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Medieval literature from roughly 1100-1500 relies heavily on features from chivalry and
courtly love, gallantry towards women, and brave heroes to further plot lines. Because chivalrous
conduct was expected of gentlemen of the day, implementing those details into stories reinforced
the most valued characteristics one could have. Religion – especially Catholicism – played a key
role as to what topics and lessons were to be focused on in medieval literature. Because the “sole
purpose of life was to please God,” the literature produced needed to reflect that (Alvarez). Early
modern literature, which spans from 1485 until about 1800, changed with the rise of literacy and
the consumption of printed literature. With literacy becoming more and more prevalent among
the middle class, more opportunities for those outside the aristocracy to read, write, and be
educated began to come to light. There are developments in formal education which allowed
writers to have better access to materials like classic Greek literature and accessible translations
of the Bible. While it was still a highly religious society, early modern writers began to dip into
“hierarchies of gender, ethnicity, age, religious affiliation, and social status” (“Early Modern
Literature”). Also, within literary culture, a new entanglement of royal politics comes into play.
With these opening pathways for ideas to surge, there was a climate for classics like Edmund
Spenser’s The Faerie Queen and the works of Shakespeare.
The canon is accessible to students around the globe; texts within both periods are
discussed in detail to showcase personal problems or to teach a valuable lesson. Even though it
seems very different, popular music has the same goals. Pop songs have dramatic themes and tell
stories about love and loss - just like medieval and early modern literature. Because of this,
canonical works feel more accessible to their readers as universal themes are shared with popular
songs. Though classic literature and pop songs may vary in quality, both forms of media include
an important lesson or decision that the audience is meant to learn from. These two expressive