Book of Good Love (Libro de buen amor) - DAY ONE

Please answer at least two questions or come up with your own topics and analyses for discussion.

1. Prologues are always important in medieval literature. Here we have two, one in verse and one in prose. Examine them both and write about what you think are the main themes here. How do these themes relate to the text as a whole (or at least what you have read for today)?

2. The author properly "begins" the text with the fable of the Greeks and Romans. Apart from the comedy (which I hope you enjoy), there is a serious message here concerning reading, interpretation (and more). How do you 'read' this fable?

3. What is the portrayal of Love (Don Amor) in this text (as opposed to or in conjunction with what we saw in the poetry we have studied)? Why do you think this is the case? (If you want, do a "close reading" of one of the fables presented in the "tirade against love" to help in your answer.)

4. Focus on the "code of love" presented by Love to the Archpriest - specifically upon the woman he verbally paints here. What do you make of the fact that the Archpriest states that such a woman does not exist and yet he will continue to compose poetry? (Or, how might desire, the image, and poetic language / expression be connected?)

5. Why do you think there is such an emphasis upon fables in the text? What does a fable do? How does one have to read a fable? How might the use of fables comment upon the text as a whole (how much they get right to what the author is trying to do here)? Choose one or more fables to illustrate your point.