Troubadours and Love

Examines the work of a number of the greatest troubadours from the viewpoint of their attitudes to love.

L. T. Topsfield (Author)

9780521098977, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 January 1978

312 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.8 cm, 0.4 kg

The first known troubadour, Guilhem IX of Aquitaine, VII Count of Poitou, was a versatile man who fought against the Moors in Spain, lost an army on his way to the First Crusade, and for a time, like his great-grandson Richard Cœur de Lion, possessed more land and power in France than the king himself. His poetry reflects the hatred of convention and love of the unexpected that marks his life. In its easy swing between self-mockery and seriousness, idealised love and bawdy laughter, it introduces into troubadour poetry a sense of conflict which, after Guilhem's death in 1127, found a different and wider expression in an opposition between the metaphysical poetry of troubadours who sang with 'dark', 'rich' words and the love songs of poets who composed in a clear, 'easy' style on the single plane of their courtly experience. Dr Topsfield examines the work of a number of the greatest troubadours from the viewpoint of their attitudes to love.

List of plates
Acknowledgments
Map
Introduction
Part I. Early Troubadours: 1. Guilhem IX of Aquitaine and the quest for joy
2. Jaufre Rudel and love from afar
3. Marcabru and Fin'Amors
Part II. The Generation of 1170: 4. Bernart de Ventadorn
5. Raimbaut d'Aurenga
6. Peire d'Alvernhe
Part III. The Generation of 1200: 7. Arnaut Daniel
8. Raimon de Miraval and the Joy of the Court
Part IV. Late Troubadours: 9. Guilhem de Montanhagol, Peire Cardenal and Guiraut Riquier
Appendices: 1. Chronological table
2. A short glossary of poetic and courtly terms
List of abbreviations
Notes
Bibliography
General index
Index of verse-quotations.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]