TMT Love Flashcards
Devise…
Devise…sotilly…secrely
- there is irony in the lovers’ first private meeting being entirely innocent: may is fulfilling her husband’s commands, but once the elements of a courtly love situation are established, the vocabulary of deceit is undeniable
Hir fresshe beautee..
Hir fresshe beautee and hir age tender
- choses a fresh and young women, focuses on her physical attributes and sexual appearance
He was so ravisshed…
He was so ravisshed on his lady may that for verray peyne he was ny wood
- Damyan was enraptured with may and was almost mad due to the true pain of love he suffered, he condemned to suffer until may takes pity on him and that ‘suffering’ is reminiscent of courtly love
Fruit of…
Fruit of his tresor
- the merchant combines 2 images: that of life in ‘fruit’ and money in ‘treasure’, the comparison of women to fruit is in reference to the garden of Eden (poisonous and forbidden), the women is either a man’s most treasured possession or his best purchase
Under this yok…
Under this yok of marriage ybounde
- the merchant
Save that he siketh…
Save that he siketh wonder depe and soore
- Damyan on being lovesick
He wepeth and…
He wepeth and waileth pitously; And therwithal the fyr of jalousie
- januarie’s jealously over may
For love is blind…
For love is blind alday, and may nat see
- merchant refers to januarie’s decision to marry her bc of youth & beauty, central theme of delusion with love
Metaphor links marriage based on lust rather than love
Symbolism of blindness ironic as it refers to a choice made on what he ‘sees’ alluding to januarie’s ignorance & lack of foresight
His fresshe may…
His fresshe may, his paradis, his make
- in calendars, may is associated with hunting, hawking and gathering flowers - pursuits associated with courtly love, is a domain that may controls
