Allegory and sexual ethics in the High Middle Ages / Noah D. Guynn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Guynn, Noah D.

Series:

New Middle Ages (Palgrave Macmillan (Firm))

The new Middle Ages

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Enéas (Romance).

Alanus, de Insulis, -1202. De planctu naturae.

Alanus.

Jean, de Meun, approximately 1240-approximately 1305. Roman de la Rose.

Jean.

Allegory.

Sexual ethics in literature.

Physical Description:

xii, 218 pages ; 22 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.

Summary:

Guynn offers an innovative new approach to the ethical, cultural, and ideological analysis of medieval allegory. Working between poststructuralism and historical materialism, he considers both the playfulness of allegory (its openness to multiple interpretations and perspectives) and its disciplinary force (the use of rhetoric to naturalize hegemonies and suppress difference and dissent). Ultimately, he argues that both tendencies can be linked to the consolidation of power within ruling class institutions and the persecution of demonized others, notably women and sexual minorities. The book examines a number of centrally canonical works, including the verse romance "Eneas," Alan of Lille' s "De planctu Naturae," "The Romance of the Rose," and the "Querelle de la Rose,"

Contents:

1 Rhetoric, Evil, and Privation: From Augustine to the "Persecuting Society" 17

2 Sodomy, Courtly Love, and the Birth of Romance: Le Roman d'Eneas 51

3 Allegory and Perversion in Alan of Lille's De Planctu Naturae 93

4 Authorship and Sexual/Allegorical Violence in Jean de Meun's Roman de la rose 137.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [199]-212) and index.

ISBN:

1403971471

9781403971470

OCLC:

68416989

Online:

Contributor biographical information

Publisher description