Romance in Medieval England
Romance in Medieval England
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………..page 1
Chapter One………………………………….page 2
Origins and Understanding Concepts
Chapter Two………………………………….page 6
Courtly Love
Chapter Three………………………………...page 8
Devotional and Mystical Romances
Conclusion…………………………………...page 10
Biography…………………………………….page 11
Introduction
What was “love” in the Middle Ages? What did it mean in Medieval England? These questions present a topic of enduring interest both to medievalists and to myself. The large amount of perspectives and the subjective nature of literary material salvaged from that time present a formidable challenge to any scholar. However, in this paper, I will try to analyze and constitute a summary of the main depictions of love that can be found in texts that address this particular aspect. I have chosen this particular topic as my paper’s subject for three principal reasons. Firstly, because of my interest and passion regarding English literature as one of the oldest, most varied and rich literatures in Europe and my affinity to the language itself. Secondly, for the reason that I am fascinated by the scholarly pursuit of understanding the social and cultural mechanisms of an early age such as the Middle Ages, especially the famous and intricate English Middle Ages. Lastly, because of the subject itself: the depictions of love through the literary means of writings called “romances”. This final reason for choosing this subject encompasses both my passion for literature and the enduring theme of love, a very rich and inexhaustible leitmotif.
Yet for understanding the blend of literature, Medieval England and love, we must first define these entire concepts and thoroughly understand them and their particular connection to one another, their meaning in that particular time and place. To this end, I will proceed to define and clarify these matters in the next
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………..page 1
Chapter One………………………………….page 2
Origins and Understanding Concepts
Chapter Two………………………………….page 6
Courtly Love
Chapter Three………………………………...page 8
Devotional and Mystical Romances
Conclusion…………………………………...page 10
Biography…………………………………….page 11
Introduction
What was “love” in the Middle Ages? What did it mean in Medieval England? These questions present a topic of enduring interest both to medievalists and to myself. The large amount of perspectives and the subjective nature of literary material salvaged from that time present a formidable challenge to any scholar. However, in this paper, I will try to analyze and constitute a summary of the main depictions of love that can be found in texts that address this particular aspect. I have chosen this particular topic as my paper’s subject for three principal reasons. Firstly, because of my interest and passion regarding English literature as one of the oldest, most varied and rich literatures in Europe and my affinity to the language itself. Secondly, for the reason that I am fascinated by the scholarly pursuit of understanding the social and cultural mechanisms of an early age such as the Middle Ages, especially the famous and intricate English Middle Ages. Lastly, because of the subject itself: the depictions of love through the literary means of writings called “romances”. This final reason for choosing this subject encompasses both my passion for literature and the enduring theme of love, a very rich and inexhaustible leitmotif.
Yet for understanding the blend of literature, Medieval England and love, we must first define these entire concepts and thoroughly understand them and their particular connection to one another, their meaning in that particular time and place. To this end, I will proceed to define and clarify these matters in the next
Bibliography: Jaeger, C. Stephen – “Ennobling Love: In Search of a Lost Sensibility” Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1999 Burgess, Glynn S and Keith Busby – “Introduction.” The Lais of Marie de France London, Penguin Books, 1999 Mehl, Dieter – “The Middle English Romances of Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries” New York: Barns & Noble, 1969 McCarthy, Conor – “Love, Marriage, and Law: Three Canterbury Tales.” English Studies 6, 2002 Coleman, TW – “English Mystics of the Fourteenth Century” London, Epworth Press, 1938 Hibbard, Laura A. – “Medaeval Romance in England: A Study of Sources and Analogues of the Non-Cyclic Metrical Romances” New York, Burt Franklin, 1960 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/