COURTLY LOVE Meaning and
Definition
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Courtly love refers to a medieval European concept and code of conduct associated with romantic relationships, mainly between a knight or nobleman and a lady of higher social standing. It emerged in the late 11th century and reached its peak during the late Middle Ages. Rooted in the ideals of chivalry, courtly love emphasized passion, devotion, and admiration as key elements of these relationships.
In courtly love, the knight served the lady as a faithful servant, idealizing her and placing her on a pedestal. The love between them was seen as pure and noble, often carried out in secret due to societal constraints or existing marriages. Courtly love also celebrated the idea of unrequited love, where the knight's devotion to his lady remained steadfast regardless of her reciprocation.
There were certain conventions and rituals associated with courtly love, such as the exchange of love tokens, poems, and songs. A knight would often embark on quests or undertake heroic deeds to prove his love and gain recognition from his lady. The concept of courtly love became a symbol of refined manners and an expression of the refined and romantic ideals of medieval aristocracy.
While courtly love was an idealized notion, it also had its critics who perceived it as unrealistic and even immoral. Nonetheless, courtly love left a lasting impact on literature, art, and social behaviors of the time, influencing the development of romantic ideals and themes that continue to resonate in modern culture.
Common Misspellings for COURTLY LOVE
- xourtly love
- vourtly love
- fourtly love
- dourtly love
- ciurtly love
- ckurtly love
- clurtly love
- cpurtly love
- c0urtly love
- c9urtly love
- coyrtly love
- cohrtly love
- cojrtly love
- coirtly love
- co8rtly love
- co7rtly love
- couetly love
- coudtly love
- couftly love
Etymology of COURTLY LOVE
The term "courtly love" or "fin'amor" is derived from the Old French term "amour courtois". It was coined in the late 19th century by the French medievalist Gaston Paris to describe a specific form of medieval love literature. The word "amour" means love, and "courtois" derives from the Old French word "cortois", which means courteous or polite. Therefore, courtly love refers to a type of romantic love that was seen as refined, noble, and socially acceptable within the context of courtly culture during the Middle Ages.
Similar spelling words for COURTLY LOVE
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