Week 5 Flashcards
Does the Franklin’s have a happy ending?
Yes, all characters gave up something and there were no debts at the end. In romance, there is always a happy ending.
What is the main idea of the Franklin’s tale?
Be noble. Keep your word, chivalry, generosity of spirit.
Why is the Franklin’s tale a typical world of romance?
Magic, idealistic story
History of courtly live
Provence, troubadours
How did courtly love come to England?
By means of Eleanor of Acquitaine (1122-1204), granddaughter of the first troubadour.
She perfecte the tradition, educated as a man, familiar with tradition. Becomes wife of Henry II, patroness of artists, brings courtly love to England.
Stages of courtly love
- Attraction
- Worship from afar
- Declaration of devotion
- Virtuous rejection
- Love-sickness
- Lady takes pity (impossible quest)
- Heroic deeds that win lady’s heart
- Consummation of secret love
- Adultery and such endless adventures to avoid detection
What is the difference between marriage vs courtly love?
Courtly love: love between a woman, and a man of status. Beyond lust. Lady is superior. Often adultery. (Not spouses).
Marriage: spouses, business, lady inferior
Why marriage?
Business, not love
A sacrament after fourth Lateran council.
Priestly administration for procreation.
Courtly love
Literary convention
Love is an art
Power elevated to worship
Formative
Male perspective
Who were the main characters of the Franklin’s tale?
Arvirages (knight)
Dorigen (lady)
Aurelius (squire)
Formal vs. Informal pronouns (ME)
Plural forms were used to convey formality and to show one was lesser.
Singular forms were used if you were courting or were someone’s superior.
Chaucer and anti-feminism
Chaucer sheds light on both clergical misogyny and courtly love
“Women whine”, but also equal position in marriage. Somewhat takes the middle ground.
Medieval Romance characteristics
Origin: French
Narrative verse, octosyllabic
Long, later becomes prose
Performed oral, later clerks write it down
Audience: court
Idea of chivalry
Prowess in battle
Ritualised battle
Defends poor and vulnerable marian devotion
We’re the early Middle Ages epic or romance?
Mostly epic;
The hero redeems people in hour of need against impossible odds in physical fights.
Alliterative verses, long poems, minstrels and folklore, name never forgotten.
