GENRE, IDEOLOGY, AND UTOPIA IN "HUON DE BORDEAUX"
Luke Sunderland
Huon de Bordeaux has always sat uncomfortably within literary history, especially categories of genre. Composed f.1260,1 is a relatively late epic, but it remains in the classic chanson geste form assonanced decasyllabic laisses throughout, and both begins ends recognizable Carolingian universe with problems at court: traitors lure heir to throne into attempting ambush hero, Huon, whom they envy. The prince then unwittingly killed by Huon. As punishment, sent East text now becomes magical mystery tour, showing elements associated romance, folklore, pilgrimage literature, crusade cycle epics, even Exodus,2 before finally returning court Charlemagne. Because this long central section, there have been doubts as whether can be called 'real' geste. Though names itself 'chanson' (lines 2, 10792),3 never integrated other its fellow travellers codices being continuations specifically written for it.4 It work apart. Hence tradition coming up new labels it. first modern editor Francois Guess ard, already displayed uncertainties: he considered anomalous because emerged time when chansons were decline poemes d'aventure growing popularity.5 He therefore 'd'un genre mixte'.6 Since then, generally termed geste, caveat: is, variously, attempt renew dying genre;7 or that 'give [s] over charm merveilleux'? 'burlesque' work;9 'chanson anhistorique';10 or, finally, d'aventure'.11 said incorporate alien material an epic framework;12 display 'archetypes romance'.13 Most recently, criticism returned position espoused place Guessard, Keith Busby declaring 'hybrid' traverses medieval genres figure dwarf Auberon, son Julius Caesar (who, tells us, held Armenia, Austria, Hungary, Constantinople) Morgan, Arthur's half-sister 16-26). For Busby, Auberon's history 'anchors poem classical Arthurian traditions well early Austro-Hungarian empire Byzantium',14 meaning belongs all three matieres which author Jehan Bodel divided literature: one same time, matiere Bretagne, mauere France, Rome.x15None these varying appellations, however, addresses question why useful stick generic on all, might exist evolve. Often evolution cast negative light: epics are degraded degenerates.16 Overall, tended restrictive concept, marking membership exclusion texts from particular 'clubs' (they're either out). Even label simply reifies two whose mixing denotes. My thinking last point draws inspiration Derrida 's 'La Loi du genre',17 I shall take my cue him, particularly idea law, code regulating gender, class, relations text's ideological system, defining relationship between text, author, reader. Yet whilst previous provide pattern followed, can, Derrida, just ignored flouted. Thus law disobeyed much obeyed. do adopt model, their participation genre, rather than belonging In words:un texte ne saurait appartenir aucun Tout participe d'un ou plusieurs genres, il y toujours et des mais cette n'est jamais une appartenance. …
Medium Aevum