Medieval Literature Background Questions

Medieval Literature Name:__________________
Global Literature: Europe Unit

1. How did the Medieval Age get it’s name? Why was it called this?




2. What was the feudal system? Explain its hierarchy and how it worked.






3. What would daily life be like for a peasant?
Work:


Food:


Home:


4. What would daily life be like for a Lord?
Work:


Food:


Home:


5. What would daily life be like for a Baron:
Work:


Food:


Home:

6. What would daily life be like for a Bishop:
Work:

Food:


Home:


7. What would daily life be like for a King:
Work:


Food:


Home:



8. What church was the most powerful? How did it dictate people’s lives?





9. What was the “War of the Roses”? Who were the white and red roses? How did this affect Medieval Europe?






10. What was life if you were a woman in Medieval times?





11. What would daily life be like for a monk?
Work:


Food:


Home:


12. Who were pilgrims (we’re not talking Mayflower here)? What did they do?




13. Who was Chaucer, why is he so famous and how does he help explain pilgrims?


14. What were Chaucer’s three estates? Explain each one of them.
A.


B.


C.



15. Explain Chaucer’s writing style? What was it and why was it so popular (HINT: You need to know what “Iambic pentameter is)?





16. How did plays and literature play a part in daily life for people in Medieval Europe?






17. What plagues surged through Medieval Europe? What were some of the defenses people took against these?





18. How do we define the end of Medieval Europe?





19. How did all these factors and events at this time affect and reflect your literary movement?