and desire

Exploring Contemporary Issues

• Medieval settings and characters used as a means of exploring contemporary social, political, and moral issues
• Role of women, the nature of heroism, and the conflict between individual desire and societal expectations were common themes
• Examples include Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott," which uses the Arthurian legend to examine the position of women in Victorian society
• Robert Browning's "The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church" employs a medieval setting to critique the corruption and materialism of the Catholic Church

Reinterpreting Medieval Texts

• Some authors drew on specific medieval texts as the basis for their own poetic and prose works, reinterpreting and expanding upon the original material
• Arthurian legends and Norse sagas were popular sources of inspiration
• Examples include Tennyson's "Idylls of the King," which retells the story of King Arthur and his knights, and William Morris' "The Earthly Paradise," which adapts Norse and Greek myths
• Reinterpretations often reflected the authors' own artistic, political, and moral concerns, as well as the cultural and social context of the 19th century

Evoking Mystery and Beauty

• Medieval themes and imagery used to evoke a sense of mystery, beauty, and otherworldliness in poetry and prose
• Examples include John Keats' "La Belle Dame sans Merci," which draws on the medieval motif of the enchantress to create an atmosphere of haunting beauty and danger
• Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market" employs medieval-inspired imagery and symbolism to explore themes of temptation, sisterhood, and redemption
• Medievalism provided a means of transcending the limitations of everyday reality and accessing a realm of imagination and wonder

Social Commentary and Critique

• Victorian authors used medievalism as a vehicle for social commentary and critique, contrasting the perceived values and virtues of the Middle Ages with the shortcomings and inequalities of their own society
• Examples include William Morris' "A Dream of John Ball," which uses a medieval peasant revolt to criticize the injustices of Victorian capitalism
• Thomas Carlyle's "Past and Present" compares the medieval monastic system with the industrial present, arguing for a return to a more spiritually fulfilling way of life
• Medievalism provided a lens through which to view and critique the rapidly changing social, economic, and political landscape of the 19th century

Medievalism's Literary Impact

Development of the Historical Novel

• Medieval revival played a significant role in the development of the historical novel
• Authors such as Sir Walter Scott (e.g., "Ivanhoe") and Victor Hugo (e.g., "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame") used medieval settings and events as the backdrop for their narratives
• Historical novels combined fictional characters and plots with detailed descriptions of medieval life, customs, and architecture
• Popularity of the genre reflected a growing interest in the past and a desire to understand the roots of contemporary society

Rise of the Pre-Raphaelite Movement

• Medievalism contributed to the rise of the Pre-Raphaelite movement in art and literature
• Pre-Raphaelites sought to recapture the spirituality, sincerity, and attention to nature that they associated with medieval culture
• Examples include the paintings of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and John Everett Millais, which often depicted medieval subjects and themes
• Pre-Raphaelite poets such as Christina Rossetti and William Morris drew on medieval forms and imagery to create a new style of poetry that emphasized sensuality, symbolism, and emotional intensity

Influence on Romantic Poetry

• Influence of medieval ballads and folk tales can be seen in the work of Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge
• Wordsworth's "Lyrical Ballads" sought to create a more natural and spontaneous style of poetry, drawing on the simplicity and directness of medieval ballads
• Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Christabel" incorporate elements of medieval supernaturalism and mysticism to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche
• Medievalism provided a means of rejecting the artificiality and conventionality of 18th-century poetry and embracing a more authentic and imaginative mode of expression

Development of Victorian Narrative Poetry

• Victorian poets such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning drew on medieval themes and forms to create a new kind of narrative poetry
• Dramatic monologues, psychological depth, and moral complexity were characteristic features of this new style
• Examples include Tennyson's "Idylls of the King" and "Maud," which use Arthurian legend and medieval romance to explore the complexities of love, duty, and identity
• Browning's "The Ring and the Book" employs a medieval murder case to create a multi-perspectival narrative that examines the nature of truth, justice, and human motivation
• Medievalism provided a rich source of inspiration for Victorian poets seeking to expand the boundaries of poetic form and content

Impact on Children's Literature

• Medieval revival had an impact on the development of children's literature in the 19th century
• Authors such as George MacDonald (e.g., "The Princess and the Goblin") and Lewis Carroll (e.g., "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland") incorporated medieval elements into their fantastical and allegorical tales
• Medieval-inspired settings, characters, and themes provided a means of engaging children's imaginations and conveying moral and spiritual lessons
• Popularity of these works reflected a growing recognition of the importance of childhood and the value of imaginative literature in the Victorian era
• Medievalism continues to influence children's literature to this day, with authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis drawing on medieval sources to create beloved classics of the genre