The Poetry of Franois Villon Text and Context [Paperback]

Taylor explores the work of Fran?ois Villon and his relationship to his predecessors and contemporaries.This book casts new light on the life and work of François Villon, one of the most famous but least understood poets of the later Middle Ages. Traditionally Villon has been viewed by scholars as an alienated outsider in his own time, whose work was in many respects derivative and commonplace. Jane Taylor instead points to the flair and originality of Villon's poetry, and the urgency and brilliance of his poetic dialogue with his predecessors and contemporaries.This book casts new light on the life and work of François Villon, one of the most famous but least understood poets of the later Middle Ages. Traditionally Villon has been viewed by scholars as an alienated outsider in his own time, whose work was in many respects derivative and commonplace. Jane Taylor instead points to the flair and originality of Villon's poetry, and the urgency and brilliance of his poetic dialogue with his predecessors and contemporaries.This book casts new light on the life and work of François Villon, one of the most famous but least understood poets of the later Middle Ages. Traditionally Villon has been viewed by scholars as an alienated outsider in his own time, whose work was in many respects derivative and commonplace. Jane Taylor instead points to the flair and originality of Villon's poetry, and the urgency and brilliance of his poetic dialogue with his predecessors and contemporaries.Preface; Introduction; 1. Painted eloquence and serious games; 2. 'Dancing in a maske': constructing identity in the Testament; 3. Spoken by men of old: the Ballades du temps jadis; 4. Love well weighed up: Villon's Belle H?aulmiere; 5. Keenness of observation: Les contredictz de Franc Gontier; 6. The name of a man: La Ballade de la Grosse Margot; 7. Pomegranates in flower: Ballade pour Robert d'Estouteville; Conclusion; Too many Villons; Notes; Bibliography; Index. ...l³‡