The “matter of France” includes the subjects of the old
French epics. These concern the stories about Charlemagne and a good example is
the well-known Song of Roland. The “matter of Rome” concerned the tales of classical
antiquity, and included stories about Alexander and Troy amongst many others.
The “matter of Britain” derives from the history of Geoffrey
of Monmouth and made King Arthur into a national hero, the British counterpart
of Charlemagne. Nonetheless the pretence of solidity and historical truth found
in Geoffrey was not suitable for romantic purposes and the Arthur found in the “matter
of Britain” stories is very unlike the great imperial monarch and conqueror as
presented by Geoffrey and his followers.
Geoffrey announced his purpose – to set out the deeds of the
kings of the Britons from the first king, Brutus to Cadwaladr, i.e. from 1115
BC to AD 689. It created a new and rich history for a very old country –
Britain which by Geoffrey’s day had been forgotten and passed over for England.
His work restored pride for Britain’s people, the Britons. Because he left the
end tantalizingly open it meant that the Matter of Britain not only referred to
the glories of the past but might well have relevance for the future.
Geoffrey of Monmouth made Britain, not England, the subject
o his work and in the process provided Britain with a glorious pre-English and
non-English past. The Matter of Britain was an overwhelming success,
particularly as the fount of a remarkable body of literature.
Blog Question: What was it about the Matter of Britain that
was so attractive not only to British authors, but to the continental authors
of Romance?
I am not quite sure about this week's question...
ReplyDeletePerhaps themes of heroism, epic adventures, and triumph appeal to many no matter their origin.
Or perhaps the themes of brotherhood and loyalty can be conveniently fitted into ideas of knighthood and fealty. Moreover, perhaps the romantic aspects can easily be heightened through the themes of courtly love. I suppose what I am suggesting is that the Matter of Britain offers elements that can easily fit into the Romantic genre, and therefore, was readily taken up by continental authors.
The “matter of France” and the “matter of Rome” are similar to a certain extent, both works tell readers about epic events and heroic characters (e.g., Alexander) of those times; basically, the “matter of Britain” does contain similar elements. The “matter of Britain has a collection of interesting tales and important events, moreover, it represent factors in the development of Britain as a nation with its own heroes, legends, great love, and epic events, for instance, the Arthurian Legend. Many people are interested who was Arthur and still are not sure whether he was a brave Roman warrior, a fighter or “the greatest of all the kings”. Thus, the “matter of Britain” would attract the authors of continental Romance as the “matter of Britain” is the story of the nation written within a historical and mythical context; historical frame, fables about kings, great love, and deeds, something that would always fascinate readers and authors.
ReplyDeleteMaria S. (22504079).
The matter of Britain while being similar to many of its neighbours also allowed for a large amount of ambiguity, making it both relatable and flexible to interpretation. The tragic nature of many of the tales of British Heroes in both fantasy and reality links well with the romantic genre, in which for early romance authors an individual had to die.
ReplyDeleteThe flexibility of the tales also allows for an element of intrigue to exist. Many of Britains neighbours could stake a claim to the country at one point with it being invaded on multiple occasions, allowing them to conect with the characters as a part of their own national identity. Tales such as that of Brutus would have allowed people to connect with a more ancient and at least in their mind more idealic time.
I like your point about "Many of Britain's neighbours could stake a claim to the country at one point with it being invaded on multiple occasions, allowing them to conect with the characters as a part of their own national identity".
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