...Troubadours of the middle ages Different eras provided different kinds of lifestyles, and can be seen through the music that people listened to, or the architecture that was prevalent in those times. The middle ages lasted from about 476 to 1420 AD, and ended at the fall of the Roman Empire. In the middle ages, music was played through either the church, or the within the secular places such as the streets or the divine office. Also, at those times, only monophony was used because music was mainly made for chant. Also so people can participate by singing along as well as provide a better voice to the audience because of the bad acoustics of chapels. Furthermore, the Middle Ages was a time when a lot of growth happened, such as the rise of troubadours. Troubadours became known within the secular portion of the empires in the middle ages, and became popular within monarchs and noblemen very quickly. The troubadours were well known for their expressions for chivalry and courtly love. Troubadours become popular in the 12th and 13th centuries of the middle ages. They were very popular in the middle ages because the rise of troubadours was a significant movement in the arts. The influence of the troubadours became so large in the Middle Ages that it spread through different countries of Western Europe, such as Spain and Italy. Troubadours became so popular in the middle ages because they played music and poetry together. This was something unheard of before the starting of the...
Words: 435 - Pages: 2
...The Troubadour and Trobairitz The Troubadour or Trobairitz Troubadours were poet-composer of southern France in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In an area known as Occitania (in the south of present-day France) there arose a class of composers known as troubadours. Stereotypically depicted as lute-bearing wanders, the troubadours were actually court-based poets, often of aristocratic standing. While many others traveled and preformed the troubadour’s creations, the troubadours perfected the art of composition, delivering their poetic verse through musical recitation. The romantic-poetic love song was born, and the concept quickly spread to other European areas. The troubadour’s audience included the lord and his peers, the wife and her attendants, and others who resided within the court. Especially known for the praise songs that he wrote to address the noble wife of his employer, the troubadour expressed devotion and obedience in exchange for being made “a better man.” Although it may have led to romance in some cases, it was largely a symbolic gesture, an expression of love and admiration typical of the feudal obligatory system. The notion continued in the practice of chivalry, where the woman was upheld as the pure, weak, virtuous sex. Thus, courtly love was the subject of most troubadour songs, an expression of unattainable “worship of afar” that was to be met with rejection by the lady. The knight would in turn reply that he was “dying” from lack of returned...
Words: 519 - Pages: 3
...Candice Prestel Historical Foundations DB 2 Dr. Kimberly Roff September 1, 2012 A class of medieval lyric poets, called troubadours, flourished principally in southern France, eastern Spain and northern Italy from the 11th to 13th centuries (Dictionary.com, 2012). They wrote songs and poems of a complex metrical form in langue d’oc, mainly about courtly love. In courtly love the lover sees his ability to resist these temptations and rise above his own base humanity as evidence of his spiritual purity (Syre, 2013). According to Syre (2013), “The smitten knight or nobleman must be willing to perform any deed to win his lady’s favor, the lady often being his lord’s wife”. The trobairitz is the female version of the troubadour but their poems were mainly focused on romantic love (Dictionary.com, 2012). The trobairitz used poetry to share stories of romantic longing and unattainable love, focusing on the feelings associated with romantic love such as longing, suffering, and a desire to do whatever possible to have the feeling of love reciprocated (Career Education Corporation, 2010). The troubadours are said to have “invented” romantic love as we know it today by the conventions and vocabulary that we use to describe it (Syre, 2013). According to Syre (2013), “to love is to suffer, to wander aimlessly, unable to concentrate on anything but the mental image of the beloved, to give up life for a dream”. While reducing women to barely more than objects of male desire...
Words: 702 - Pages: 3
...surprise. Woman always find something to complain about when they don’t get what they want. There is difficulty in labeling the trobairitz as either amateurs or professionals. The distinction between these two roles was complicated in the medieval era, since professionals were generally lower class, and amateurs had as much time as professionals to devote to their craft. The poem written by the Contessa de Dia is a canso. When discussing troubadour and trobairitz poetry, it is important to realize that they were a piece of entertainment .These poems were largely of political or moral nature. The troubadour would sing or recite poetry while playing harp during the Medieval Period the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. These poems were about more than sex they were about intimacy. The poets would sing of longing, chivalry, a gentleness that we express even now when we speak of the art of love. I really like the poetry even the poems that sing of infidelity or wanting what is forbidden. With each poem or story you can envision what is felt. Troubadours and...
