55 pages 1 hour read

Andreas Capellanus

The Art of Courtly Love

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1186

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book 2, Chapters 1-6 Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 2: “How Love May Be Retained”

Book 2, Chapter 1 Summary: “How Love, When It Has Been Acquired, May Be Kept”

In Chapter 1 of Book 2, Andreas outlines “how love, when it has been acquired, may be kept” (151). Andreas specifies that his advice is for “a lover of either sex” (153). He advises keeping love affairs secret to allow them to develop in their own course. Lovers should also be wise and restrained, help their beloved when necessary, and accede to reasonable requests. Lovers should admit wrongdoing, praise the beloved, and not spend too much time in their beloveds’ company. They should take care to appear appealing but not obsess about appearance. The “solaces of the flesh” can also help retain love when “manner” and “number” (152) do no weary the lover. Andreas advises being generous, courageous, and keeping company with good people. 

Book 2, Chapter 2 Summary: “How A Love, Once Consummated, May Be Increased”

Chapter 2 concerns “how a love, once consummated, may be increased” (153). Lovers should not see each other often. Jealousy is “the nurse of love” (153). Love rarely survives an affair being made public, but if it does, then love will increase. The existence of a rival increases love, as do opposition to the affair by parents and “dwelling with delight” (154) on thoughts of the beloved. The beloved’s manner of speaking and carriage can also increase love.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 55 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools