Post 1 Question
Most royal marriages were based on dynastic or political reasons, and affection was rarely taken as a consideration. Fortunately, unlike the union of Gurun and many other loveless relationships, some of the noble couples in the Middle Ages came to love and adore each other. An example can be drawn from the courtly marriage that was arranged between Eleanor and Edward I. They learned how to be devoted to each other and accompanied one another on sorties abroad. There is even an account where Eleanor saved Edward’s life by sucking out the venom of a poisonous snake that had bitten him. Shakespeare articulated another royal romance of Katherine of Valois and Henry V. However, after the King’s death Katherine fell in love with her wardrobe keeper. Conclusively, love in royal marriages was a rare aspect since they were bound by their duties but felt affection for others resulting in adultery or fornication.
Post 2
Hi, I concur with your depiction of love being blind in the sources. It makes people do sacrificial things to maintain the happiness or well-being of those they love (Burr, 2004). For instance, Le Fresne accepted the union of Gurun to a noble woman so that he could preserve his lineage (France, 1982). Also, affection is viewed from the sacrifice of the parents of Silence to they could help her inherit their wealth (McCracken, 2005). Love is a powerful phenomenon that blinds individuals to procure selfless deeds.
Post 3
Hi, it is true that marriage can lack love, especially in noble unions. But the attraction makes people do brave things for their love indicating that marriage cannot inhibit affection. For example, Gurun took Les Fresne when she got pregnant to avoid the wrath of Abess and also to keep her close (France, 1982). The existence of love does not depend on the class of the two individuals.
Post 4
Hi, your response develops a relationship between love, gender, and social classes whereby some people were not allowed to marry because they were female such as the nuns while the peasants were prohibited since it would make them deviate from their work. It appears as if love was left for the nobles and men (Kibler, 1981).
References
Burr K. L. (2004). "A Question of Honor: Eufeme's Transgressions in Le Roman De Silence." Medieval Feminist Forum 38, no. 1 : 28-37.
Available at: http://ir.uiowa.edu/mff/vol38/iss1/4.
France M. (1982). "Le Fresne" (The Ash Tree) from: The Lais of Marie de France, Durham, North Carolina: The Labyrinth Press, pp. 73 – 87 translated Judith P. Shoaf ©1996.
Kibler, W. W. (1981). (Ed.): "Chretien DeTroyes: Lancelot, or The Knight of
the Cart (Garland Library of Medieval Literature 1A, New York & London).
McCracken P. (2005). "The Boy who was a Girl": reading gender in
the 'Roman de Silence.' Questia.com.
