The goal of this paper is to provide the philosophical medieval notion of emotion and reason and subsequently to investigate how emotion and reason relate to each other in the poem "Sir Orfeo".
The Middle English romance "Sir Orfeo" is an anonymous poem of the early fourteenth century (1330-40) that has found great resonance with literary research and critique. It has been praised by multiple authors to be 'a small poetic miracle' or 'one of the most loveliest and charming of all Middle English Romances'. The romance deals with Orfeo, king of Winchester who fails to save his beautiful wife Eurodis from the underworld and who decides in consequence of this loss to leave his kingdom in order to live in the wilderness. One day he rediscovers Eurodis among sixty ladies, follows her to the underworld, succeeds to bring her back to his kingdom and to restore his power.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The medieval notion of the emotion
2.1 Augustine’s response to the stoic view of emotion and reason
3. Emotion and reason in the romance Sir Orfeo
3.1 Orfeo’s exile- the nexus between emotion and reason
4. Conclusions
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to explore the philosophical medieval understanding of emotion and reason, and to subsequently analyze how these two forces interact within the Middle English romance Sir Orfeo, focusing specifically on the protagonist's journey.
- Historical and philosophical foundations of medieval emotion theory.
- Augustine of Hippo's theological influence on the perception of reason and emotion.
- The psychological interpretation of King Orfeo's exile.
- The role of nature, music, and pilgrimage as mechanisms for regaining reason.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Orfeo’s exile- the nexus between emotion and reason
After King Orfeo fails to rescue his wife Eurodis from the King of fairy, he is in such a way overwhelmed by emotions of sorrow, self-denial and regret that he decides to leave his kingdom and to live in the wilderness.
The king into his chaumber is go,
And oft swoned opon the ston,
And made swiche diol and swiche mon
That neighe his liif was y-spent -
Ther was non amendement. (ll. 196-200)
[…]Into wildernes ichil te
And live ther evermore
With wilde bestes in holtes hore;
And when ye understond that y be spent,
Make you than a parlement,
And chese you a newe king. (ll. 212-217)
The aspect of Orfeo’s exile has been discussed in several readings. For instance, it has been explained as a sign of ‘self-abasement’ or ‘expiation’ (Pearsall 1996: 56). Pearsall regards Orfeo’s decision as calculated and as the repetition of his wife’s experience. Yet, this does not exclude the fact that the act of abandoning his kingdom and going into the wilderness has emerged from an internal impulse, an emotion. Taking into account the potential consequences of his exile, as for instance the risk of invasion by other powers, it becomes clear that Orfeo’s decision is not obedient to reason. Seen from this angle of view, we can assume that he is on the contrary driven by his emotions and not capable of having reasonable thoughts.
His exile depicts the logic consequence of the strength of his emotions, for he is mourning and must move and go on a pilgrimage in order to process his sorrow. The author of the romance alludes to the aspect of pilgrimage by emphasising that Orfeo leaves all his wealth behind, only takes upon himself a pilgrim’s mantle and goes barefoot.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of the romance Sir Orfeo in literary research and establishes the paper's focus on the dualism of mind and heart.
2. The medieval notion of the emotion: Discusses the historical and philosophical conceptions of emotions in the Middle Ages, emphasizing the interplay between cognitive and physiological dimensions.
2.1 Augustine’s response to the stoic view of emotion and reason: Analyzes how Augustine of Hippo challenged Stoic perspectives, arguing that emotions can be compatible with reason and justice.
3. Emotion and reason in the romance Sir Orfeo: Applies the theoretical framework regarding Augustine's views to the literary analysis of the poem's protagonist.
3.1 Orfeo’s exile- the nexus between emotion and reason: Examines Orfeo's abandonment of his kingdom as a manifestation of emotional overwhelming and his subsequent path to mental recovery through nature and music.
4. Conclusions: Synthesizes the finding that Orfeo's journey represents the human condition, where emotional trauma and the eventual return to reason are deeply interconnected.
Keywords
Sir Orfeo, Medieval Literature, Philosophy of Emotion, Reason, Augustine of Hippo, Exile, Pilgrimage, Human Condition, Middle English Romance, Psychology, Stoicism, Harmony, Mind, Heart, Sorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the intersection of emotion and reason within the Middle English romance Sir Orfeo, framed by medieval philosophical and theological perspectives.
What are the main thematic fields addressed in the text?
The text focuses on literary criticism, medieval philosophy of mind, the historical context of emotion, and psychoanalytic interpretations of narrative structures.
What is the central research question?
The paper aims to investigate how the dualism of emotion and reason is represented in Sir Orfeo and how these forces influence the protagonist’s actions.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The work utilizes a combination of literary analysis and the application of philosophical frameworks—specifically those of St. Augustine—to interpret character behavior.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers medieval theories of emotion, Augustine’s critique of the Stoics, and a detailed analysis of King Orfeo's exile as a process of emotional maturation.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Sir Orfeo, medieval literature, emotion, reason, exile, pilgrimage, and the human condition.
Why does the author focus on Augustine's view of emotion?
Augustine is highlighted because his theological influence was fundamental in shaping the medieval understanding that emotions are not necessarily opposed to reason.
How is Orfeo’s exile interpreted in terms of the emotion-reason nexus?
The exile is seen as an initial, irrational, emotional response to loss, which eventually evolves into a reflective journey (a secular pilgrimage) that restores his capacity for reason.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2015, Orfeo's Exile. The Nexus between Emotion and Reason, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/511928
