Swinburne and Jaufre Rudel

Anthony H. Harrison, Professor of English, North Carolina State University

Note 7 to Chapter 1 of the author's Swinburne's Medievalism, which xx University Press published in a 19xx. It has been included in the Victorian web with the kind permission of the author, who of course retains copyright.

7. M. C. D'Arcy, S.J., The Mind and Heart of Love: Lion and Unicorn, A Study in Eros and Agape (New York,1947), 33 - 34; Cecil Y. Lang, "Swinburne's Lost Love," Publications of the Modern Language Association, LXXIV (1959), 123-30. That Swinburne, in almost devout courtly fashion, idealized women he admired is made clear repeatedly in his letters. For instance, he writes to Edwin Hatch (February 17, 1858) concerning the intense relationship between William Morris and Jane Burden. "The idea of his marrying her is insane. To kiss her feet is the utmost man should dream of doing" (Letters, 1, 18). Swinburne is quite serious here in advocating an attitude of aloof submission and reverence before a female idol. [8/9] Swinburne's, embodied a highly developed mythology of tragic love, and his life emulated the courtly pattern of his art.

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Last modified June 2000

Last modified 8 June 2007