Courtly Love In Seventeenth Century Literature
Love becomes a major theme in the twelfth century mainly due to the writings of the Cistercian Order. Things like chivalry and courtly love become the norm of this time period. This norm would affect the medieval mindset of people’s identity and sense of selfhood. The idea of love and its connection to chivalry became romanticized by many stories written by Chretien de Troyes, like “Lancelot” and “The Knight with the Lion”. In medieval Europe, the idea of love became an important theme through chivalry. Chivalry became the code to live by for the 12th century knight. The elements of this code were simple. Defend Christian faith against any non-believers, defend the poor against the oppressors, and most always honor women and aid them to
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The idea of this knight in shining armor that comes to help a noble woman in need just to fall in love become a centerpiece of works such as “Lancelot”. The story of Lancelot shows that the idea of love is an undying devotion to one’s love. Early in the story Lancelot is forced with a choice after his horse becomes too tired to continue. Either he can ride in a cart the rest of the way to his love Guinevere but face the humiliation of being the knight in the cart, which is not honorable or let his pride stand in the way of his love. He decided to ride in the cart because his love is greater than his pride. This gives the idea that love at this time should come before all other worldly ideas like pride. Part of love is also being the chivalric action of defending one’s maidens honor and putting it before one’s own honor. Like Lancelot another of Troyes stories “The Knight and the Lion” Yvain a knight that has lost the love of his maiden due to breaking a promise to her. However, he is then called upon to defend Lunete’s honor when accused of treason. Lunete being a reason for his marriage to his maiden Laudine in the first place he responses by defending here honor and defeating three opponents. This chivalrous act along with returning to Laudine rekindles their
The idea of this knight in shining armor that comes to help a noble woman in need just to fall in love become a centerpiece of works such as “Lancelot”. The story of Lancelot shows that the idea of love is an undying devotion to one’s love. Early in the story Lancelot is forced with a choice after his horse becomes too tired to continue. Either he can ride in a cart the rest of the way to his love Guinevere but face the humiliation of being the knight in the cart, which is not honorable or let his pride stand in the way of his love. He decided to ride in the cart because his love is greater than his pride. This gives the idea that love at this time should come before all other worldly ideas like pride. Part of love is also being the chivalric action of defending one’s maidens honor and putting it before one’s own honor. Like Lancelot another of Troyes stories “The Knight and the Lion” Yvain a knight that has lost the love of his maiden due to breaking a promise to her. However, he is then called upon to defend Lunete’s honor when accused of treason. Lunete being a reason for his marriage to his maiden Laudine in the first place he responses by defending here honor and defeating three opponents. This chivalrous act along with returning to Laudine rekindles their