Introduction to Provencal :: essays research papers

Introduction to provencalProvenal was originally used in all the south of France, as far north as Poitou, Limousin and the Dauphin. Romance language descended from Latin.XIth centuryEarliest texts (3) survive from XIth century. La Chanson de Sainte Foy (1033) is the only one of received merit. XIIth CenturyPeriod of the early minstrels. Dominant genre lyric poetry, especially the chanson (love poetry) withal important, sirventes (satire) moral and religious poetry and the partimen (debate poetry).Principal poets Guillaume IX of Aquitaine, Marcabru, Jaufr Rudel, Cercamon, Bernart de Ventadour, Bertran de Born, Arnaut Daniel and Raimbaut dAurenga. Wrote for a society where patronage was the rule. Poetry governed by strict conventions as regards rhyme and metre. Music very important. Poets were usually composers as well and set their poems to music.Society done for(p) by the Albigensian Crusade (first part of the thirteenth century). Many southern lords destroyed or impoverished an d replaced by northern invaders. Deathblow to troubadours, many of whom fled to Aragon and Italy where troubadour poetry continued to enjoy great prestige. Dante admired the troubadours very much.XIIIth centuryXIIIth century sees poetry continue with poets like Peire Cardenal and there are some go poems, which show that there was an epic tradition (Daurel et Beton), and a romance tradition (Jaufr and Flamenca).XIVth centuryPoetry becomes conventional with few outstanding poets, but real efforts to relate the traditions and language. 1323 foundation of the Consistori del Gai Saber. The Jeux Floraux at Toulouse where prizes were awarded to the best poets. Religious poetry flourished (La Vida de Sant Onorat) and there was some epic poetry (Ronsasvals). Some theatre and prose especially religious (Barlaam et Josafat), but also secular (Melusino, Chronique de Montpellier).XVth centuryA flow of decline in quality and quantity. Some theatre (les mystres rouergats and alpins), some prose (Chronique des Comtes de Foix et seigneurs du Bearn by Michel Bernis 1445). Period when Provenal writers are turning towards French for political and prestigious reasons.XVIth centuryDespite the dit de Villers-Cotterets (1539) enforcing the use of French in official documents, a period of some revival. Particularly inGascony where the efforts of the navarese Kings to maintain their independence meant some of Gascon. Pey de Garros (1565) wrote Psaumes for Jeanne dAlbret. Guillaume du Bartas (also wrote in French) and Auger Gaillard (Lou Banquet 1583 republished three times) both use Gascon. In Provence Louis Bellaud (1543-88) and Pierre capital of Minnesota poets of some merit with many followers.