Jaufre: An Occitan Arthurian Romance

by Ross Gilbert Arthur

This translation, first published in 1992, presents one of the most memorable medieval ballads, largely because it contains a number of surprises and falsified expectations.
Jaufre, the hero, arrives at the court of King Arthur with a total and naive faith in the King and his ability to effect a total transformation in his followers by inducting them into the order of knighthood. As his quest proceeds, he learns the mistake in his idealised view of chivalry and his uncompromising view of pure justice, untempered by mercy. By charting the choices Jaufre makes in military and amorous encounters and the effectiveness of his responses to social trials and temptations, the audience discerns the route to independent adulthood, prestige and virtue, as the poet conceives of them. This fascinating reissue will be of particular value to students and academics researching the concepts typically explored within medieval ballads and romances."

Genres: Arthurian

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1200

Reviews

[Carolina Romaní · Rating 5 out of 5]

El Jaufré és una obra anònima d'autoria catalana, escrita en vers i en occità, datada possiblement a finals del regnat de Jaume I el Conqueridor (1272-1276) i que parteix d’un relat previ que hauria tingut una divulgació oral. 

La traducció i l'estudi que en fa Espadaler és extraordinari i això ens permet llegir un llibre tan antic com El Jaufré, i el puguem entendre a la perfecció en el nostre català modern, i a més, puguem comprendre tots els conceptes i matisos que hi ha dins l'obra. 

En definitiva, sobren les paraules per a valorar una joia literària d'aquestes dimensions i que no ha perdut frescor, ni entreteniment amb els segles. 

[Ivan Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una de les millors novel·les medievals mai escrites. I punt.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read this edition but am listing it because the one I actually read was published in London in 1869, based the first modern French translation of the abridged MS and not listed in the Goodreads. I got it because I liked the Gustav Dore illustrations. I wonder if it is a pirated or unknown edition, because the title page doesn't list the writer of the introduction Most important: it's not "Jauvfre" but "Geoffrey the Knight." Wikipedia doesn't mention any edition/translation with this title. As an abridgement, it's a fun read of a Victorian translation with certain sections left in French (so as not to offend delicate ears?) and there are some odd continuity mistakes, e.g. a damsel goes adventuring with her father and has a baby before her husband (who is not mentioned earlier) is killed. Lots of detailed descriptions of single combat, designed to please the "Hunter after Gore" reader.