In this verse translation of Cliges, written by Chretien de Troyes circa 1176, Ruth Harwood Cline not only preserves the artistry of the original work but also captures the wit, irony, and striking emotional power of Chretien's stylistic genius and highly structured form.

The romance begins with the marriage of Cliges's parents and continues with the clandestine, mutual love of their son and his uncle's bride, Fenice. Cliges and Fenice are finally united after executing a false-death plot aided by black magic.

With a thoroughness and clarity that will appeal to students and scholars of medieval literature, Cline's accessible translation effectively conveys the sparkle, pace, and intricate wordplay of Chretien's love monologues, classic themes, and complex poetic devices. In addition, her introduction sheds new light on the transmission of British history and legend to the French court of Champagne. With themes that echo from the Tristan legend to Romeo and Juliet, Cliges is an exciting romance about young lovers who escape from an arranged match and find true love in marriage.

About the Author

CHRETIEN DE TROYES (1135?-1191?) was a French poet and trouvere. He is widely regarded as the creator of the literary genre known as the Arthurian romance, and the originator of the heroic medieval character Lancelot.

Reviews

Rhyming vocabulary that sustains the narrative flow and ambience of the Arthurian universe . . . An extraordinary work that represents laudable achievement.

Her work constitutes the finest poetic translations now available of Chretien's romances.

Book Information
ISBN 9780820321424
Author Chretien de Troyes
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint University of Georgia Press
Publisher University of Georgia Press
Weight(grams) 399g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm