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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page essay that begins by offering C.S. Lewis' definition of medieval courtly love. The writer then relates this definition to The Knight of the Lion by Chretien de Troyes and the Lais of Marie de France (both twelfth century writers). Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khdetmof.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
love" (Lewis). Variations on this definition can be seen in the Arthurian romance of Chretien de Troyes and also in the Lais of Maria de France. However, these two medieval
artists also exhibit interpretations of the courtly love tradition that are distinctly gender-based. De Troyes in his tale The Knight of the Lion deviates from the cultural paradigm somewhat
by having his hero, Ywain, actually wed his lady love. However, De Troyes complicates matters so that Ywain is given the opportunity to strive for her and to demonstrate the
courtly love characteristics that prove him to be worthy of her love. In the Knight of the Lion, De Troyes pictures a worthy knight, Ywain, seeking to avenge his
kinsman Calogrenant against a supernatural knight of considerable power (Braswell). Yvain defeats the knight but falls madly in love with the knights widow, Alundyne. Ywain wins Alundynes heart and marries
her, but is tempted by one of his comrades to embark on further adventures. Alundyne agrees but insists that he return after one year (Braswell). Yvain becomes preoccupied with adventure
and does not return within a year, at which point Alundyne forbids him from ever returning. Mad with grief, Yvain endeavors to win back his love and does so with
the help of a lion that he rescues from a serpent (Braswell). As this illustrates, the story leaves plenty of room for Ywain to prove himself as a courtly lover.
First of all, his submission to his wifes injunction to return in one year demonstrates the proper attitude of humility and courtesy. Furthermore, his grief at not being allowed to
return is given in terms that equate with Lewis stipulation of love being a "religion." The only feature not adhering to Lewis definition in this tale is adultery and the
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