The Medieval Christian Philosophy, Doctrine of Love and Literature: The Romance of the Rose

Abstract

The concept of love, examined in various works from the classical ages onwards, gained an ethical meaning in the Middle Ages. Accordingly, love is not a sexual urge, but a virtue acquired by coping with some difficulties. The concept best reflecting the issue of love is “courtly love”. The term suggests the lovers to show earnestness and courtesy while it also offers them to avoid avarice and pride. It emphasises as well that lovers should suffer insomnia for their beloved person or object. Thus, one of the best examples for the medieval view of love is The Romance of the Rose by Jean de Meun and Guillaume de Lorris. Andreas Capellanus’ doctrines in The Art of Court Love shape the work’s content, while Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy influences its form. So, this study will examine the courtly love in the joint poem in relation to the effects of continental literature.

Keywords

• Jean de Meun
• Guillaume de Lorris
• Gülün Romansı
• Saraylı Aşk
• Sokrat Tipi Diyalog
• Alegori
• Kişileştirme
• Ortaçağ