COURTLY LOVE Medieval Literary Device Courtly Love Defined

COURTLY LOVE Medieval Literary Device

Courtly Love Defined Courtly love is an idealized expression of love in which a noble man pursues a romantic relationship with a noble woman he loves without hope of consummating the relationship.

Courtly Love in Context � � � Noble and royal families arrange the marriages of their children – often for political or material gain. Love is not a factor in these marriages. Humans have natural inclinations and are attracted to and fall in love with people who are not necessarily politically or materially advantageous. Society makes rules, such as the sanctity of marriage, in order to preserve politically or materially advantageous marriages.

Courtly Love in Context � � Still, relationships outside of marriage (especially if the marriage is arranged or loveless) do really happen and are usually passionate. Because such relationships are passionate, they are usually interesting and are thus tempting fodder for authors. But for such stories to be acceptable, and thus read, they need to be morally suitable. Therefore the stories of such love are idealized into a formal trope.

Traits of Courtly Love � � Both of the lovers are of noble or royal rank One or both of the lovers are unable to participate in a romantic relationship with the other lover – usually because he or she is married.

Traits of Courtly Love � � � The lady in the relationship would often give a token to her courtly lover. This token of affection is often a handkerchief. The courtly lover would wear the handkerchief on his armor.

Traits of Courtly Love � � The male courtly lover would often undertake a challenge to show his affection for the lady he loves. This challenge was arduous and was meant to show the purity of his love or to purify him of any sin associated with his love.

Traits of Courtly Love � � � Most courtly love is never consummated. The most physical manifestation of courtly love is the kiss. Such kisses were often chased, but were meant to express the purity and passion of the courtly lovers.