Theme. A theme is the central idea in a literary work. Try to identify the theme as you read each lyric.
Simile. A simile is a comparison using like or as. It compares two things that have some feature or aspect in common. Look for a simile in one of the lyrics.
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Because of the tremendous influence of the Catholic Church, the religious lyrics from the Medieval Period far outnumber the secular ones. Some religious lyrics, including “Ubi Sunt Qui ante Nos Fuerunt,” dwelt on the fear of death and the contemplation of heaven. As the selection’s title demonstrates, many of these lyrics were originally written in Latin.
The religious lyric “I Sing of a Maiden” (circa 1400) celebrates the Virgin Mary. Such lyrics had their origins in France, where the veneration of the Virgin Mary developed into the code of courtly love. Poetry brought back to France with the Crusaders from Persia influenced the development of courtly love as well. “I Sing of a Maiden” also contains elements of secular lyrics that celebrate the coming of spring. The poet creates a symbolic comparison between the return of spring and the Virgin Birth.
The following selections are printed in the original Middle English alongside Modern English translations.
Explain whether you live your life based on your beliefs about the afterlife or if you live solely for the moment.
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