Does medieval literature have a place in modern society?

Kings and queens, knights and crusades, magicians and miracles – the world of medieval literature is an alluring opportunity to enter a very different time. But if you’re expecting to just come across Game of Thrones in manuscript form then think again. The difficulty that comes with reading documents and texts from so long ago can often make it not seem worthwhile. So, is it worth dipping into the archives and exploring medieval literature, or are we better off leaving the past in the past?

There is a certain hubris that can be found (nowhere more so than in school curricula) which might force something like The Canterbury Tales or the works of Shakespeare on schoolchildren and then disregard any complaints against this as immaturity or inability to appreciate a masterpiece. However,  it’s impossible to ignore the fact that a huge gulf exists between these texts and the modern day. The linguistic difference is the most obvious obstacle, especially in medieval texts that are pre-Shakespeare, but it is a cultural difference that undoubtedly poses the most problems. Many of the moments that capture a facet of humanity that we recognise (love, greed, jealousy etc.), are drowned out by the less familiar likes of excessive piety, chivalry or dogmatism.

These characters have been continually readapted over the years to the point where their original medieval roots are almost unrecognisable

In fact, this cultural difference is often too easily taken by contemporary readers as an opportunity to judge the past on our own modern terms. There may well be a place for questioning the stereotypes and prejudices of the past or scoffing at medieval writers’ superstitions and supernatural beliefs, but only if we understand that by doing so we are taking the texts thoroughly outside of their own time. To look down on the past and assume our own superiority is narrow-minded in itself. As we would be when looking at a contemporary culture alien to ours, we are much better off attempting to understand and appreciate their world view.

Yet, for all the cultural differences, there are still figures such as Robin Hood and King Arthur who originated in medieval folklore and have endured to the present day. These characters have been continually readapted over the years to the point where their original medieval roots are almost unrecognisable, not to mention unattainable, since these legends stemmed from oral rather than written culture. So are modern reimaginings at all a substitute for the real thing?

To enjoy medieval literature on its own terms without struggle, in the same way that you might enjoy modern literature, is an unrealistic goal

While still remaining aware of how much these characters have changed and been mythologised over the years, I think that modern adaptations are some of the best ways for us to get a feel for what was enjoyed by our medieval ancestors. It’s almost like reading or watching a translation, albeit a cultural translation – some of the original meaning may be lost, but it can be appreciated and enjoyed with less struggle, as would have been the case with the first audiences.

I do not wish to conclude that going back to the originals is entirely pointless. To enjoy medieval literature on its own terms without struggle, in the same way that you might enjoy modern literature, is an unrealistic goal. But there is definitely something fascinating and rewarding about reading the original sources, giving a perspective that can’t truly be discerned from adaptations.

I would recommend browsing this online medieval sourcebook and sampling any of these texts that were written up to a thousand years ago. There’s so much there to allow you to immerse yourself in the period and experience a culture so unlike the present. There is definite pleasure to be gained from the enigma of these texts and the window they offer into a time we can’t fully understand.