Classic: Le Roman de la Rose (amour courtois)

• Author: G. de Lorris (1200-1240) et J. de Meun (1240-1305)
• Title: Le Roman de la Rose
• Published: 13th C
• Edition: Folio classique, ISBN 9782070375189
• Language: French
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• Trivia: The first section of the poem was written by G. de Lorris
• 40 years later the work was completed by Jean de Meun.
• Trivia: This long poem was translated into Middle English verse by Chaucer
• The whole poem was translated into Modern English verse by F.S. Elilis
• Trivia: I’m reading the translation into Modern French by André Mary

Chapter 1

The Garden of Pleasure

1. Wonderful descriptions of a paradise like garden
2. with paintings decorating the wall of
3. the énciente (enclosure) of virtues and vices.
4. We meet some ladies and gentlemen frolicking
5. and dancing (caroler).
6. De Lorris describes there physical attributes
7. lavish clothes (samit – heavy silk fabric)
8. un riche samit décoré

Chapter 2:

The Spring of Narcissus:

1. Descriptions are becoming increasingly more difficult.
2. Do you know how many flowers, trees, herbs, grasses, insects….
3. …are blooming and buzzing around in this orchard?
4. Not to mention Narcissus falling for the ‘reflection trap’ in the pond
5. Our narrator/poet seems to be hypnotized by the rose buds!
6. Amour shoots five arrows flying into the heart of our narrator/poet.
7. Ouch!

Chapter 3:

Hope and Despair

1. This was  the best chapter…..so far!
2. Le Dieu d’Amour explains to our poet the
3.  his 13 commandments for courtly love.
4. These rules were written in 13th C
5. …but they seem timeless!

Conclusion:

1. I will let you discover the rest of the book
2. …does our poet/narrator
3. …finally kiss his rose bud love?
4. This is one of the oldest books
5. …I’ve read this year (exclu myths).
6. And I discovered….
7. People have always been people.
8. Cultures change, but humans don’t.
9. Remember….. l’amour
10. “The struggle is excessive and the joy is short-lived.” (pg 66)
11. (La peine est excessive et la joie de courte durée.)

Last thoughts:

1. Reading this book after struggling with the
2. fire and brimstone religious text of Blaise Pascal felt like
3. a relaxing, refreshing summer shower
4. …after 4 week heat wave!
5. Believe me I know how that feels!