Essay Questions

King Horn is considered the oldest extant example of Medieval Chivalric Romance. Which elements of this genre can be found in this poem?

Medieval Chivalric Romance represents a literary version of the chivalric code. This code prescribed on how a man of noble birth has to act. Considering this background, Horn's journey is a perfect representation of this code. Horn is a handsome character that is thrown into the world by turmoil, but masters every challenge. He succeeds in wooing his true love and resists temptation from other women and power. He is merciless to his foes, but truly generous to those loyal to him. The genre often uses the theme of a long journey to provide its heroes with enough opportunity to show their chivalric morality. It is no wonder that King Horn counts as the quintessential example for this era's literature.

The story contains two important female characters, Rymenhild and Reynhild. Which roles do these characters fill and how do they express themselves?

Unfortunately Medieval Europe had a limited feminist movement. Throughout the story both these characters are treated as a good that can be exchanged for power. This is true for Rymenhild, who is married off an incredible three times within the story and whose own agency is completely ignored. However, this disregard for the feelings of the women is even greater in Reynhild's case. She is used as a pawn to make Horn stay in Ireland and later as a reward for Athulf's loyalty. While they both provide the Hero with the opportunity to prove his chivalric morals, their own concept of self is left out of the story.

Chivalric romance, by modern standards, is often described as idealistic. Using King Horn as an example, how can this view be supported/refuted?

Considering the plot of King Horn, this stance can only be supported. The main character is a perfect human specimen that follows every rule and succeeds at every turn. His fights are glorious, not gory, his love is pure. If one thinks about the timeline presented in the poem, it is highly unlikely that Horn, a soldier and war hero, would refuse any female attention for seven years to return to a woman he only knew for a few years of his youth. Other characters also act purely in favor of the chivalric code. Athulf is a quintessential unidimensional character whose only defining characteristic is loyalty. Similar things could be said about any other character in the poem. To summarize, the critique that chivalric romance is idealistic has to be supported. However, considering the time and intended audience, such idealism was necessary.