Discuss the Form and Style of Middle English Period.

Form and Style of Middle English Period: 

One of the main features of this period is the development of metre which replaced Old English poetry. Different kinds of poems were written in Middle English Period for example-Laymond Brut wrote alliterative metre. King Horn, Havloc the Dane are some of the earliest romances where we find the competent use of metre.

Lyric was another form of poetry of the Middle English Period. Many Lyrics were religious in theme. There were some secular lyric as well as love lyrics. However it is difficult to separate the secular lyrics and love lyrics.

The romances were another form of poetry of the Middle English Period. The French influence is apparent in these romances. The stories were long in romances. It told story of battle, heroism, love etc.

The prose was another works of literature. The prose of Ancrene Riwle and Chatherene group has been accepted for its true value.

The romances form a considerable part of Middle English period. They could draw the interest of the readers. The romances were classified according to their subject under the following heads-

(i)                         The matter of Britain,

(ii)                     (ii) The matter of Rome,

(iii)                  (iii) The matter of French.

These romances give us a picture of contemporary life and manners. The Arthurian romances dealt with the heroes of English history. There was also some alliterative poetry. Even some of the romances were written alliterative verse. In fact religious poetry dominated the atmosphere of Middle English poetry. These poems were allegorical poems. There were also a large number of chronicles. The writers call them chronicles but they also belong to romances. Therefore we can say romances were the dominating literary form of the Middle English Period.