This Project is not specific to Greece. For more details, please visit OpenAIRE Explore.
Link with research outputs.
Please log in first and try again.
Completed
The Interplay between Middle Dutch Charlemagne and Arthurian romances
FunderNetherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
Duration01 Dec 2006 - 20 Jul 2011
Project code275-30-008
Identifiers
Project timeline100%
Description
The study of Middle Dutch chivalric romances is marred by two limitations. Firstly, scholars usually do not cross generic boundaries and tend to specialize in a particular type of literature: either the Arthurian genre, or the Chansons de geste, stories about the Frankish king Charlemagne. Consequently, no attention has been paid to the frequent occurrence of connections between both genres. Secondly, Middle Dutch scholarship is hampered by the lack of contact with modern innovative literary theories that have been successfully applied abroad. The aim of this project is to study Charlemagne and Arthurian romances in an innovative way: not as two different and separate genres, but in relation to each other as products of the same social-cultural environment. Moreover, a modern gender point of view will be used in order to determine the differences, similarities and connections between both genres. Recent research has shown that this perspective is one of the most effective ánd attractive ways to study the exchange of generic features in chivalric romances. The project´s focus is on Flanders. In this region most of the Dutch chivalric romances have their origin. Elsewhere the chansons de geste had already been established as a literary genre. In Flanders however, Middle Dutch Charlemagne and Arthurian Romances were introduced at the very same time, in the middle of the thirteenth century, and must have been appreciated by the same audience. The main hypothesis of this project is that because of this simultaneous introduction both genres have mutually influenced each other more than in other literatures. This innovative approach to Flemish chivalric romances may eventually lead to a redefinition of generic features of Charlemagne and Arthurian romances, and will consequently have its effects on the literary history of the epic genre in the Netherlands. (292 words) KEYWORDS: Chanson de geste; Arthurian romance; Middle Dutch literature; comparative literary history; gender.
Partners (2)
Start a new DMP in Loading
The study of Middle Dutch chivalric romances is marred by two limitations. Firstly, scholars usually do not cross generic boundaries and tend to specialize in a particular type of literature: either the Arthurian genre, or the Chansons de geste, stories about the Frankish king Charlemagne. Consequently, no attention has been paid to the frequent occurrence of connections between both genres. Secondly, Middle Dutch scholarship is hampered by the lack of contact with modern innovative literary theories that have been successfully applied abroad. The aim of this project is to study Charlemagne and Arthurian romances in an innovative way: not as two different and separate genres, but in relation to each other as products of the same social-cultural environment. Moreover, a modern gender point of view will be used in order to determine the differences, similarities and connections between both genres. Recent research has shown that this perspective is one of the most effective ánd attractive ways to study the exchange of generic features in chivalric romances. The project´s focus is on Flanders. In this region most of the Dutch chivalric romances have their origin. Elsewhere the chansons de geste had already been established as a literary genre. In Flanders however, Middle Dutch Charlemagne and Arthurian Romances were introduced at the very same time, in the middle of the thirteenth century, and must have been appreciated by the same audience. The main hypothesis of this project is that because of this simultaneous introduction both genres have mutually influenced each other more than in other literatures. This innovative approach to Flemish chivalric romances may eventually lead to a redefinition of generic features of Charlemagne and Arthurian romances, and will consequently have its effects on the literary history of the epic genre in the Netherlands. (292 words) KEYWORDS: Chanson de geste; Arthurian romance; Middle Dutch literature; comparative literary history; gender.
