Question

explain some of the various medieval literary forms. why were writers employing these literary forms? your answer should be at least 100 words.

Answer 1

Medieval philosophical texts came in a variety of literary forms. Allegory is a medieval literary form where the story uses symbols and metaphors to show a profound moral or spiritual meaning. Aphorism is a brief and often humorous statement of truth or opinion. Axiom is an accepted principle or rule. Commentary is when a writer comments on, or explains the content of another written work, such as a sacred text. Dialogue is when characters hold conversations about serious topics. Soliloquy is where a character talks to himself. Meditation is used as a religious practice of contemplating spiritual subjects. Many of the writers were risking a reprimand from political and religious authorities so they tried to protect themselves from persecution by writing in a complex, almost cryptic-like manner. The allegories and commentaries served to conceal their true meaning from the people.

Answer 2

An example can be alliteration or the slavic antithesis or similar. Very often these pieces of writing were poems such as epic poems that would be sung to the people who were most often illiterate. Writers and poets would have to sing the entire epics to listeners which is why these devices are used. They make it easier to remember because they act as formulas that the poet can follow like a pattern and by repeating them all the time and changing some events and names he could remember more or if he forgets they would give him time to make something up and make up for the losses.