Courtly love

Definition

Courtly love is a medieval European literary concept that idealizes chivalric romance, typically involving a knight's devotion to a noblewoman. It emphasizes emotional connections, often fraught with obstacles and unrequited feelings, celebrating themes of admiration, longing, and the pursuit of love in a socially constructed framework.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Courtly love originated in the 12th century with the troubadours in southern France, where it became a prominent theme in poetry and literature.
2. The concept often involves a noble knight who serves his lady through acts of valor and dedication, even when their love is unattainable.
3. Courtly love is characterized by its secretive nature; lovers often engage in discreet relationships due to societal constraints and marital obligations.
4. This theme greatly influenced Restoration comedy by adding layers of romantic intrigue and complicated relationships among characters.
5. Key playwrights of the Restoration era, like William Wycherley and George Etherege, incorporated elements of courtly love into their works, reflecting the tensions between desire and social propriety.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of courtly love manifest in the relationships portrayed in Restoration comedy?
  • In Restoration comedy, courtly love often appears as a key element driving romantic plots. Characters typically engage in witty banter while navigating the complexities of desire, jealousy, and social norms. The idealized devotion seen in courtly love mirrors the comedic yet often absurd situations characters find themselves in, highlighting the tension between romantic aspirations and societal expectations.
• Compare the ideals of courtly love with the portrayals of romantic relationships in specific plays from the Restoration period.
  • The ideals of courtly love focus on admiration and unrequited feelings, often involving noble characters engaged in secret affairs. In contrast, Restoration comedies present a more pragmatic view of romance, with characters frequently manipulating love for personal gain or amusement. For instance, plays like 'The Country Wife' by William Wycherley juxtapose romantic ideals with sexual politics, revealing how courtly love can lead to humorous misunderstandings while critiquing societal norms.
• Evaluate the influence of courtly love on character development and themes in Restoration comedies.
  • Courtly love significantly shapes character motivations and themes within Restoration comedies. Characters are often developed through their romantic pursuits, reflecting both the aspirations and limitations imposed by social conventions. This dynamic leads to conflicts that drive the narrative forward and create comedic situations. The exploration of unfulfilled desires and emotional turmoil stemming from courtly love encourages audiences to reflect on broader societal norms surrounding relationships during that era.

Related terms

Chivalry: A code of conduct associated with the medieval institution of knighthood, emphasizing virtues such as bravery, honor, and respect for women.

Romanticism:

An artistic and literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century, characterized by an emphasis on emotion, individualism, and nature, often reflecting ideals similar to those found in courtly love.

Allegory:

A narrative technique in which characters and events symbolize broader themes and ideas, commonly used in literature to convey moral or philosophical messages.