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A survey of the significance of names, or their absence, in medieval English, French, and Anglo-Norman romance.
Naming and namelessness are among the major themes of medieval romance. Because the genre is so difficult to define, scholars have viewed romance as containing a critical number of themes; this book treats naming as a major themeof romance, and furthermore examines romance's relationship with contemporary naming-theory. A new genre, it is able to play with naming in a way that previously established genres are not.
The book begins with a discussion of the medieval background to romance, and explores a series of naming-patterns found across a broad range of texts. It continues with detailed analysis of twenty-one romances [in English, French, and Anglo-Norman, from 1130 to 1500], to show how naming-themes are treated differently in each, and to demonstrate the importance of name as a generic marker. Finally, an appendix provides details of each romance's context, together with indications for further research.
JANE BLISS is an independent scholar; she gained her PhD from Oxford Brookes University.
Naming and namelessness are among the major themes of medieval romance. Because the genre is so difficult to define, scholars have viewed romance as containing a critical number of themes; this book treats naming as a major themeof romance, and furthermore examines romance's relationship with contemporary naming-theory. A new genre, it is able to play with naming in a way that previously established genres are not.
The book begins with a discussion of the medieval background to romance, and explores a series of naming-patterns found across a broad range of texts. It continues with detailed analysis of twenty-one romances [in English, French, and Anglo-Norman, from 1130 to 1500], to show how naming-themes are treated differently in each, and to demonstrate the importance of name as a generic marker. Finally, an appendix provides details of each romance's context, together with indications for further research.
JANE BLISS is an independent scholar; she gained her PhD from Oxford Brookes University.
Price: $130.00
Pages: 266
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: D.S.Brewer
Publication Date:
17 April 2008
Trim Size: 9.21 X 6.14 in
ISBN: 9781843841593
Format: Hardcover
BISACs:
LITERARY CRITICISM / Medieval, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval
A very valuable reference work.
The volume is to be admired as much for the author's willingness to shoulder a difficult and interesting topic as it is for the breadth of primary texts that it treats. [...] Researchers interested in the topic will, nevertheless, find in this volume a rich trove of examples on which to base further study of this theme.
An indispensable tool for scholars investigating the themes of name and identity in medieval romance.
[The author] has generously laid the necessary groundwork for scholars who wish to examine the theme of naming in other contexts.
Provides a refreshingly non-ideological approach to romance, cutting across the questions posed by language choice, the popular/courtly debate, gendered readings, or any other culturally evaluative analysis. A worthwhile, interesting book, which positively encourages critical engagement on the part of the reader, and further scholarship on the subject.
The volume is to be admired as much for the author's willingness to shoulder a difficult and interesting topic as it is for the breadth of primary texts that it treats. [...] Researchers interested in the topic will, nevertheless, find in this volume a rich trove of examples on which to base further study of this theme.
An indispensable tool for scholars investigating the themes of name and identity in medieval romance.
[The author] has generously laid the necessary groundwork for scholars who wish to examine the theme of naming in other contexts.
Provides a refreshingly non-ideological approach to romance, cutting across the questions posed by language choice, the popular/courtly debate, gendered readings, or any other culturally evaluative analysis. A worthwhile, interesting book, which positively encourages critical engagement on the part of the reader, and further scholarship on the subject.
Preface
The Context of Medieval Romance
Naming Patterns and Tendencies
The Power of Name
The Fair Unknown
Unknown Women
The Fair Unknown Revisited
Women's Power of Name
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
The Context of Medieval Romance
Naming Patterns and Tendencies
The Power of Name
The Fair Unknown
Unknown Women
The Fair Unknown Revisited
Women's Power of Name
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index