Tracing the theme of love through the arts of the later Middle Ages

                 The later Middle Ages in Europe (1150-1400) is also called Gothic Awakening, when Medieval towns and cities gained freedom from Feudal obligation. The Gothic era brought by itself new styles of architecture, music, literature, and art. Both secular and religious love themes can be traced in this era.

            Much of Gothic architecture was influenced by Abbot Suger who tried to make a connection between God and his form of architecture. Reflected light in precious gems and golden reliquaries would represent God’s spiritual being and walls of colored glass would represent the return of Christ.

            Worldly love depicted in later Middle Ages’ arts and music was influenced by the Courtly Love for the most part. The Courtly Love described a code of behavior between men and women. According to the Courtly Love the young man would express his love, devotion, and servitude to his beloved, but the noblewoman would reject it by overcoming her emotions. The male troubadour’s songs and poems would either praise the beloved’s beauty or complain about her cruelty. The female troubadour would often praise lover’s character and warn him against betrayal. Capellanus, Marie de France, Dante, Chaucer, and Giotto are some of magnificent characters of later middle ages art and literature. Their works contain romantic, religious, mystic, social, and political themes.

            By the fourteenth century, secular songs were enriched rhythmically and harmonically, and gradually replaced monophonic songs of troubadours and trouvere. Developed in northern France, this new style was called the Ars nova. Guillaume Machaut was considered to be the master of Ars nova. The majority of his music was composed for dukes and kings. Doulz Viaire Gracieus is a love song written by him which can interchangeably be addressed to the Virgin Marry or a lady love.

            Expression of love in the early Middle Ages’ arts and music were more religious, but towards the end of this era we see more secular love themes growing in the music and the literature. “ In place of a corrupt and discredited Church, Europe’s courts and cities had become leading centers of power and patrons of the arts” ( Bishop 179)   

Resource: Bishop Philip E. Adventures in the Human Spirit prentice Hall, Pearson .Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: 5^th Edition.