| Les Cantiques Salemon: The Song of Songs in MS Paris BNF Fr. 14966 Contributor(s): Hunt, Tony (Editor) |
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ISBN: 2503518060 ISBN-13: 9782503518060 Publisher: Brepols Publishers OUR PRICE: $47.50 Product Type: Hardcover Language: French, Middle (1400-1600) Published: May 2006 Annotation: The first edition of one of three Old French commentaries on the 'Song of Songs.' It is notable for its inclusion of contrafacta of courtly, secular lyrics and by its fervent lyricism. Its character and allusions to the Beguines link it to female piety in Northern France in the 13th century. There is a full introduction on the tradition of the Song of Songs and Beguine writing in Old French. A detailed summary of the text is provided, along with a complete glossary, notes, and a study of the language of the text. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Europe - France - History | Europe - Medieval |
| Dewey: 223.907 |
| Series: Medieval Women: Texts and Contexts |
| Physical Information: 0.85" H x 6.54" W x 9.66" (1.39 lbs) 254 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - French |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: There are three medieval French adaptations of the Song of Songs, each reflecting a distinct exegetical tradition. The latest of these three, here edited for the first time (from BNF fr. 14966), adopts the tropological interpretation according to which the Song depicts the relationship of the individual soul with God. The mystical, contemplative approach owes much to Bernard of Clairvaux, William of St Thierry, and Thomas the Cistercian, and this Cistercian tradition also has close links with the Beguines, a connection which receives detailed exploration in the editor's extensive Introduction. Writing in the late-thirteenth century in north-eastern France, the author of the Cantiques is aware of such an association and not only engages in the familiar procedures of allegorization, but, more originally, inserts into his commentary eight lyrics which are modelled on known secular chansons which receive full attention from the editor. Within the text, which covers Song 1. 1 to Song 3. 11 in 2544 octosyllables arranged in eight-line stanzas, speeches are assigned to Sponsus, Sponsa, Magister, and Religio. The Cantiques Salemon is the work of a poet rather than of a theologian, reflecting many elements associated with 'la courtoisie mystique', which in turn is characteristic of writing for the Beguines. The editor provides a detailed summary of the text, full glossary and notes as well as an account of the language. To these is added a study of the poet's principal literary techniques, involving both the varied processes of translation and the elaboration of a network of links between stanzas together with the imprint of a personal, lyric quality on the whole. |