The Art of Courtly Love

Marriage is no real excuse for not loving. That which a lover takes against the will of his beloved has no relish. When made public, love rarely endures. Love can deny nothing to love. Published in the twelfth century, Andreas Capellanus’ canonical Art of Courtly Love had a major impact on the cultural and social conduct of medieval Europeans. But the book is more than just a list of rules and advice – it is a remarkably influential piece of allegory and myth and a time capsule of the social laws and customs of court. Its style and concerns served as the foundation of a long and significant tradition of English literature, and its attitudes and practices shaped Western civilization. Renowned medievalist Jan Ziolkowski has completed a new translation of the work from the original French, maintaining its lively tone and sophisticated play with character and sentiment. He has also written a foreword highlighting the work’s continued relevance and has updated the bibliography with new critical sources.