A resolution to the vexed problem whether a troubadour's love is erotic or spiritual is offered by Paolo Cherchi through a new reading of Andreas Capellanus' De Amore (written around 1186-1196). He suggests that Andreas, using a rhetorical strategy that creates ambiguity, condemns courtly love because its claim that passion generates virtue is untenable and deceitful. Although Andreas grasped the core of the courtly love 'system,' namely, the relation between passion and ethics, he failed to consider the notion of mezura, that courtly virtue through which troubadours transformed nature into culture, and erotic passion into social discourse. Cherchi offers an innovative interpretation and a close reading of selected poems. He traces the history of Proven al lyric poetry, highlighting some of the significant personalities and movements.

Book Information
ISBN 9780802005779
Author Paolo Cherchi
Format Hardback
Page Count 194
Imprint University of Toronto Press
Publisher University of Toronto Press
Weight(grams) 460g