The Language of Desire: Poetics and Symbolism in Courtly Love

"The Language of Desire: Poetics and Symbolism in Courtly Love" by Ryan Evans offers an illuminating journey into the heart of medieval romance, unveiling the rich poetic devices, metaphors, and symbols that shaped the era's most captivating love stories. Through detailed analyses of the Breton lais, this book reveals how medieval poets gave voice to the complexities of desire—its joys, pains, spiritual aspirations, and social tensions—using a language both subtle and profound. Blending literary scholarship with historical insight, Evans unlocks the secret codes of courtly love, from enchanted forests and symbolic tokens to the interplay of silence and speech, unveiling the timeless human emotions behind these enchanting tales. Essential reading for lovers of medieval literature and anyone fascinated by the enduring power of love's language, this book breathes new life into stories that have inspired generations and continue to resonate today.