Research Guides: ITAL 41303: Power of Women in Medieval to Early Modern Europe: Articles

Courtly Love

Page from The Baby's Opera by Walter Crane, 1878 edition by McLoughlin Bros. in New York

Courtly Love

Courtly love refers to the medieval tradition of love between a knight and a married noblewoman, first developed by the troubadours (poet composers and singers) of southern France and widely used in European literature of the time. The knight's love for his lady was considered a deep passion, and the relationship was generally not consummated. Courtly love, which also embodies the concept of chivalry in the sense of honorable and courteous conduct expected of a knight was perhaps at its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The Concept of Courtly Love as an Impediment to the Understanding of Medieval Texts
In his 1968 essay, "The Concept of Courtly Love as an Impediment to the Understanding of Medieval Texts," D.W. Robertson Jr. critically examines the modern scholarly construct of "courtly love." He argues that this concept misrepresents both medieval literature and the society from which it emerged. According to Robertson, "courtly love" is a contemporary invention that fails to reflect the practical and moral realities of the Middle Ages. He posits that the application of this anachronistic framework to medieval texts results in significant misinterpretations, as it imposes modern notions of romantic love upon a historical context where such ideas were largely alien. Robertson advocates for a rigorous analysis of medieval literature within its genuine religious and cultural milieu, rather than through the distorted lens of contemporary romantic constructs.
COURTLY LOVE AS RELIGIOUS DISSENT
In "Courtly Love as Religious Dissent," James W. Earl asserts that the medieval tradition of courtly love served as a means of challenging established religious norms. By endorsing secular and often adulterous romantic ideals, courtly love stood in direct opposition to the predominant Christian values of the time. It elevated romantic love to a nearly sacred status, countering the Church's teachings on chastity and spiritual devotion. Earl examines various literary works and historical contexts to illustrate how this tradition created an alternative moral framework, allowing individuals to express personal desires in defiance of ecclesiastical authority. Ultimately, courtly love emerged as a subtle yet significant form of resistance to religious orthodoxy.
COURTLY LOVE AND COURTLINESS*
In this article the author examines the origins and nature of courtly love in medieval literature. He argues that courtly love is not merely romantic or erotic but is deeply connected to the ideals of courtliness—a code of refined behavior and moral discipline. Denomy contends that courtly love functioned as a civilizing force, promoting personal virtue and social harmony within the aristocratic class. By analyzing literary texts and historical contexts, he demonstrates how courtly love was a structured, ethical system that shaped medieval concepts of love, honor, and social conduct.

Violence and Women in the Medieval and Renaissance Periods

Violence and Women

During the Medieval and Renaissance time periods, the social status and expectations of women put them in a position of vulnerability. They were often held under the culturally understood authority of the men in their lives; fathers, brothers, husbands, etc, and were on many occasions subjected to violence at the hands of those who wanted to maintain control over them. On the other hand, many women found ways to break free from the culturally imposed limitations to express themselves, create critical commentary, and make a better way of living. Sometimes these women became violent or depicted women as violent themselves using their own strength physically or in writing to express their own thoughts and feelings amidst their limiting societies.

ON THE ART AND LIFE OF COLLECTIVE SEXUAL VIOLENCE N RENAISSANCE ITALY
The article "On the Art and Life of Collective Sexual Violence in Renaissance Italy" by Yael Even explores how collective sexual violence was depicted in Renaissance Italian art and culture. It examines how these representations reflected societal attitudes toward gender, power, and violence. By analyzing visual and literary sources, Even highlights the ways in which such violence was normalized or challenged in the period’s cultural narratives.
Historical Perspectives on Violence Against Women
The article "Historical Perspectives on Violence Against Women" by Vivian C. Fox, published in the Journal of International Women’s Studies, examines how Western ideologies—specifically Judeo-Christian beliefs, Greek philosophy, and Common Law—have historically justified and perpetuated patriarchal systems. Fox explores how these frameworks normalized acts like marital chastisement and rape, embedding them into cultural norms. While Enlightenment liberalism challenged overt patriarchy, it failed to dismantle its deep-rooted cultural legacy, allowing gender-based violence to persist.
Domestic violence in late-medieval Bologna
The article examines the prevalence and societal response to domestic violence in Bologna during the late Middle Ages. By looking through court records and legal documents, the study shows how domestic abuse was addressed within the legal system. Highlighting also the complex gender roles, societal norms, and the legality that handled the domestic violence cases. This article provides insight into the historical context of domestic abuse and the cultural and legal frameworks that shaped the experiences of victims and perpetrators in medieval Bologna.
Chretiende Troyes,Gratian,and the MedievalRomanceofSexualViolenc
Kathryn Gravdal's article, “Chrétien de Troyes, Gratian, and the Medieval Romance of Sexual Violence,” published in Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society (Vol. 17, No. 3, 1992), examines the intersection of medieval literature, legal doctrine, and representations of sexual violence. Gravdal analyzes how Chrétien de Troyes's romances and Gratian's legal texts reflect and reinforce societal norms regarding gender and power. She argues that these works contribute to a cultural narrative that normalizes sexual violence, highlighting the complicity of literature and law in perpetuating patriarchal structures. The article offers a critical feminist perspective on medieval narratives and their enduring impact.