In many texts published in the fin-de-siècle, there are extreme class differences that effect various relationships in both forms of platonic love and romantic love. Within these relationships, it seems as though there are plenty of fantastical elements that come into play in order to reconcile these differences. Relationships in various stories need a specific element of fantasy to provide a bridge between relationships. Using examples from James, Chesnutt, Jewett, Norris, Wilde and Whitman, it can be seen that class differences can affect relationships to the point where fantasy is needed to resolve these issues.…
Like Malory, Marie distances herself from the source of the narrative in Lanval. She opens the lai saying, “I shall tell you the adventure of another lai, / just as it happened: / it was composed about a very noble vassal” (lines 1-3). She establishes that the story has been passed to her and acts instead as a channel for it, merely repeating the events as they were told to her. The story seems to be already written, indicated in the line “it was composed” (line 3). Yet, Lanval is a figure that, as far as I can discern, was first popularized in Marie’s lai. Marie acts the same way modern authors do, writing the stories of characters who are only tangentially related to Arthur’s story. Lanval was a member of Arthur’s Round Table, and his absence in other stories is explained as, “… Arthur forgot him, / and none of his men favored him either” (lines 19-20). Lanval exists on the furthest edge of the Arthurian legend the same way the lai itself does, untouched by modern authors seeking to adapt Arthurian works, even though it leaves gaps and questions like Malory’s Morte Darthur does. The story also adds to the Arthurian legend in that it further establishes Guinevere as an adulteress. She attempts to seduce Lanval, who refuses her advances (lines 261-274). In the grand scheme of the legend, it creates a precedent for her affair with…
Tanner does this by addressing “the use of ambiguity and the manipulation of gender stereotypes” (138). Tanner first explores how ambiguity “is used consistently to portray Ebain as a bad lord” (142). Ebain is also emasculated as “it is he and not a damsel who needs rescuing from the dragon” (Tanner 142). Tanner comments on the many other poor qualities Ebain possess including his unchecked anger that frequently clouds his judgment and causes him to make rash decisions (144). Tanner then compares Ebain to Silence as it is “Ebain’s anger and subsequent unjust behavior that will be exposed by Silence’s patience” (144). Tanner finds that the poet “reverses the traditional gendering of emotion and reason” by portraying a man with the impulsive qualities of a woman (144). Tanner next explores the character of the French King who is the pinnacle of positive masculine traits because of this his “vassals flourish and peace reigns in his kingdom because he honors them by seeking and following their advice, behaving with justice and self-restraint, and rewarding their good service” (147). Tanner notes that the French King and “Silence’s actions exemplify the ideals of noble behavior” (147). By the end of the romance Silence has given…
Isabelle De Charriere, on the other hand, was born over one hundred years after the death of Loyseau and into a family of noble birth. In her autobiographical work, she begins to expound some criticisms of…
Anne was extraordinary women of the late 15th century where she is known as a principled and strong woman from those times. Anne was known as to Madame la Grande from her generation and it was an active and a significant figure in France during the 15th century. These lessons that Anne has written to let other women know that they stand for society and if they do a fault it will stain them that will be like a scar that would never remove. According to the book, “Anne of France, Lessons for My Daughter” said “And so my daughter, devote yourself completely to acquiring virtue. Behave so that your reputation may be worthy…”. This statement is telling that Anne wants her daughter to behave in a way that people would see her as a worthy person instead of a royal figure.…
Courtly love is one of the most significant and recognizable parts of medieval society. It was a literary movement that celebrated the relationships between a man and a woman. According to the book, while living in Poiters, Eleanor and her daughter Marie established the city as the center of secular culture and literary movement that celebrated courtly love. What originated and flourished at this time was the troubadour poetry. The poets that mainly comprised of men were known for “inventing” romantic love. They invented this word and conventions used to describe love and had used is in three main or specific features. The primary one was about a longing toward someone with a status different from their own or maybe they were already married…
The romance of Courtly Love practiced during the Middle Ages was combined with the Code of Chivalry. There were strict rules of courtly love and the members of the courts practiced the art of courtly love across Europe during the Middle Ages. The romance, rules and art of courtly love allowed knights and ladies to show their admiration regardless of their marital state. It was a common occurrence for a married lady to give a token to a knight of her choice to be worn during a medieval tournament. There were rules, which governed courtly love, but sometimes the parties, who started their relationship with such elements of courtly love, would become deeply involved. Examples of relationships, which were stirred by romantic courtly love, chivalry and romance, are described in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Chaucer’s Wife of Bath. Many illicit court romances were fuelled by the practice and art of courtly love. The most fertile field of the romance genre was the Arthurian romance. Closely related to the romance tradition were two idealized standards of behavior: chivalry and courtly love. Many modern people think of chivalry as referring to a…
In the 12th century, there was written a set of rules that were known as the Rules of Courtly Love, based on the De Amore of Andreas Capellanus. The piece of work has a main purpose of describing common customs of that era, and are known today for trying to classify the rules of love. This ideal of courtly love, existed primarily between men and women of the upper class having some sort of romance experience with someone outside their marriage. Its’ fundamental notion was to help us understand relationships between men and women in the medieval time.…
Love is a beautiful thing and when it happens, you hold it dearest to your heart. In The Letters of Abelard and Heloise, Abelard and Heloise’s relationship and letters discuss virginity, punishment, sex, and a woman’s role in society. This portrayed the religious and ethical views of the era as well as point out problems within the church and society. Abelard and Heloise are one of the most admired couples of all time, known for their love affair and also for the tragedy that separated them. They were both intelligent and very educated. Abelard was often at odds with the church because of his adventurous thinking and Heloise was strong willed. Living under her uncle’s roof, she falls in love with Abelard at the age of 19. Abelard wanted to teach Heloise so he convinces Uncle Fulbert to let him move in with them as well. As it is at this young age, the emotion and term of love is still in the process of maturing and it is difficult to control it. Because of how attracted and in love they were with each other, their sexual relationship also intensified resulting in the birth of a child. In the middle ages, women weren’t as free as women today. Women back then were commonly found in convents and places where they could build a spiritual relationship with God, not men.…
willing to sacrifice self for the worthy cause of the afflicted and weak; on the…
Being forced into isolation is a deep dislike by majority of the human race. Many may associate isolation with a punishment or consequence, but it can ultimately serve a greater purpose. Sometimes being surrounded by too many people can plant seeds that will eventually bear problems, issues, and overall negativity. With that being said, it is always refreshing to have time set aside in order to meditate and recuperate. There are plenty of negative factors in isolation, as well as positive. For instance, studying and expecting the outcome to be successful will most likely occur when one is alone and able to focus, whereas one who attempts to focus while viewing a television or listening to music cannot and should not expect positive results. It is easy to predict how one will react while isolated until the situation becomes a personal reality. If I was stranded on an island, figuratively…
“ Le chateaux de ma mere” by Marcel Pagnol is a memorable, enjoyable text in which the story takes an abrupt turn at the conclusion of the book. Pagnol utilises the majority of the text to develop the story of months and a series of events, however he majestically creates a sudden change in the final components of the book which span a period of decades. It is not solely the series of events that turns, the atmosphere and ambience of the text alters to a sombre and dark mood from the happy one that preceded it. In doing this, Pagnol grabs the attention of the reader and entices them to question why he has done so and the significance of his alternations.…
Marguerite was forced into love from an extremely young age. Her first romantic relationship was with a boy named Willem. Marguerite and Willem spend some time alone. The environment surrounding was normal and calm until Marguerite asks him for a kiss. The author reveals that Willem is astounded by the words coming out of her mouth. “I’ve never kissed anybody, and I think it’s time I did, let’s say, as a scientific experiment.” Marguerite’s second relationship was a forced marriage by her father. This was not uncommon in medieval times. The count invited knights, noblemen, and guild masters to dinner to announce that Marguerite was ready for marriage. “She will marry Edmund of Langley, Duke of Cambridge, Prince of England and youngest son of King Edward the third “. It is presumed that Marguerite felt very uncomfortable about her father’s big announcement. “I’m nowhere as beautiful as my mother”. As marguerite got to know Edmund a bit more, she grew to feel weary about him. This lead her into her final relationship with a man named Philip. Philip was invited to the Castle of Male as Marguerite’s final option of marriage. At first the two had a peculiar relationship, however, they grew to love each other and get married. “My lady, your husband to be will fight with your veil for your greater honour and glory… But I will fight in my shirtsleeves for your love”. Marguerite found the love…
From the very beginning, Marie Antoinette was born as an Austrian princess. She was the favored and most beautiful daughter. Her mother, strategically arranged for Marie to marry in order to form a new alliance with France. Just at the age of 14, she was married and then became queen of a foreign country. Seems like a huge responsibility for such a young girl... And nevertheless it was. At the end of her reign, Marie Antoinette ended up being an unfit ruler and was hated by the majority of France.…
At some point in everybody’s life, love is reached. This affection is part of our human experience. The strong emotional attachment expresses our physical compassion towards one another. In many different ways love can be expressed and can lead to both fulfilment and grief. Throughout writings of literature, love has been presented in various styles. Through the works of “Wulf and Eadwacer”, Guillaume IX, and Marie de France, separate approaches of love are shown. The themes of love being unattainable, overwhelming, and sorrowful reveal the expression of love.…