Love and Literature

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Recommended: How does Shakespeare explore the theme of love

"Love is an inborn suffering proceeding from the sight and immoderate thought upon the beauty of the other sex, for which cause above all other things one wishes to embrace the other and, by common assent, in this embrace to fulfill the commandments of love. . . ." once said Andreas Capellanus, the twelfth century French author of a well-known but skeptical book, The Art of Courtly Love. Despite Capellanus’s attempt to provide others with an accurate definition of love, he fails in doing so; trying to achieve the impossible; Capellanus is unaware in composing a meaning of love that with its great ambiguity, love cannot ever be defined as a single phrase; its true meaning, which lies in the eyes of each different individual, includes a vast array of definitions, all of which differ from each other, either slightly or majorly. The presence of many distinctive interpretations of love helps illustrate this point. Even the greatest philosophical, powerful, and influential individuals of history possess diverse opinions regarding the extensive, far-reaching concept of love. William Shakespeare, a renowned author, and creator of immortal words and poetry which have endured though the modern times once said,” Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs, Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes, Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall and a preserving sweet.”” Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.” Shakespeare’s compelling use of language to convey his opinions is remarkable, yet very much differs from that of Andreas Capellanus. While Shakespeare depicts love as a seemingly wonderful and comforting part of life, including that love, at times, can be unpleasant,...

... middle of paper ...

...your words are so halting. Why?

Cyrano: In this dim light they have to grope through shadows to your ear.”

In this excerpt, Cyrano utilizes his witty, intelligent, yet cunning personality to appease Roxanne, and to fulfill her wishes of Christian to speak amorously of her.

These same excerpts of Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” illustrate the direct participation of Roxanne, Cyrano, and Christian in the tradition of courtly love. During the balcony scene, Roxanne believes she is speaking with her “knight”, both literally and figuratively. The practice of courtly love includes a woman loving a knight, and because Christian is a cadet in the war, he fits into this description. Christian also loves Roxanne, and protects her during the war he is fighting in.

In conclusion, there are many interpretations of love, which lie in the eyes of each distinct individual.

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