Courtly Love in Medieval Literature The Case of the Franklin’s Tale and others

2 Courtly Love – A Refresher Historical Beginnings 11 th century France – and other places Literary construction; not actual Andreas Capellanus’ text The Art of Courtly Love explained a system that did not actually translate into behavioral expectations “Named” in late 19 th century but aspects of it are woven throughout literary history (particularly Victorian) Basic tenets included the ennobling of the lover through engaging in love; the elevation of the beloved to a superior position; love as ever-increasing desire / insatiable.

3 Courtly Love Social Surroundings Court-based – suited particularly for nobility “who alone were considered capable of finer forms of behaviors and the levels of self-control” necessary for courtly romance (Hawkes 73). Partially a response to the practical marriages taking place in nobility – ‘emotional outlet’ for romance, passion Portions of it arose across geographical areas and centuries; The Origin and Meaning of Courtly Love assigns the most influence to Spanish-Arabic poets for ‘starting’ it all Catharist Church - suggested that this movement, developing simultaneous w/courtly love, influenced it – chastity and mystical elements particularly (Rougemont).

4 Courtly Love Relationship to the Church Courtly love at odds with Church - Capellanus’ Art of Courtly Love Heresy of Courtly Love condemns it Franklin’s Tale – Breton lai, so pre-Christian. Does this matter? In opposition to marriage

5 Other examples of courtly love texts in the medieval period The Mabinogion – collection of romances, written down from oral tradition of Welsh bards in 13 th or 14 th century The Romance of the Rose, Guillame de Lorris & Jean de Meun, (epic-length) verse Marie de France’s Lais – relatively short verse romances, late 12 th century, in Old French Prologue to the Lais in song!

6 From Courtly Love to the Franklin’s Tale “Trouthe” Courtly love male-centered Marriage both male & female

7 Interpreting the tale: The FT as a courtly romance Arveragus as central: His response to Dorigen, “made in ‘friendly manner’ rather than in anger, is a display of... gentilesse” (Carruthers). Is it? Dorigen as more than cardboard cut-out: she is “made to behave like a real woman with real sorrows and anxieties” (Wurtele 368). Yet, within the confines of the courtly romance, she has no voice to refuse Aurelius – her impossible task given him does not work to discourage his advances (Crane 64-66). Aurelius & ‘subtil clerk’ – does releasing others from heavy vows guarantee their gentilesse?

8 Interpreting the narrator: the Franklin as a purveyor of courtly love “the plot contradicts the Franklin’s assertion that he can represent a courtly relation in which men and women enjoy the same ‘libertee’” (Crane 109). Compared to Wife of Bath – through wife in her tale, she fulfills courtly love expectations (female desires are central) – and the Franklin “gets it wrong” (Wurtele 370). “He makes the hero insist that the heroine fulfill a promise she does not want to keep, to submit to a man she does not want to receive” (370). The Franklin as social climber? Demande d’amour – who is the most ‘free’? Is this question of generosity the central interpretation that must be made here? What is the Franklin missing?