Courtly Love and Eroticism: Adapting «Fin’Amors» in the Non-Cyclic «Prose Lancelot»

Abstract

In the Middle Ages, eroticism emerged as an important subject in both literary works and treatises on love, shaping a culture where sensuality and courtly love (fin’amors) were central. The concept of fin’amors, prevalent in the courts of 12th-century Europe, celebrated an idealised, restrained relationship between a knight and a noblewoman. This relationship, though filled with desire, was bound by social conventions and hierarchy. Drawing on the tales of Lancelot, particularly Le Chevalier à la Charrette and the non-cyclic Lancelot en prose, this article examines the dynamic between Lancelot and Queen Guinevere within this framework, highlighting the themes of restraint, devotion, and secrecy inherent in the tradition of courtly love. The study also examines the role of Guinevere, her influence on the knights, and the societal implications of her actions, especially her adulterous relationship with Lancelot. Through this analysis, the article discusses the tension between feudal loyalty, love, and the courtly ideals that governed medieval society, illustrated in the cultural and literary representations of the time.