Love in the Middle Ages

Undergraduate / Graduate

In this course, we will examine the origins of European love poetry, focusing on the works of Italian authors from the 13th and 14th centuries. Writers such as Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio explored the nature of love-its power, its perils, and its role in human life. Through close reading and discussion of texts including The Divine Comedy, the Canzoniere, and the Decameron, we will investigate fundamental questions: What is love, and what defines a true lover? Can earthly love coexist with divine love? Is love a fleeting illusion, or does it possess the capacity to shape society? Throughout the course, we will analyze the interplay between literature, philosophy, and cultural history, examining poetic and rhetorical strategies alongside thematic concerns. By the end of the course, students will have developed a strong foundation for engaging more deeply with later literary traditions. Simultaneously, they will gain a broader perspective on love-not merely as an emotion but as a force that has shaped culture and society throughout history.