Medieval lyrics

Medieval Lyrics : Medieval Lyrics Great poetic diversity Greek lyrics sung to lyre Roman lyrics read silently Medieval lyrics performative and public Diverse vernacular traditions from various cultures Diverse poetic styles


Medieval Lyrics : Medieval Lyrics Common themes Love/Courtly Love Religion Autobiography Rise and fall of cultures Courtly love presented romantic love, social manners, and mode of existence Relation between physical and spiritual love Psychology of love


Courtly Love : Courtly Love Formal and conventional system of love represented throughout medieval tales and verse Doctrine of heterosexual love Elaborate system of manners Concerned with relations of aristocratic lovers Troubadours—credited with establishing the conventions of courtly love in Provençal (Southern France)


Courtly Love : Courtly Love Physical love shown to have erotic and spiritual qualities Spiritual love upheld as noblest earthly passion Courtly lover idealizes and idolizes beloved Subjects himself to her discretions and attitudes Often scandalous love of bachelor for married woman


Courtly Love : Courtly Love Lover suffers agonies—physical and spiritual sickness Often a capricious woman Often alternative deceptive and dangerous women Male lover remains loyal Manifests such loyalty by completing challenges, performing tasks, fighting battles, and setting out on quests


Courtly Love : Courtly Love As much about social manners and modes of behavior as it is about love Highly stylized and structured Becomes influential on develop of sonnets Popularized in England through Arthurian material translated and adapted


Poetic Terminology : Poetic Terminology Allusion—reference in literary text that lacks definitive and specific identification Assonance—form of alliteration in which similar vowel sound is repeated; usually in stressed syllables Consonance—form of alliteration in which there is a repetition of pattern of two or more consonant sounds with change in intervening vowel


Poetic Terminology : Poetic Terminology Cacophony—also known as dissonance—denotes language that is harsh, rough, and unmusical Euphony—denotes language that strikes the ear as smooth, pleasant, and musical Conceit—striking parallel between ostensibly disparate things, scenarios, or possibilities; usually with elaborate development


Poetic Terminology : Poetic Terminology Homonyms—play on words that turn on identical sound Irony—artfully-produced meaning that is different from intended or expected meaning Verbal Irony—expression in which implied meaning differs notably from that which is apparently expressed


Poetic Terminology : Poetic Terminology Sarcasm—not the same as irony; exaggerated and often ridiculing use of apparent laudation for criticism Socratic Irony—based upon Socrates’ common performance of ignorance and seeming willingness to hear others’ views; views of others inevitably are exposed as faulty


Poetic Terminology : Poetic Terminology Dramatic Irony—situational irony within narrative, audience or reader shares author’s knowledge of events or future character remains ignorant; character behaves in manner that we know is incorrect character may also anticipate outcome in way unintentionally


Poetic Terminology : Poetic Terminology Meter—recognizable rhythm of structured stresses; one way to mark verse from prose Personification—form of figurative language in which either inanimate object or abstract concept is presented as endowed with life or human qualities or emotions


Walahfrid Strabo “Elegy on Reichenau” : Walahfrid Strabo 'Elegy on Reichenau' Elegy—initially referred to elegiac meter; becomes formal lament for the death of particular person; usually provides consolation; follows conventions Latin Invokes muse Elegy on monastery on lake island on Swiss/German border Lament for pain


Walahfrid Strabo “Elegy on Reichenau” : Walahfrid Strabo 'Elegy on Reichenau' Harassed from land of fathers because of penury Seeks wisdom Leaves homeland in exile No teacher or guide Cold winter Cold bed Wisdom would warm him If only older monk were there to guide him


Walahfrid Strabo “Elegy on Reichenau” : Walahfrid Strabo 'Elegy on Reichenau' Tears for happiness of Reicheneau from long ago Prays that island will long serve as his mother Foundations of island firm, despite being immersed in water Always recalling the happiness of the isaldn Prays that island will flourish Prays that he may return Asks Christ for redemption


Notker Balbulus, “A Hymn to Holy Women” : Notker Balbulus, 'A Hymn to Holy Women' Hymn—song that expresses divine admiration or religious sentiments; intended for use in religious services Latin Cross as ladder and stake in dragon Dragon at foot of ladder Can’t climb 1st wrung without being torn Ascent of ladder stopped by devil Young radiant man at top Ladder of Christ made free for holy women