Words: 385 - Pages: 2
...New Art Forms of the High Middle Ages Throughout history Europe has experienced countless changes in culture and other aspects. The Middle Ages, or Medieval Period, lasted from around 800 into the 1400’s (349). This period can be subdivided into three categories: early, high, and late. The Middle Ages brought about changes in religion, law, and daily life. Changes also occurred in the arts with the introduction of Gothic architecture and troubadour poetry. Although the Middle Ages began as a time of violence, the emergence of Gothic architecture and troubadour poetry are examples of devotion and expression. During the tenth and eleventh centuries cathedrals were constructed (367). The style of the cathedrals resembled Roman architecture, which was the preceding time period. (367). Features of Roman architecture included “massive walls, rounded stones arches, and small windows” (367). By the twelfth century, this new style gained the name “Gothic.” The Gothic style introduced new engineering improvements and emphasized more emotional expression. The structures of Gothic architecture consisted of pointed arches, high ceilings, and flying buttresses (367). A flying buttress carried the weight of the roof. “Midieval Archtechture” states: “The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner than previous styles of architecture because the weight of the roof was supported by the arches rather than by the walls. The pointed Gothic arch provided greater flexibility could also span...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
...Unit 2 Individual Project HUMA215-Topics of Cultural Studies Abstract This is a paper about how more common vernacular languages influenced positive changes to the new world of art, agriculture and lifestyles. The Black Death almost collapsed Europe with so many citizens dying, but the Renaissance brought growth and rich culture to Europe. VERNACULAR LANGUAGES “Latin was the main vernacular language for the educated upper class and clergy.” (MUSE). All court documents and medical books were all written in Latin. This language separated the upper class from the rest of the lower class, less educated citizens; which also limited the less educated from moving up in class for a better life a new more common-man vernacular languages were created. Charlemagne aka Charles the Great (742-814) was the first "Emperor" in Western Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire. Alcuin of York (730 – 804) was a scholar, teacher and poet who created a successful curriculum of reading and writing for children. This combination of King and scholar changed the future of student’s curriculum. After being introduced to Alcuin of York, Charlemagne invited him to come and teach at Charlemagne Palace School. He taught all the royal children and young clerics that were attached to the palace chapel. “Alcuin became a leading scholar and teacher at the Carolingian court and joined the royal court in 781, and became one of Charlemagne's chief advisers on religious and educational matter;...
Words: 864 - Pages: 4
...the story was set by Geoffery of Monmouth. He intended it to be historical but it set the path for many fictional twists to the story, In 1485 William Caxton published 'Le Morte Darthur', it included the full story of King Arthur, the story we know today. Literature was usually hand written in manuscripts during the Medieval period but they were also expresses orally or in song. Troubadours were singer that sang true stories of love, war, real people, and heroes. They wore bright colors and traveled from village to village. They carried the news of the day with them as they traveled. Troubadours were great entertainment and were always welcomed by kings and lord into their kingdoms. They performed for nobles at feasts and for the public at tournament and festivals. Usually troubadours traveled with other men that would dance and perform tricks to help them entertain. They are known as jugglers. Because the stories they sand were not very religion based, they were not written down and many of the tales have been lost forever. However few have remained. Beowulf is one of the stories sang by the troubadours. It concerned a great warrior and his strength. Beowulf fought the most terrifying monsters of his time and defeated them all. The Song of Roland is the other remaining story. The story is sang that Roland was a Paladin who went to fight the Muslims. In the battle, Roland and a few others had been surrounded by a group of Muslims. Roland had a magical horn that could call his fellow...
