14.2 Courtly love and chivalric literature

Courtly love and chivalric literature shaped medieval European culture. These literary concepts emphasized noble ideals, knightly devotion to idealized ladies, and quests for honor. They emerged in the late 11th century and greatly influenced literature, social norms, and perceptions of love.

Key figures like Chrétien de Troyes and Marie de France popularized these themes. Their works promoted chivalric values, elevated women's status, and contributed to refined court culture. Though idealized, these concepts had a lasting impact on Western literature and romantic ideals.

Courtly Love and Chivalric Literature

Concept of courtly love

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• Medieval European literary conception of love emphasizing nobility and chivalry
• Emerged in the late 11th century among Provence nobility (southern France)
• Characterized by a knight's devotion to an idealized, often unattainable lady
• Key elements include nobility, chivalry, devotion, idealization of the beloved, secrecy, and adultery (as the lady was often married)
• Significantly influenced medieval literature
  • Central theme in works of troubadours (Occitan), trouvères (northern France), and minnesingers (Germany)
  • Inspired new literary genres like the romance and lyric poetry
  • Influenced portrayal of love and relationships, emphasizing a knight's devotion to his lady

Features of chivalric literature

• Genre of medieval literature focusing on ideals of knighthood, chivalry, and courtly love
• Idealizes women as virtuous, beautiful, and often unattainable
  • Knights expected to serve and honor their ladies through brave deeds and devotion
• Features quest motif where knights embark on quests to prove valor, loyalty, and devotion
  • Involves challenges like battles with monsters or rival knights and tests of moral character
• Emphasizes chivalric values of honor, courage, loyalty, generosity, and courtesy
• Incorporates supernatural elements like magic, wizards, and mythical creatures (dragons, unicorns)
• Many set in the world of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table (Camelot)

Authors of courtly literature

• Chrétien de Troyes (12th century French poet)
  • Credited with developing the Arthurian romance genre
  • Major works: "Erec and Enide" (knight neglects duties for love), "Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart" (introduces Lancelot and Guinevere's love), "Yvain, the Knight of the Lion" (knight's quest for redemption and love), "Perceval, the Story of the Grail" (first mention of the Holy Grail)
• Marie de France (12th century French poet)
  • Known for her lais (short narrative poems) and fables
  • Major works: "Lais" (12 poems dealing with love and chivalry like "Lanval" and "Chevrefoil"), "Fables" (103 fables featuring animals conveying moral lessons)

Impact on medieval society

• Promoted ideals of chivalry and courtly behavior
  • Encouraged knights to be brave, loyal, and courteous
  • Emphasized importance of honor and moral character
• Influenced perception of women
  • Elevated their status by portraying them as objects of devotion and admiration
  • However, also reinforced gender stereotypes of women as passive and idealized
• Contributed to development of refined court culture (manners, etiquette, artistic pursuits)
  • Influenced fashion, music, and dance in medieval courts
• Shaped perception of love and relationships
  • Popularized idea of romantic love as noble and elevating
  • Promoted unrealistic, idealized view often at odds with realities of medieval marriage and society
• Had lasting impact on Western literature and culture despite limitations and contradictions
  • Influenced development of romance genre and portrayal of love
  • Contributed to idealization of chivalry and knightly virtues in popular imagination