Legends and Epics

Stories about a person who folklorists are fairly sure actually existed. Differ in length and narrative style, with epics defined as longer stories that are often written in verse rather than in prose style as legends are. Influenced by cultural aspects of time and setting.

• Main character is often enduring symbol for an important value in society or is used as role model
• Complex struggles, decisions, and foibles of human nature

Beowulf

King Arthur:

The Legend of Osiris:

Don Quixote de la Mancha

•Published in 2 volumes in 1605 and 1615
•Most influential book in the Spanish literary canon

•Influenced such works as The Three Musketeers and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Digital Exhibit

Broadway Man of La Mancha

 

Le Morte d'Arthur

• By Sir Thomas Malory
• Traditional tales about King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table
• Malory interpreted existing French and English stories and added some original material
• First published in 1485 by William Caxton
• Best known work of Arthurian literature in English

Complete Stories

University of Rochester Exhibit