Study Materials – by Paul Brians

Lecture 38: Medieval Lyric Poetry and Music

Note: This study guide is presented here as a historical document only. Paul Brians is retired and his courses are no longer offered by WSU.

(Brians 233-236, 246-249)

Questions on the Medieval Lyric Poetry and Music: *In the anonymous 13th Century Franciscan hymn to Mary: Stabat mater dolorosa, what experience does the narrator want to share with Mary? Why? In The Wife’s Lament, why is the woman unhappy? *In Omittamus Studia (p. 246) what is the poet’s reaction to the shortness of life? *What seems to be the attitude of the Comtessa de Dia toward her husband? *What qualities does she say her lover possesses? *What is a “dawn song?” Why was outdoor lovemaking often resorted to in the Middle Ages?

Lecture outline:

  • Literature
  • Most famous writers: Dante Aligheri
  • & Geoffrey Chaucer
  • Main themes in secular poetry
  • Music
  • Typical musical instruments
  • The evolution of music notation
  • Evolution of Monophonic into
  • polyphonic music
  • Major religious and secular themes
  • in texts

Off-campus:

A Medieval music manuscript

Supplementary materials:s

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