The Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory / (Periods of European Literature, vol. II)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21600

Title

The Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory / (Periods of European Literature, vol. II)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George Saintsbury's scholarly survey of 12th and 13th-century European literature, focusing on the flourishing of romance and the rise of allegory. This volume examines French chansons de geste, Arthurian legends, classical romances, and the unique development of Icelandic sagas and Provençal poetry, offering a comparative analysis of how diverse national literatures contributed to a shared European intellectual heritage.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory*, Professor George Saintsbury offers a sweeping survey of European literature during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. He argues that while deep specialization in individual languages is difficult, a broad perspective reveals the profound interconnectedness of European culture. Saintsbury begins by examining the function of Latin literature, noting its influence on phraseology and method, before turning to the *chansons de geste*. These French epics celebrate the heroic deeds of Charlemagne and his peers, distinguished by their 'realist quality' and specific metrical forms. Saintsbury contrasts these with the later romances of the Matter of Britain, tracing the evolution of the Arthurian legend from its Celtic roots through French refinement to its dramatic perfection in the Grail stories. He observes how the legend transformed into a vehicle for international human interests rather than purely nationalistic ones. The text also explores classical romances, such as the Troy story and the Alexander legends, which were adapted and expanded across Europe. A significant portion is dedicated to the settlement of European prosody, contrasting the early maturity of Icelandic and Provençal verse. Saintsbury praises the sagas for their intense local character and law-abiding yet savage nature, despite their lack of appeal to a broader audience compared to universal romances. He further analyzes the Provençal troubadour tradition, which influenced the whole of Europe, alongside the Spanish *Poema del Cid*. Throughout the work, Saintsbury defends the value of a general literary history that supplements rather than supplants specialized histories, aiming to guard against the dangers of ignorance that accompany deep specialization. The volume concludes by reflecting on the unique insularity of Icelandic literature versus the cosmopolitan nature of French and English romances, celebrating the artistic completeness of these contrasting cultural expressions.

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Categories

• Romance
• Allegory
• Medieval Literature