Guilhem de Saint Gregori, "Ben grans avolesa intra" (BdT 233.2); Bartolomeo Zorzi, "En tal dezir mos cors intra" (BdT 74.4)

Abstract

This paper provides a commentary and translation of two contrafacta of Arnaut Daniel’s sestina: Guilhem de Saint Gregori’s "Ben gran avolesa intra" and Bartolomeo Zorzi’s "En tal dezir mos cors intra". For the first song, I will highlight the new contexts and meanings given to Arnaut’s images (which are taken from his sestina and other poems) within Guilhem’s invective against Aimers II of Poitiers, in order to evaluate its literary qualities and innovations. Through lexical analysis, this paper will reveal the strong connection between Zorzi’s and Guilhem’s songs. In particular, the paper analyses specifically their common theme of Hell, suggesting Bartolomeo’s text is most likely an answer to Arnaut’s sestina, which clearly expresses a desire of sensual pleasure. The study pays particular attention to the relation between sexual love and the matter of eternal damnation: Zorzi attacks Arnaut’s ferm voler, advancing his argument by evoking Chrétien de Troyes’ "Perceval" (references to which are spread throughout the text, and not only in l. 18) and through his constant stress on the duties towards one’s family.

Keywords

• Troubadours
• Old Occitan
• Interpretation