MEDIEVAL vs. MODERN

By: Emily Ladig

COURTSHIP

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http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/TECH/social.media/11/19/facebook.modern.romance.mashable/t1larg.teens.computer.jpg

Private: Medieval Courtship In Medieval times, courtship was something

that usually took place between the privacy of two lovers, and was not made a public spectacle.

“Courtly lovers were pledged to strict secrecy. The foundation for their affair was that the rest of the world (except for a few confidantes or go-betweens) was excluded. In effect, the lovers composed a universe unto themselves--a special world with its own rules, codes, and commandments.” http://condor.depaul.edu/dsimpson/tlove/courtlylove.html>.

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Public: Modern CourtshipNowadays, relationships are made more public

with social media sites like Facebook. Couples want their relationship status to be seen by other people instead of keeping their love private.

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http://www.thelostogle.com/2011/04/27/gentle-readers-ibaka-wicca-and-webcams/facebook-relationship-status/http://www.thelostogle.com/2011/

04/27/gentle-readers-ibaka-wicca-and-webcams/facebook-relationship-status/

Public: Modern CourtshipThe Bachelorette and Bachelor series is based

on courtship and is publicly viewed by millions as a form of entertainment.

The Bachelor

The Bachelorettehttp://www.teenjury.com/the-bachelor-sued-for-racial-discrimination/

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Public Display of Affection: Modern Courtship

Showing affection used to be considered a private act, but now, people don’t think twice about doing it in public.

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Styles of Courtship: Medieval “The emergence of chivalry during the Middle

Ages brought forth the courtly practice of wooing one's intended with love poems, music and acts of bravery to prove one's desirability as a mate.”http://www.ehow.com/about_4587310_history-courtship.html>.

“Suitors wooed their intended with serenades and flowery poetry, following the lead of lovelorn characters on stage and in verse.” http://www.ehow.com/about_4587310_history-courtship.html>.

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Styles of Courtship: Modern

Lovers show their interest in each other nowadays by friending each other on Facebook, asking each other on dates, and through text messaging.

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Communication: Medieval

Lovers in the Middle Ages primarily communicated in person, or through written letters and it was more of a personal ordeal.

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Communication: Modern Today, lovers communicate through texting, talking on the

phone, and through social media sites.

Many people believe that texting does not compare to what it is like to hold a conversation with someone in person.

“Suitors now contact each other in an instantaneous, frictionless sphere separated from larger social institutions and commitments.”

“Today’s technology seems to threaten the sort of recurring and stable reciprocity that is the building block of trust.”

Brooks, David. "Cellphones, Texts and Lovers." The New York Times. N.p., 3 Nov. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.

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Male Courted Female: Medieval Courtship In Medieval courtship, men were the ones who

always wooed the women, and never the other way around.

“Thus, just as a vassal was expected to honor and serve his lord, so a lover was expected to serve his lady, to obey her commands, and to gratify her merest whims.”

The lady “expected to be served and wooed, minutely and at great length.”

"The Middle Ages and Courtly Love." The Middle Ages and Courtly Love. N.p., 17 Aug. 2000. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/love.html>.

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Male Courts Female, Female Courts Male: Modern Courtship

In our society, it is not unusual for a woman to ask a man out.

SURVEY: how many girls would ask out a boy?

In a survey of 32 girls…

18 14 Said YES, they would Said NO, they would

ask out a boy. not ask out a boy.

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Music/Poetry: Medieval Courtship Men used poetry and music

to win over women.

The poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” is aimed at boys sleeping with girls.

This poem is written to the virgins (young girls) of the world.

Herrick is implying that the virgins should get married while they are still young, beautiful and capable of having children.

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Music: Modern Courtship

Popular music heard on the radio today talks about guys trying to “get with girls” in crude or even dirty ways.

Ex: “Scream” By: Usher, talks about seeing a girl, and wanting to get with her and do sexual things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnjqNHB1bKw

A portion of Usher’s “Scream” lyrics

I see you over there so hypnotic,Thinkin' 'bout what I'd do to that body,I'll getchu like ooh baby baby, ooh baby babyA-ooh baby baby, ooh baby babyGot no drink in my hand, but I'm wastedGettin' drunk off the thought of you nakedI'll getchu like ooh baby baby, ooh baby babyA-ooh baby baby, ooh baby babyAnd I've tried to fight it, to fight itBut you're so magnetic, magneticGot one life, just live it, just live itNow relax and get on your back

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Music: Modern Courtship

Also, like poetry in the Middle Ages, modern day rock stars write songs about women to woo them.

John Mayer’s song “Edge of Desire” is one example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZcd9ZuvqE

John Mayer’s song is more poetic and lyrical, but is still a modern example about a singer/songwriter wanting to be with a woman.

A Portion of John Mayer’s “Edge of Desire” LyricsDon't say a word, just come over and lie here with me'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I seeI want you so bad, I'll go back on the things I believeThere I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me

So young and full of runningAll the way to the edge of desireSteady my breathing, silently screamingI have to have you now

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Sex: Medieval Times

Sex, and stories about sex were seen as funny, or silly during the Middle Ages.

In “The Millers Tale”, the characters saw sex as humorous content and talked about it in their stories because it was funny and entertaining.

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Sex: Modern Times

In our society today, sex is not seen as humorous. It can be seen as a status symbol or even similar to a contest sometimes.

People are judged on who they have sex with, the amount of people they have sex with and many other factors.

Sex is such a common topic today that tabloids even have articles about sex advice for women and men.

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Behavior

Medieval Times

When men were in love, they would act sickly, and seem weak when around the woman.

Lovesickness

Modern Times

Today, when men are in love they become cocky, and arrogant.

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Courtship in the 20th Century

Here is a look at dating in the 80’s and 90’s from the perspective of my parents!

“It was very formal back then. You would be asked out either by note, on the phone, or face to face.”

“You would always have your friends check out the situation to see if the girl/guy liked you back, so that you wouldn’t embarrass yourself.”

“You had to wait for the phone call and worry if you would be by the phone. Basically you would sit by the phone and wait. If your parents answered the phone, it was pretty embarrassing.”

“Dates were very formal. Boys would go to the girls house, meet the parents, be drilled by the father and mother. They would always ask where they were going and what time the girl would be home.”

“A typical date would usually consist of dinner and a movie.”

Petrarch: LOVE Italian scholar and poet

Was famous for poetry and wrote how to woo

Thought that true love should be distant

Said that the idea of love is always bigger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrarch

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Compared to Medieval times, the styles of love and courtship today have been changed drastically and have evolved to fit our modern society.

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