In Medieval literature the most important forms of poetry were the Medieval lyrics. They have conventional themes and forms such as spring lyrics, love lyrics, or religious lyrics. They were accompanied by music and sung.
Ballads are short anonymous narrative poems or songs. They deals with tragic events, also with supernatural elements, legendary figure such as Robin Hood or an important historical event. They are written in English in a very direct language and simple metrical pattern with the use of refrain(the repetition of one or more lines).
Another important form of literature of Middle Ages is Medieval drama. It was a public show and the citizens were involved in its preparation. There are 2 forms of it: Mystery Plays based on episodes of the Bible and Morality Plays based on the allegorical representations of vice and virtues of mankind.
The most influential form of literary prose in Middle Ages is Romance. Its subject is the deeds of Knights, with fighting, romantic love, supernatural events in exotic places and by fantastic journeys. The life of Knights with their devotion to God, to their lady, with the defense of weak people against the power of evil and supernatural forces.
Romance is dived in three parts or “matters”:
The matter of France
The Matter of Britain
The Matter of Rome
The Matter of Britain deals with the Arthurian legend and “Le morte Arthur”by Thomas Malory who gave a narrative unity to the stories of king Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and the Quest of Holy Grail