Medieval Romance and the Construction of Heterosexuality

by L. Sylvester

Overview

This book interrogates our ideas about heterosexuality through examination of medieval romance narratives. Familiar configurations of romantic fiction such as male desire overwhelming feminine reluctance and the aloof masculine hero undone by love derive from this period. This book tests current theories of language and desire through stylistic analysis, examining transitivity choices and speech acts in sexual encounters and conversations in medieval romances. In the context of current preoccupations with gender and sexuality, and consent in rape cases, this study is of interest to scholars investigating language and sexuality as well as those researching and teaching medieval literature and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230602786
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication date:	07/21/2008
Series:	The New Middle Ages
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	202
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

LOUISE M. SYLVESTER is Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Central England, Birmingham, UK.

Table of Contents

Constructing the Heterosexual Contract Romance and Rape The Sadistic Hero Dynamics of Consensual Heterosex Romance Debased

Editorial Reviews

"This study makes a significant and needed contribution to Chaucer studies. It provides an attractive application of close linguistic analysis to discuss central medieval texts including Chaucer, in the context of current interests in gender and sexuality. Filled with precise and measurable observations - sometimes counter-intuitive- it lays down a marker for less textually observant theoretical approaches. It is written with verve and style, engages with issues of topical interest and encourages a sharp, intellectual approach to the text - not only of Chaucer, but of often neglected medieval romances." - Rosalind Field, Royal Holloway University of London

From the Publisher