
Orality and Performance in Early French Romance
Evelyn Birge Vitz(Author)
D.S. Brewer (Publisher)
Published on 31. December 1998
Book
Hardback
328 pages
978-0-85991-538-0 (ISBN)
Description
Discussion of the importance of oral and performance traditions in the history of early Frence romance.
This book proposes a fundamental revision of the history of early French romance, arguing that oral and performed traditions were far more important in the development of romance than scholars have recognised. It begins by dealingwith issues of orality and literacy, and argues that the form in which romances were composed was not the invention of clerics but was, rather, an oral form. It shows how early versions of the Tristan story, by Beroul, Thomas andMarie de France, express the complex interplay between oral and written traditions, then goes on to focus in greater depth on Benoit de Sainte-Maure, Chretien and the anonymous author of the Roman de Thebes. The second part of the book looks at performance, showing that romances such as those of Chretien invited voiced presentation; moreover, they were frequently recitd from memory, sung, and acted out in "dramatic" fashion. Romances can, and should, still be performed today.
EVELYN BIRGE VITZ is Professor of French and Comparative Literature at New York University.
This book proposes a fundamental revision of the history of early French romance, arguing that oral and performed traditions were far more important in the development of romance than scholars have recognised. It begins by dealingwith issues of orality and literacy, and argues that the form in which romances were composed was not the invention of clerics but was, rather, an oral form. It shows how early versions of the Tristan story, by Beroul, Thomas andMarie de France, express the complex interplay between oral and written traditions, then goes on to focus in greater depth on Benoit de Sainte-Maure, Chretien and the anonymous author of the Roman de Thebes. The second part of the book looks at performance, showing that romances such as those of Chretien invited voiced presentation; moreover, they were frequently recitd from memory, sung, and acted out in "dramatic" fashion. Romances can, and should, still be performed today.
EVELYN BIRGE VITZ is Professor of French and Comparative Literature at New York University.
Reviews / Votes
An invitation to reintroduce the excitement of the human voice in our reading of medieval romances, and to respond to them creatively. As such it is to be welcomed. -- Francoise le Saux * NOTES AND QUERIES * A book that needed to be written, on questions that needed a fresh examination. In short, it is a study that all medievalists should know. -- Norris J. Lacy * SPECULUM *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-85991-538-0 (9780859915380)
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Schweitzer Classification