Love, Life, Chivalry, and More Love: Genres of Troubadour and Trouvère Poetry

Love, Life, Chivalry, and More Love: Genres of Troubadour and Trouvère Poetry

The troubadours and trouvères in France had a very important impact on poetry and the social atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Life at this time was rapidly changing, as was the poetry and music of this time as well. The Troubadours and Trouvères were more than just “traveling musicians who played in medieval castles” (Hawkins). The Troubadours and Trouvères of France were some of the leaders in the poetry of this time. Troubadours and Trouvères wrote poetry that was new and innovative. The Troubadours and the Trouvères were very similar and yet very different in the content of their poems and songs. With lyrics of courtly love, life in general, knightly chivalry, and even politics these poets changed the social atmosphere of there time. They took great care to match the music that they wrote with the poetry that was written.
Troubadours’ and Trouvères’ music was based primarily on t...