Words: 1718 - Pages: 7
...Love in Music of Then and Now During the 11th and 13th centuries during a period known as the Middle Ages a new breed of poets emerged in the south of France. Known as the Troubadours, these poets roamed the land turning their poetry into art by adding an accompaniment of musical instruments. These lyricists wrote their music in the vernacular of Southern France, French, but also included hints of Spanish and Italian from the nearby countries. These storytellers captivated the audiences with their many poems of love and romance. Even though the Middle Ages may have ended eight centuries ago, the content and romance found within the songs still flourishes today in modern songs. The themes and feelings of love have not changed with the advancement in musical technology, this is apparent in the song by Billy Currington Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right. Within this song there are many similarities along with a few differences in his experience with love with that of the Troubadour artist Bernard de Ventadour and his composition of When the Fresh Grass. In the song Must Be Doin' Somthin' Right by Billy Currington he is telling about the feelings and images of love and the woman. He talks about how women are complex and don’t actually know what they want with a man, but, once you find out what they want there are many ways to tell that they are starting to fall in love. It is the man's responsibility to touch upon these hints of love and start working with them in order to...
Words: 1348 - Pages: 6
...courtly love strictly in the fictive world of poetry, denying that any person actually meant to apply its principles to the ‘real-world’ – this element of ‘play’ recognized courtly love as an acceptable aristocratic manifestation of passion. Cherchi, Paolo. “The Ambiguity of Courtly Love in Andreas Capellanus’ Model.” Andreas and the Ambiguity of Courtly Love. Toronto: U of Toronto P, 1994. 3-41. The emphasis in this chapter is on courtly love as it is conveyed by musicians – among the many poets and geographies to choose from. Troubadours focus on own mindset as devotees rather than reflect on the ladies of their affection. The differences Cherchi puts forth of troubadours’ version of courtly love are exceptionality, loyalty, and anguish, as well as the love itself as a source of moral goodness. In certain, he claims that Capellanus’ text serves as a clarification of courtly love, as described by troubadours – rather than a codification...
Words: 1293 - Pages: 6
...Impacts of the Vernacular Language In this paper we will be discussing a few different aspects to the rise of vernacular languages, its use, the spread of it and how it impacted the different cultures within the medieval age. From the rise of the Christian Churches to the time of courtly love, troubadours and the romantic love era vernacular languages impacted the people of France throughout Western Europe and the rest of the world. Though the people of the general population where not able to interpret and understand the Latin language known as the language of the elite (the educated or the people of higher and political authority) until mid to late middle ages, they began to write and speak through the common languages within their countries to make it easier to communicate and understand laws, romantic love and to also spread the words of god within the Christian churches. The Catholic Church was established in 325 CE (Sayre,2013), approximately 300 years after the death of Jesus Christ. By 476 BE, the Germans had taken over the Roman Empire under the rule of Constantine as he started to build his empire known as the Byzantine Empire . Constantine, the first Christian ruler, a believer of Jesus Christ, moved the Roman Empire to Instanbul, formerly known as modern day, Turkey. Upon establishing his empire and the Christian church Constantine named that city after himself, Constantinople. After the Christian Church was established came the Medieval Ages which took...
Words: 1012 - Pages: 5
...stories of courtly love were spread throughout Medieval Europe by troubadours and minstrels. These wandering minstrels and troubadors sang ballads about courtly love and were expected to memorize the words of long poems describing valor and the code of chivalry followed by the Medieval knights. This new style of expressive writing transcended everything from ballads of battles and monsters like Beowulf to romantic adventures, such as the Arthurian legends. The romance of courtly love popularized during the Middle Ages was combined with the code of chivalry. There were strict rules of courtly love that were practiced and observed by the members of the courts across Europe during the Middle Ages. These rules allowed knights and ladies to show their admiration regardless of their marital state. It was a common occurrence for a married lady to give a token to a knight of her choice to be worn during a Medieval tournament. Despite the existence of these rules, the parties who started their relationship with such elements would sometimes become deeply involved. A famous example of a relationship which was stirred by courtly love is described in the Legend of King Arthur, where his Queen, Guinevere fell in love with Sir Lancelot. Many illicit court romances were fuelled by such practices. The Comtessa de Dia or Beatritz (born c. 1140) was perhaps the most famous of a small group of trobairitz, or female troubadours who wrote songs of courtly love during the twelfth and thirteenth...
