Raimbaut d'Orange and the Old Provencal Gap: A Re-examination. | CU Experts

Overview

The use of the term +gap= to denote a separate genre of troubadour poetry is critically misleading. A close examination of the so-called +gaps= of Raimbaut d'Orange reveals that none is a boast in the generally accepted sense. Rather, this group of poems displays a wide variety of approaches to themes that are essentially courtly. The boasting that occurs is done on behalf of the ideal lady, with the poet striking the pose of courtly humility. For Raimbaut, poetic creation is most successful when bathed in the lady's favor. He demonstrates that when that favor is withdrawn, the structure and meaning of a poem become chaotic. Though he sometimes satirizes the courtly ideal, he finds his securest esthetic grounding in the inspiration that flows from love.