Marie de France, Eliduc
Feudalism
Origin
Charles Martel: Benefice +
Vassalage
“Feudal” system
depends on “Manorial” system: 90% of people work the land
Values
Fidelity between lord and
vassal
Counsel – also two-way
Keeping one’s word
Wisdom and Fortitude
Generosity: No
interest in money, property, how a living is made, or anything “manorial”
Literature of Courtly Love
Historical development
Material from old folk
tales
Marie de France: The Breton
Lai
Chrétien de Troyes: Lancelot,
Perceval, etc.
Elaborations: the
Vulgate cycle, the Morte D’Arthur
Women control
consumption of courtly literature
Themes
Values of upper-class women
Love
Courtly behavior
Interior thought
processes, esp. about feelings
Values mirroring those of
feudalism
Fidelity, counsel, wisdom, fortitude
Narrative structure
Extended verse narrative
Characteristic
trajectory: from this world toward the next
Patterns:
Short stories one after
another
Long story comprising
diverse episodes
How Eliduc exemplifies courtly literature
p. 998 Fidelity, counsel
p. 999 Glimpse of the
life of actual knights
p. 1000 Community,
counsel, wisdom, fortitude, generosity
p. 1001 Courtly
behavior and courtly counsel, interior thought processes
p. 1002 Courtly
behavior, courtly counsel, interior thought processes
p. 1003 How you should talk to one you love
p. 1004 Counsel,
fidelity
p. 1005 Keeping one’s word, wisdom
p. 1006-7 Note the
trajectory: toward the monastic conclusion
p. 1008 Generosity,
fidelity (of the weasel’s mate) understanding of feelings
p. 1009 Monasticism as
the destination of the story