Write short notes on: The courtly romances, the NormanConquest, allegory, the alliterative revival (MEG 101 CHAUCER)

Write short notes on:

• The courtly romances, 
• the NormanConquest, 
• allegory, 
• the alliterative revival

The courtly romances:

The courtly romance was a popular genre of literature in medieval Europe that was characterized by tales of chivalry, love, and adventure. These stories typically revolved around noble knights and their pursuit of a virtuous lady, often involving quests, jousting tournaments, and other adventures. Courtly romances were a reflection of the ideals of chivalry and courtly love, and they had a significant influence on later works of literature, such as Shakespeare's plays and modern romance novels.

The Norman Conquest:

The Norman Conquest was a pivotal event in English history that took place in 1066. It involved the invasion of England by the Normans, a group of people from what is now modern-day France. The invasion led to significant changes in English culture, language, and government, as the Normans brought with them their own language, customs, and laws. The Norman Conquest had a lasting impact on English literature, as many writers of the time were heavily influenced by Norman culture and language.

Allegory:

Allegory is a literary technique that involves using symbolic characters, objects, or events to convey a deeper meaning or message. In allegorical works, the surface story or narrative is often a metaphor for a more abstract concept, such as morality, spirituality, or politics. Examples of allegorical works include Dante's "Divine Comedy," which uses a journey through the afterlife as a metaphor for the soul's progress towards enlightenment, and Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," which tells the story of a journey to the Celestial City as a metaphor for the Christian life.

The alliterative revival:

The alliterative revival was a literary movement in medieval England that took place in the 14th and 15th centuries. It involved a renewed interest in the use of alliteration, a poetic technique in which the initial sounds of words in a line are repeated, as a means of composing poetry. The alliterative revival is characterized by works such as "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Piers Plowman," which employ complex alliterative verse and explore themes of morality, spirituality, and social justice. The alliterative revival had a significant influence on later works of English literature, such as the poetry of William Wordsworth and Gerard Manley Hopkins.