Chanson d'aventure

The chanson d'aventure ([ʃɑ̃sɔ̃ davɑ̃tyʁ], English: song of adventure) is a genre of medieval poetry originating in France, but which had a substantial influence on poetry in Middle English.

Structure

The chanson d'aventure (plural chansons d'aventure) is essentially a framing device, where the singer (or poet) wanders into a wild or rural setting and has a chance encounter, usually in the form of a dialogue; it originates in Old French lyrics usually with an erotic or amorous theme.^[1] Sometimes, the chanson may focus on an overheard dialogue, or lover's complaint. In either way, the chief feature is that of a chance encounter. It likely evolved from two earlier chanson subtypes, the chanson dramatique and the chanson pastourelle.^[2]

Poets in Middle English adopted the trope for themes other than love, often making the debate's focus a moral or devotional one. The genre shares many common features with the dream vision, although with the important distinction that the poet does not fall asleep.

See also

• Chanson de geste
• Medieval debate poetry

References

1. Strohm, P. Middle English, Oxford: OUP, 2007, p.227-8
2. Davidoff, J. M. Beginning Well: Framing Fictions in Late Middle English Poetry, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1988, p.36