Weaving Narrative: Clothing in Twelfth-Century French Romance
Monica L. Wright
Enide’s tattered dress and Erec’s fabulous coronation robe; Yvain’s nudity in the forest, which prevents maidens who know him well clothed from identifying him; Lanval’s fairy-lady parading about Arthurian court, scantily dressed, for all to observe: just why is clothing so important twelfth-century French romance? This interdisciplinary book explores how writers of this era used as a signifier with multiple meanings many narrative purposes. Clothing figured prominently France, where exotic fabrics furs came define social elite. Monica Wright shows that representations are not mere embellishments text; they help form textual weave romances appear. these descriptions constructed, what mean, becomes an active part romance composition—the ways use it develop elaborate character, advance or stall plot, structure generally.
Project Muse (Johns Hopkins University)