Cliges

by Chretien, de Troyes; Cline, Ruth Harwood

• ISBN13: 9780820321424
• ISBN10: 0820321427
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-02-01
• Publisher: Univ of Georgia Pr

Summary

In this verse translation ofCliges, written by Chretien de Troyes circa 1176, Ruth Harwood Cline not only preserves the artistry of the original work but also captures the wit, irony, and striking emotional power of Chretien's stylistic genius and highly structured form.The romance begins with the marriage of Cliges's parents and continues with the clandestine, mutual love of their son and his uncle's bride, Fenice. Cliges and Fenice are finally united after executing a false-death plot aided by black magic.With a thoroughness and clarity that will appeal to students and scholars of medieval literature, Cline's accessible translation effectively conveys the sparkle, pace, and intricate wordplay of Chretien's love monologues, classic themes, and complex poetic devices. In addition, her introduction sheds new light on the transmission of British history and legend to the French court of Champagne. With themes that echo from the Tristan legend toRomeo and Juliet,Cligesis an exciting romance about young lovers who escape from an arranged match and find true love in marriage.

Author Biography

Ruth Harwood Cline is a research associate in the department of history at Georgetown University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	ix
CLIGES
Prologue	1	(1)
King Arthur's Court	2	(11)
Love Laments	13	(18)
England and Knighthood	31	(5)
The Siege of Windsor	36	(29)
Alexander's Wedding	65	(4)
The Birth of Cliges	69	(2)
Alexander's Settlement	71	(6)
A German Marriage	77	(6)
The Cologne Tournament	83	(4)
Thessala's Sorcery	87	(7)
Alis's Wedding	94	(5)
Fenice's Abduction and Return	99	(24)
Cliges Departs for Britain	123	(10)
The Wallingford Tournament	133	(14)
Cliges Returns to Greece	147	(3)
Avowal and Plans	150	(14)
The Empress's Illness	164	(15)
The Tower	179	(18)
Notes	197	(12)
Bibliography	209