Adaptions of Classical Elements in the Medieval System

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 1,3, University of Leipzig (Anglistik), course: Kulturstudien: The Centres and Margins of English Culture , language: English, abstract: References to, and adaptions of classic elements into medieval works and, subsequently society were declared contrary to the Christian doctrine and thus sanctioned and restricted. Considered as 'absurd and obscene mythology and practices' (Steel), the prestigious status of the classical world declined. However, this declaration of the Christian institution could not hinder the medieval scholar's and society's fascination for the inspiring aspects of antiquity. In fact, the unearthly Christian doctrine lacked explanations about the world enjoyment and factual reason. Therefore, to fill these gaps, the medieval philosopher escaped into paganism. However, in order to utilize the pagan references, the authorities of the academic medieval world were encouraged to seek answers for the question of their legitimization. As a result, an ambiguous and blurry variety of justifications and functions was established that is still in need for clarification. Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales provides a prototypical categorization of how medieval scholars and writers justified references to the classics and for what purpose they were used. These are distinguishable by perceiving the text in a pagan context, a Christian context, and a universal context.