French 253 - THE LADY, THE KNIGHT, THE KING

An introduction to the main cultural and literary currents that shaped Medieval France, a period whose values and concept of "literature" were dramatically different from our own. We focus on the rise of courtliness and the invention of romantic love, the legend of King Arthur and the transmission of Celtic themes, adultery and madness, magic and the chivalric quest, and the ribald humour of the fabliaux. Readings from The Romance of the Rose, Tristan and Yseut, Marie de France's Lais, Chretien de Troyes' Yvain, troubadour and trouvere lyric, and selected fabliaux. Prerequisite: FRN 230.