(#6. A) According to The Art of Courtly Love, love is “a certain inborn suffering derived from the sight of and excessive meditation upon the beauty of the opposite sex.” But when asked what is love? Men and woman stumble to find the words to this question. I think it is because we tend to look for words that everyone can relate to. But maybe, love can’t be descried in a straightforward definition. Maybe, love isn’t as simple as black or white or as day and night. Maybe, to every person love is different. Just maybe, Love shouldn’t be regulated by rules. I think one’s love for another is unique. The way one feels, who they feel it for and how they express it is different and I like that about love. But if we follow rules on how to love someone from a book would we all love the same? Would love still be unique? …I doubt it.
But, even if I did believe love can be simply defined and regulated by rules I still wouldn’t think courtly love is a behavioral ideal that you should try to follow when you love someone. I believe some of the rules are a little extreme and outdated if we were to follow them in the twenty-first century.
For instance, in chapter 3: the writer states, “For when he thinks deeply of his beloved the sight of any woman seems to his mind rough and rude.” The idea of finding only one person in the world attractive is almost impossible. And the fact that if you find someone else attractive means you no longer love your love one is overdramatic. I think it is possible to love someone and find someone else attractive. In chapter 5: what persons are fit for love he opens with, “We must now see what persons are fit to bear the arms of love.” Anyone can experience love. Who is he to determine who can experience love or can not? He also tells readers a woman must change her last name to his. Now a days woman rarely change their last names and this action doesn’t necessarily mean you love your partner anymore then you do. But what also makes me object to this piece is his words in book two. He says a man should keep his relationship hidden; kept secret. But by keeping your relationship secret it may seem like you are ashamed of it.
Reading this I felt the author wasn’t thinking about how one should love another but more of how one should treat their partner in the society he lived in at the time.He sets rules rather then advice and love is one thing that shouldn't be based on rules, boarders, and regulations. Therefore, if one wanted to know what to do when they love someone courtly love wouldn’t be the ideal text to read.