Notker Balbulus, “A Hymn to Holy Women” : Notker Balbulus, 'A Hymn to Holy Women' Women can now reach top Questions worth of Devil’s seduction of Eve Christ born of virgin Now girls defeat Devil Girls now avenge Eve Women as heroes for spurring on sons


Anonymous, “The Ruin” : Anonymous, 'The Ruin' Anglo-Saxon Marvelous wall-stone—smashed Decaying ruins Master builder dead Recalls glorious civilization Ruins fall where once was proud civilization Elegant stone halls with baths—Kingly


Anonymous, “Song of Summer” : Anonymous, 'Song of Summer' Latin Woodlands alive Catalogue of birds Birds everywhere celebrate songs of summer Bee as ideal of chastity Only matched by Virgin


Abu-L-Hasan Ibn Al-Qabturnuh, “In Battle” : Abu-L-Hasan Ibn Al-Qabturnuh, 'In Battle' Arabic Recalled beloved in battle Passion of war compared to passion of bodily love Lanes imagined as body of beloved Lover goes toward lances


Hildegard of Bingen, “A Hymn to St. Maximinus” : Hildegard of Bingen, 'A Hymn to St. Maximinus' Latin Maximinus was patron of Benedictine nuns at Trier Dove peers in window Balm rains down from Maximinus With sun, purest heart blooms Maximinus compared to architectural masterpiece


Hildegard of Bingen, “A Hymn to St. Maximinus” : Hildegard of Bingen, 'A Hymn to St. Maximinus' Magnificent architecht Calls Maximinus mountain and valley Brave and gentle Max continues to plead cause of his people


The Archpoet, “His Confession” : The Archpoet, 'His Confession' Latin Asks us to hear declaration A fool Wanders around—not tied to anything Finds depravity Follows bidding of Venus Young and unregretting


The Archpoet, “His Confession” : The Archpoet, 'His Confession' Aims to save skin since soul is dead Dies sweet death Courts young woman Wants her to join him to go to Pavia No road in Pavia leads to Chastity Gambler Will never scorn tavern Hopes to die in tavern


The Archpoet, “His Confession” : The Archpoet, 'His Confession' Battle between Apollo and Dionysus in writing poetry Can only write poetry with food and drink Better wine, better poetry Let the sinless cast 1st stone


Rabbi Ephraim Ben Jacob, “The Sacrifice of Isaac” : Rabbi Ephraim Ben Jacob, 'The Sacrifice of Isaac' Hebrew Alternative account of Abraham’s attempted sacrifice To recall fathers’ names Recalls divine request for sacrifice Ishmael’s taunting of Isaac Prepares Isaac for sacrifice Abraham binds Isaac


Rabbi Ephraim Ben Jacob, “The Sacrifice of Isaac” : Rabbi Ephraim Ben Jacob, 'The Sacrifice of Isaac' Isaac and Abraham embrace Slaughters son Resurrecting dew Abraham prepares to slaughter him again Angels ask Abraham to take pity on Isaac Taken to Eden Free of guilt


Rabbi Ephraim Ben Jacob, “The Sacrifice of Isaac” : Rabbi Ephraim Ben Jacob, 'The Sacrifice of Isaac' Lord now offers ram for sacrifice Abraham now sacrifices ram Blessing of Temple site 'Sacrifice' to now save families from disaster Asks God to remember and fulfill promises made to Abraham


Bertran de Born, “In Praise of War” : Bertran de Born, 'In Praise of War' Provençal Loves Easter—Spring Great joy also when knights go to war Great pleasure in seeing war Pleased when attack beings—led by lord Men gain worth by fighting and being fought


Bertran de Born, “In Praise of War” : Bertran de Born, 'In Praise of War' Urges men to be proud of fighting Win more worth dead than alive Savors sights of war Calls leaders to go to war


Heinrich von Morungen, “The Wound of Love” : Heinrich von Morungen, 'The Wound of Love' German Man wounded by woman—to mortal core Man’s great desire for woman Commends his lips to steal kiss Now hates her rose-red lips Still troubled by her refusal Would rather burn in hell than keep serving this woman


