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The period of time between 1066 and 1485 was once referred to as the Dark Ages. This title, however, has proven to be inaccurate. Once thought to be uneventful, this era is now known to have been one of great change. Thus this time has come to be known as the Medieval Period, or Middle Ages, occuring midway between the Classical and Renaissance Periods. The Medieval Period was a time of considerable social transformation, and this is often reflected in the literature of that age. This can be seen by observing the ideals of the time, and examining the literature which addresses them. By analyzing the religious, political and societal ideals, one can see how the writers of the Medieval Period viewed their world.
Society was centered largely around the Medieval Church. Ideally, the people were expected to understand that earthly possessions were meaningless when compared to the prospect of a closeness with God. Man was required to work until he died, at which time he would receive eternal salvation. This was achieved by obeying God's commandments. This theory, however, was becoming progressively corrupted as hypocracy began to pollute the Church, particularly at the higher levels. This is illustrated in Geoffrey Chaucer�s �Prologue to the Canterbury Tales.� Chaucer apparently recognized this degradation of religious ideals. He exposes this in his prologue by deftly and subtly satirizing the religious figures. Using a na�ve �Chaucer the Pilgrim� to describe them, he points out that certain characters, namely the Prioress and the Monk, are not as they should be. He does not criticize them openly, however. He simply emphasizes qualities which, although favourable to the character�s general personality, are not consistent with the expectations of their position. For example, the Prioress is described as �straining to counterfeit a courtly kind of grace.� She wears �a coral trinket on her arm� despite her vow of poverty. By making the reader more aware of the Prioress as a woman than as a nun, Chaucer exposes her erroneous ways. Likewise, this occurs in the description of the monk, who �let go of the things of yesterday and took the modern world�s more spacious way.� Chaucer highlights characteristics in these figures which portray them as good people, but calls attention to the fact that they do not act in a religious manner. Chaucer does respect the fact, however, that some degree of virtue remains in the church. This is represented by the Parson, who was �a holy-minded man of good renown,� �first following the word before he taught it.� It is clear that Chaucer saw the problem of the Church as being hypocritical.
The political ideals of Medieval society revolved around the feudal system. The hierarchy of the Middle Ages can be seen in Chaucer�s �Prologue� as well. The vast array of characters represents the variety of the social order. The only class which is not included in the �Prologue� is monarchy. From the noble Knight to the meager Reeve, all aspects of Medieval Society are portrayed in the �Prologue.� Furthermore, Chaucer's guildsmen represent the gradual emergence of the middle class which, along with the Black Death, would lead to the decline of feudalism. Chaucer was an insightful writer whose work reflects the political upheaval of the time.
Perhaps the most cherished and revered ideal was that of chivalry. This can be seen by observing the sincere praise of Chaucer's Knight and by examining the poem, �Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.� The qualities of bravery, honor, courtesy, fairness to enemies, and respect for women were considered invaluable to the Medieval people. These ideals are reflected in Gawain. As one of King Arthur's Knights, Gawain is expected to be the epitome of chivalric ideals. He is forced to test these principles, however, and learns a lesson of humilty. This mirrors the tests which were often passed by aspiring knights who wished to prove themselves deserving of the honor of knighthood. In Medieval society, sinners were required to pay for their sins by suffering an ordeal as penance. Although it is difficult to ascertain the extent to which chivalry was actually adhered, one can see how important the ideals were in the Middle Ages by studying Medieval works such as �Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,� and Chaucer�s �Prologue to the Canterbury Tales.�
Medieval society was one which centered around religious, political, and chivalric societal ideals. By examining the literature of the period, one can see how deeply these ideals influenced the writers. By providing insight into the changing social conditions, these people succeeded in shedding light on the Dark Ages.
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