Courtly Love: Comparison to Popular Music - Essay Example

Section/# Courtly Love: A Comparison to Popular Music and the Means by Which Modern Interpretations of Love Have Changed from that of Prior Definitions The definition of and cultural interpretation of what is love and what is not love is something that has been in a state of flux since the dawn of human history. Due to the different means that individuals and cultures approach such a broad topic, love has been exemplified in a variety of different ways throughout history. As such, some of these manifestations have been noticeably less traditional than others. However, it will be the focus of this particular essay to discuss the means by which a current pop song exemplifies love as compared to the definition of courtly love provided within the extant literature of the medieval period. In this way, this author intends on drawing a level of perspective with regards to whether or not the core understanding and definition of what is love and what is not is more or less the same as it was several hundred years ago or whether culture and our modern society has greatly evolved and differentiated the means by which the shareholder integrates with love. Furthermore, by drawing such a level of inference, it will be possible for the reader to not only see the impacts of the cultural definition of courtly love on the current era but also the level and extent to which the culture of the Canada and the exhibition of popular music has evolved over time as opposed to the older European definitions of love. Seeking to define all of the levels of courtly love would require a dissertation length response; however, for purposes of this brief analysis, the author will define courtly love to be mainly defined by the following aspects: love is always growing or diminishing, a love divulged does not often last, an easy conquest is not worth anything; a difficult one gives a great value to the lover, the true lover is at all times and continually absorbed with imagining the beloved (Peakman 38). What is interesting about such a level of definition of courtly love is the level and extent to which even stories such as “Tristan and Isolde” do not necessarily ascribe to each and every one of these determinants; likewise, in addition to analyzing the song lyrics in question, those of Jason Mraz “I Won’t Give Up”, this brief analysis will also analyze how the story of Tristan and Isolde also breaks some of the norms of courtly love that have thus far been learned in both the literature and the course lectures. With regards to the first determinant of courtly love in which this analysis will integrate an understanding, Tristan and Isolde are exemplifications of the fact that true love is always growing or diminishing. Naturally, within the bounds of the given story, the author has chosen exemplify their love as continually growing and able to take all challenges that might be thrown its way. As such, the characters of Tristan and Isolde break the second norm of courtly love in the fact that their love is rapidly divulged to one another. The extenuating circumstance for this is of course the fact that they have both been put under the influence of a love potion and are not in complete control of their own emotions. With regards to the third aspect of courtly love, the fact that an easy conquest is ultimately worthless, the story of Tristan and Isolde confirms this due to the fact that many trials and tribulations are necessary for the two to ultimately realize the love that their share to be realized (Whittall 4). Finally, with respect to the last determinant that this brief essay will analyze, Tristan and Isolde exemplify the courtly concept of love in the fact that their thoughts are totally and completely consumed by imaging their beloved. Conversely, with respect to the Jason Mraz song that this brief analysis will seek to integrate with under the rubric of courtly love, the reader can also understand and appreciate the degree to which the courtly definitions of love continue to have a profound impact upon the way in which modern interpretations of true love continue to be manifest within popular culture and society. As such, with regards to the song’s content, the reader can readily note that the first determinant of courtly love is met due to the fact that the emotions of love and affection expressed within are expressed in a way that exemplifies the growth in care and affection regardless of external circumstances. However, a sharp divergence from the courtly interpretation of love is manifest to the listener in the second determinant; i.e. the fact that divulged love rarely lasts. Instead, the singer points to the fact that no matter how long it will take and no matter how many sacrifices are required, he has an ultimate belief that it will somehow last forever. Says the singer in the chorus, “And when you're needing your space/To do some navigating I'll be here patiently waiting/To see what you find” (Mraz – I Won’t Give up on Us). Although it is of course impossible for the listener to make any broad value judgments with regards to how long the love that is described within the song may last, the assumption is that the cultural interpretation of the need to hide and suppress feelings has greatly changed and morphed and as such modern interpretations of love vary starkly from the courtly interpretation. Accordingly, with regards to the third determinant of courtly love, there appears to be strong references to this aspect in the means by which the singer discusses the need to persevere difficulty as a means of realizing a much greater prize in the future. As such, this is the greatest and most powerful of the courtly love concepts that is integrated within the pop song and provides for the most powerful indication that this particular aspect of courtly love continues to integrate with and define the means by which individuals in modern society understand love. Lastly, as one might expect, the song is predicated on the understanding that every waking moment of the singer’s thoughts dwell upon the beloved. Says the singer, “When I look into your eyes/It's like watching the night sky/Or a beautiful sunrise/Well, there's so much they hold” (Mraz – I Won’t Give up on Us). In this way, the singer shows that no matter how love might be interpreted in other means, looking at and beholding his love is something that he cannot get enough of and it ultimately consumes all his waking thoughts. As a function of this level of research, the reader can understand that although certain aspects of the main ways in which society integrates with the understanding courtly love within the current era have changed, the majority of these concepts and understandings have remained the same. This is an especially interesting paradox due to the fact that culture seemingly changes overnight and is influenced by many diverse factors; not the least of which is the different groups of individuals who have chosen to make the Canada their home. However, regardless of the cultural influences that have doubtless changed the culture of the Canada and integrated a broader and more nuanced understanding of a countless variety of facets, the concept of love has changed little from the understanding that existed some several hundred years ago. It is the belief of this author that one of the main determinants for this rather static understanding of love is the fact that loves and its representation within culture and society has long been tacitly and innately understood as something of a holy place that cannot be touched or altered. As such, the level and extent to which societal and cultural changes can effect a change to the interpretation of such an emotion has been necessarily constrained. As has been seen, certain aspects of the understanding of love have doubtless changed; however, as compared to the means by which society as a whole has changed in the intervening centuries, this level of change is nearly infinitesimal. Whether exemplified by Tristan and Isolde or by the most recent pop song that is popular on the radio station at any given point in time, love and its societal and cultural interpretation remains relatively immutable. Works Cited Peakman, Julie. "Poise And Passion In The Middle Ages." History Today 61.8 (2011): 36-41. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. Whittall, Arnold. "Tristan, Isolde, Marke: Romance And Responsibility." Musical Times 150.1907 (2009): 3-18. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. Jason Mraz – I won’t give up When I look into your eyes It's like watching the night sky Or a beautiful sunrise Well, there's so much they hold And just like them old stars I see that you've come so far To be right where you are How old is your soul? Well, I won't give up on us Even if the skies get rough I'm giving you all my love I'm still looking up And when you're needing your space To do some navigating I'll be here patiently waiting To see what you find 'Cause even the stars they burn Some even fall to the earth We've got a lot to learn God knows we're worth it No, I won't give up I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am I won't give up on us Even if the skies get rough I'm giving you all my love I'm still looking up, still looking up. Well, I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up) God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved) We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved) God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it) I won't give up on us Even if the skies get rough I'm giving you all my love I'm still looking up Read More