Arnaut Daniel, “The Art of Love” : Arnaut Daniel, 'The Art of Love' Provençal Becomes better man each day by serving noblest lady Pays for masses for her Has no defense against her love Fears he may lose her by loving her too well Doesn’t want empire of Rome Needs to be cured with kiss or he will die and go to hell Needs kiss by New Years Day Identifies himself at end


Meir Halevi Abulafia, “A Letter from the Grave” : Meir Halevi Abulafia, 'A Letter from the Grave' Hebrew Written upon death of his sister Writes to father in name of sister Doesn’t want to overwhelm her father with sorrow Tells father she is now touched by hand of God Imagines eschatological reunion with father Suggest God has made her father cry


Hadewijch of Brabant, “The Cult of Love” : Hadewijch of Brabant, 'The Cult of Love' Flemish Birds long silent Would sing again if summer came Laments love—weighs us down Relies upon mighty lovers Love can teach lovers by love


Hadewijch of Brabant, “The Cult of Love” : Hadewijch of Brabant, 'The Cult of Love' Carpe diem component—urges us to aspire to cult of love Carpe diem—'seize the day'—common literary motif in lyric poetry in which speaker urges auditor (often a virgin) to make the most of present pleasures Speaker rides on when help/companion comes Dashed down--pain


Alexander the Wild, “Strawberry Picking” : Alexander the Wild, 'Strawberry Picking' German Long ago, when we were children Once found violets where cattle now leap for flies Used to compare pretty girls Time goes by Used to search for strawberries Forester told them to go home


Alexander the Wild, “Strawberry Picking” : Alexander the Wild, 'Strawberry Picking' Forester told them to go home Shepherd told them forest was full of snakes Must get out of forest or will lose joy Allusion to 5 foolish virgins—loitered in meadowlands


Anonymous, “Aubade” : Anonymous, 'Aubade' French Aubade—early morning song that usually relates urgent request to a beloved to awaken Orchard scene Lady holds lover Watcher announces dawn Daybreak comes too soon Defies jealous husband To create new love sports


Christine de Pizan, “Alone in Martyrdom” : Christine de Pizan, 'Alone in Martyrdom' French Left alone in martyrdom in desert of this world by lover--dead Martyr of what? Leaves beloved in grief Lived secure with lover since childhood Left in great distress To bewail lover’s death forever


Anonymous, “Lament of the Virgin” : Anonymous, 'Lament of the Virgin' Of all women ever . . . Addresses to all women Dear son dead Picks out thorns from dead son Holds dead son Identifies wounds Hands suffered for their sons Great holes in son’s feet


Anonymous, “Lament of the Virgin” : Anonymous, 'Lament of the Virgin' Virgin now tells women to think of her son when they worry about their children Her son sends young their sons fortune and health Tells women not to weep for their children Weep for 'it' Virgin’s son would again bleed for your love Virgin’s son will bring you to bliss


Other Poetic Genres : Other Poetic Genres Ballad—narrative song with history of oral transmission Broadside ballad—medieval ballad that was printed on single side of a broadside; usually dealt with current events or person Dirge—verse-based expression of sorrow memorializing person’s death; shorter than formal elegy; usually to be sung


Other Poetic Genres : Other Poetic Genres Doggerel—denotes rough and inconsistent verse; usually marks inept poet but can be intentional for satiric or comic purposes Epithalamion—poem that memorializes and celebrates a marriage Jeremiad--text that recounts and explains sorrows and troubles of an era as just penalty for social and moral evils; maintains hope for happier and more just future


Other Poetic Genres : Other Poetic Genres Light Verse—great diversity of poetic texts that depend upon ordinary speaking voices and simple informal manner to treat subjects lightly; defined by tone of the verse Limerick—5 line light verse poem that rhymes aabba; can be satiric, bawdy, or ceremonial and decorous Ode—extended lyric with serious subject and formal structured style


Other Poetic Genres : Other Poetic Genres Pastoral Elegy—conventional elegy that employs pastoral machinery (e.g. shepherds, rural fields) to emphasize nature’s complicity in sorrow and role in providing consolation