Words: 324 - Pages: 2
...Not Just a Language the Beginning of Unity Martha Ferguson AIU Online Not Just a Language the Beginning of Unity What is Vernacular language, today we call it the language of romance. However, it is the language of the people. As the Roman Empire grew the language of the people changed. Latin became a language for everyone to understand, a common language between people. Latin was used by Christians, government, people of status, people of education. As languages became to develop with different regions, Latin became less used, and harder for different regions to understand. The government then began to transform Latin with different dialects. Which became known as Vulgar Latin. Vulgar Latin is not a language of obscenities, but a language that used dialect from different coulters and languages for their people to understand. Latin began to adapted and transform into to the languages of the people from a particular region, becoming less understandable to the people of other regions, eventually turning Latin into a dead language (The End of Europe's Middle Ages) Adaptation is very evident throughout history. As the common people began to drop syllables or terminal letters, beginning what is known today as slang, different languages and dialect began to form. Today even in different states of America we from different languages of our culture, using slang and thick accents, which are hard for some outsiders to understand. Much like soldiers in Roam, who traveled...
Words: 922 - Pages: 4
...Eleanor of Aquitaine was a powerful and influential figure in medieval Europe, known for her intelligence, beauty, and political awareness. Born in 1122 in Aquitaine, France, Eleanor inherited vast lands and wealth from her father, making her one of the most eligible heiresses in Europe. At the age of 15, Eleanor married Louis VII of France and became Queen of France. However, their marriage was troubled and ultimately ended in divorce. Eleanor then married Henry II of England and became Queen of England, solidifying an alliance between England and Aquitaine. Eleanor of Aquitaine, achieved numerous remarkable accomplishments throughout her life. Eleanor inherited the duchy of Aquitaine at a young age and later became queen of France and England....
Words: 393 - Pages: 2
...HUMA-215 Troubadour poems began during the Second Crusade in the Middle East. As women, especially those of noble birth, were becoming increasingly literate began a time in which the great oral poems of the first millennium were first written down (Sayre, 2013 p. 166). A trobairitz was a love poem that a man would write about the love he felt for a woman (usually unattainable because married or of a higher status) (Sayre, 2013 p. 166). Many of these lyrics or poems were of great intensity and not used much if at all in today’s society. This type of language was used politically. Troubadour and trobairitz would use this style to express their support or disapproval of the political system at that time. Some common characteristics of these poems were that both men and women used them in everyday life. Men generally expressed their love for another woman in these poems and women wrote about more personal inter-self-issues. They were more intimate and more sensual in their love poems. I think the beauty and truthfulness that these poems poses is the most beautiful and so full of pure love. The feelings that are presented in these poems are amazing when you consider the literacy standards of the time. Many people were not well educated unless they were of a higher status in society. The sensuality that women wrote about seems to be the only way they were able to express themselves intimately without persecution. This is the contrast since women from this time period...
Words: 345 - Pages: 2
...Art Timeline XXXXXXXX Axia College of University of Phoenix Introduction to Art ART 101 Introduction Breaking free of the naturalism of Impressionism in the late 1880s, a group of painters sought independent artistic styles for expressing emotions rather than simply expressing visual impressions, concentrating on symbolic meaning. The term Post-Impressionism was coined by the English art critic Roger Fry for the work of such late nineteenth century painters as Paul Cézanne, Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and others (The Art Industri Group, 2002). Although often consciously at odds with one another and quite different in style, these artists are grouped under this common label that propelled art into the modern era. Rejecting the limitations of Impressionism and its strict and rigid beliefs, Post-Impressionism artists abandoned traditional subject matter and defined form with short brush strokes of broken color, thick, dark outlines, and simplified colors. In this timeline of Post-Impressionism oil paintings, the artwork exhibited will show the early stages of this French movement in early modernism, and the different techniques and uses of shape, color, outline, and form these artists incorporated to convey symbolic meaning and personal emotion. [pic] Fig. 1 1879 Apples, Peaches, Pears, and Grapes Paul Cézanne Oil on canvas Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia Apples, Peaches...
Words: 3515 - Pages: 15