Ravishing Maidens
Writing Rape in Medieval French Literature and Law

Kathryn Gravdal (Author)

9780812213157

Paperback / softback, published 1 May 1991

192 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.314 kg

In this study of sexual violence and rape in French medieval literature and law, Kathryn Gravdal examines an array of famous works never before analyzed in connection with sexual violence. Gravdal demonstrates the variety of techniques through which medieval discourse made rape acceptable: sometimes through humor and aestheticization, sometimes through the use of social and political themes, but especially through the romanticism of rape scenes.