Courtly love

Definition

Courtly love is a medieval European literary conception of love that emphasizes chivalry, admiration, and the idealization of the beloved, often expressed in a socially acceptable manner. This theme became central in literature and influenced many narratives, especially within the context of romantic relationships and the dynamics of knighthood.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Courtly love emerged in the 12th century during the rise of the chivalric code, influencing poetry and prose throughout the Middle Ages.
2. This concept often portrayed love as a noble pursuit that was both idealistic and unattainable, leading to themes of longing and sacrifice.
3. Courtly love frequently involved a knight's devotion to a lady who was usually married or otherwise unattainable, emphasizing loyalty and secrecy.
4. The tradition of courtly love heavily influenced works like those of Chaucer, who integrated these themes into his characters' interactions and narratives.
5. Courtly love served as a critique of societal norms regarding marriage and relationships, highlighting the tension between social duty and personal desire.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of courtly love shape the character development in medieval literature?
  • Courtly love significantly influenced character development by creating complex figures who often grappled with their ideals versus reality. Knights were depicted as noble warriors bound by a code of honor, yet torn by their emotions for unattainable women. This internal conflict led to rich storytelling where characters navigated between societal expectations and personal desires, revealing deeper layers to their identities.
• Discuss the role of courtly love in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and how it reflects the societal views of his time.
  • In The Canterbury Tales, courtly love is portrayed through various stories and characters that exemplify both its ideals and its pitfalls. For example, in 'The Knight's Tale,' we see knights fighting for the affection of a woman, showcasing loyalty yet also highlighting competition. Chaucer uses these relationships to critique social norms around marriage, illustrating how courtly love serves as both an aspiration and a source of conflict within society.
• Analyze how courtly love is represented in Arthurian legend and its impact on later literary traditions.
  • Courtly love is central to many Arthurian legends, particularly in stories involving characters like Lancelot and Guinevere. This representation establishes a template for idealized romantic relationships marked by conflict between duty and desire. The themes established in these tales influenced later literary traditions by embedding notions of unattainable love and moral complexity into narratives across Europe, which can be seen echoed in Renaissance literature and beyond.

Related terms

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

Allegory:

A narrative technique in which characters or events symbolize larger concepts or moral lessons, often used in medieval literature to convey deeper meanings about love and virtue.

Romance: A genre of medieval literature characterized by tales of chivalry, adventure, and courtly love, typically involving noble characters and their quests for honor or affection.