Love remained a major theme in the Medieval and Renaissance Literature but this form of romantic passion is depicted differently is both eras. In the Medieval era, its takes the form of ‘courtly love’ and was labeled as a noble passion coupled with chivalry and gallantry. In renaissance, love was also considered an ennobling phenomenon but we see concept of romantic and exalted love that has nothing to do with knightly and chivalrous qualities. In the short story of Equitan, courtly love is not depicted an immodest and lustful phenomenon but it is praised occasionally. It further shows certain other fine qualities of the contemporary culture. Equitan was not a usurper. Although being a king, he was able to keep his seneschal’s wife by force or decree but he took into account both the seneschal and his wife’s feelings over the issue. Following the tradition of courtly love, he disclosed his love for the lady and requested her hand. This clearly manifests that culture and value of time pertaining to courtly love strongly prohibited forced love.
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