British Literature
Entry Task: Today we are starting the Middle
Ages (1066 – 1485) which is a sharp contrast to
the Anglo-Saxon era of history.
What do you know about the Middle Ages ?
(hint Feudalism, knights of the round table, wars)?
What are you excited to study from this time
era?
Learning Goals
• Students will be exposed to other cultures and
time periods, quality literature and
effective/varied writing styles
• Students will begin to understand key facts
that influenced and developed literature
• Students will write effectively in expository
mode to examine/analysis a complex idea
Learning Targets For Middle Ages
- Students will recognize cultural aspects of the Middle Ages and the
corresponding effects on literature (women’s roles/chivalry)
- Students will recognize the social influence of the Norman Invasion
(feudalism/Hierarchal society)
- Students will recognize the “Great Happenings” and their effects on the
culture and literature (Crusades, Magna Carta, Black Death)
- Students will recognize the concept of a pilgrimage
- Students will recognize Chaucer’s style: (Frame story; iambic pentameter
& couplets; satire; indirect/direct characterization)
- Students will analyze the satire of typical British citizenry in the Middle
Ages: (the church, Lesser nobility, Laborers, dishonest and greedy business
people)
Middle Ages Notes
Read pages 28 – 37; 140 – 141.
Take notes
• THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
• I. Historical Context
•
A. The Monarchy (p. 28)
•
B. War and Plague (pp. 29)
• II. Cultural Influences
•
A. Feudalism and the Church (pp. 29–30)
•
B. Chivalry and Courtly Love (p. 30)
• III. Literature of the Times
•
A. The Age of Chaucer (p. 31–32)
•
B. Medieval Romance (pp. 32–33)
• IV. Medieval Narratives
A. The Medieval Reader (p. 140)
B. Characteristics of Chaucer’s Style (p.140 – 141)
Exit task
Reflect on the learning targets for today. Do you feel
you met the targets?
• Students will be exposed to other cultures and time periods, quality
literature and effective/varied writing styles
• Students will begin to understand key facts that influenced and developed
literature
• Students will write effectively in expository mode to examine/analysis a
complex idea
1. What is one thing that you completed or learned
today that you found interesting?
2. What is one thing that you feel you can improve in
future classes?