12th century literature: Difference between revisions
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==Oral poems== |
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Such oral poetry forms designed to be recited by [[troubadors]] existed all over europe, In the 12th Century, a large number of these poems began to be written down. It is not entirely known if this was intended to aid in their transmission to greater numbers of [[troubadours]] or to also be read aloud by non-musicians to their friends. |
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The [[Chanson de Geste]] was a french language form of recited poem. The addition of cryptic one one word instructions on many manuscripts which are beleived to relate to the performance method (arguments are over if they are markers of stress in the vocal performance or musical accompaniment) makes it more likely such manuscripts were intended for professional musicians. |
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On the other hand, in the early 13th Century, collections of oral tales such as [[la Roman de Renart]](a witty satirical set of tales about a fox, that parody courtly life), are available as popular manuscripts, spread far and wide, and additional tales added. The sheer number of manuscripts argue for these stories being read directly by the non-performer. |
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The many varied versions of [[Tristan and Isolde]], which are self contradictory, begin to be written down in the [[12th Century]]. |
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==Romance== |
==Romance== |
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An increasing number of books appear to have been created specifically as a [[book]] intended to entertain the literate populace (Raffel 198?). Examples of this include the Romances of [[Chretien de Troyes]] and [[Marie de France]], some of which even preface themselves with an introduction to the reader. The romance genre was revolutionary - instead of the dry battle stories of the [[Chanson de Geste]] it told of the loves and lives of only slightly larger than life men and women. Tales of illicit love, unrequited or hidden love and lust, this genre formed the early ideas of courtly love. Given the increasing literacy of the noble populace, or more particularly of noblewomen (for many knights were too busy training as boys to aquire more than basic literacy), these themes pandered to their audience with escapist romance with considerable sucess. |
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There was also an oral tradition of story telling in other generes (for example the many varied versions of [[Tristan and Isolde]]), but in the [[12th Century]] an increasing number of books |
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appear to have been created specifically as a [[book]] intended to entertain the literate populace (Raffel 198?). Examples of this include the works of [[Chretien de Troyes]] and [[Marie de France]], some of which even preface themselves with an introduction to the reader. |
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By the late [[12th Century]] these themes of courtly love had begun to influence other genres of writing - [[Chanson de Geste]] began to speak of the man behind the heroic deads and incorporate more momentus deeds at court than on the warfield. |
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==Bestiaries== |
==Bestiaries== |
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''(insert ref to ladies reading bestiaries)'' |
''(insert ref to ladies reading bestiaries)'' |
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==Other== |
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There are a variety of other works that seem to have pandered to the popular taste. [[Marie de France]]'s Fables moralise directly for a wide audience of minor nobility, and were immensely popular in their day. |
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Marie also translated latin texts into the anglo-norman dialect, to make them available to a wider audience, than the scholars (mostly in hte priesthood) who could read latin much more fluently than the common noble. [[St Patrick's purgatory]] (a description of a vision of purgatory) is such a work, clearly written for a lay audience, and showing the facination of lay audiences for information on spiritual matters. |
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[[Category:12th century|Literature]] |
[[Category:12th century|Literature]] |
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Revision as of 19:16, 18 April 2005
Oral poems
Such oral poetry forms designed to be recited by troubadors existed all over europe, In the 12th Century, a large number of these poems began to be written down. It is not entirely known if this was intended to aid in their transmission to greater numbers of troubadours or to also be read aloud by non-musicians to their friends.
The Chanson de Geste was a french language form of recited poem. The addition of cryptic one one word instructions on many manuscripts which are beleived to relate to the performance method (arguments are over if they are markers of stress in the vocal performance or musical accompaniment) makes it more likely such manuscripts were intended for professional musicians.
On the other hand, in the early 13th Century, collections of oral tales such as la Roman de Renart(a witty satirical set of tales about a fox, that parody courtly life), are available as popular manuscripts, spread far and wide, and additional tales added. The sheer number of manuscripts argue for these stories being read directly by the non-performer.
The many varied versions of Tristan and Isolde, which are self contradictory, begin to be written down in the 12th Century.
Romance
An increasing number of books appear to have been created specifically as a book intended to entertain the literate populace (Raffel 198?). Examples of this include the Romances of Chretien de Troyes and Marie de France, some of which even preface themselves with an introduction to the reader. The romance genre was revolutionary - instead of the dry battle stories of the Chanson de Geste it told of the loves and lives of only slightly larger than life men and women. Tales of illicit love, unrequited or hidden love and lust, this genre formed the early ideas of courtly love. Given the increasing literacy of the noble populace, or more particularly of noblewomen (for many knights were too busy training as boys to aquire more than basic literacy), these themes pandered to their audience with escapist romance with considerable sucess.
By the late 12th Century these themes of courtly love had begun to influence other genres of writing - Chanson de Geste began to speak of the man behind the heroic deads and incorporate more momentus deeds at court than on the warfield.
Bestiaries
The lavishly illustrated versions of some bestiaries produced show us that this was intended as a medium of entertainment for the rich literate nobility. Despite the moral lessons of the text, many noble ladies would enjoy reading about beasts of stange far away lands, real but so strange as to seem imposible and imaginary. (insert ref to ladies reading bestiaries)
Other
There are a variety of other works that seem to have pandered to the popular taste. Marie de France's Fables moralise directly for a wide audience of minor nobility, and were immensely popular in their day.
Marie also translated latin texts into the anglo-norman dialect, to make them available to a wider audience, than the scholars (mostly in hte priesthood) who could read latin much more fluently than the common noble. St Patrick's purgatory (a description of a vision of purgatory) is such a work, clearly written for a lay audience, and showing the facination of lay audiences for information on spiritual matters.
