The Alliterative Revival and Estate Satire in Middle English Literature

The Alliterative Revival

In Middle English poetry, alliterative verse experienced a resurgence known as the Alliterative Revival. While rhyme played a significant role in other forms, alliteration was the primary structural element in this movement.

William Langland and Piers Plowman

William Langland, believed to have been born in the West Midlands, was a prominent figure in the Alliterative Revival. His most famous work, Piers Plowman, offers potential autobiographical insights and suggests familiarity with London. Scholars speculate that he may have been a cleric of a lower class.

Piers Plowman: A Dream Vision

Piers Plowman is a verse allegory presented as a dream vision, a popular literary device in the Middle Ages used to convey truths or real events. The poem is divided into sections called "passus" and exists in three different versions (A, B, and C). Langland's work exemplifies the characteristics of the Alliterative Revival.

The Prologue and Social Criticism

In the prologue of Piers Plowman, the narrator criticizes the Church, a theme that resonated with the rebels of the Peasants' Revolt. Langland's work serves as an estate satire, offering a critical view of 14th-century English society through the narrator's dream.

Social Commentary in Piers Plowman

Langland presents a social panorama of England, contrasting innocent characters like hardworking laborers (represented by the honest "Piers Plowman" figure, a model Christian) with immoral members of society, such as corrupt lawyers. He criticizes the Church for not adhering to Jesus's teachings.

Estate Satire in The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales also employs estate satire. The pilgrims embarking on a pilgrimage to Canterbury exhibit three common characteristics:

• They travel on horseback.
• They agree to tell tales to entertain each other.
• They share a sense of enthusiasm, optimism, and energy.

Representing almost every layer of medieval English society, the pilgrims belong to three main social classes: the military aristocracy, the Church, and commoners. Chaucer's portrayal of the Church provides significant insight into his social commentary.

Through his characters, Chaucer expresses concern about the declining morals of English society, where the love of money and materialism have gained prominence.