The Art of Courtly Love

In the Author’s Preface, Andreas addresses Walter, who has fallen in love and asked Andreas for advice. His affection for Walter compels Andreas to help him. He acknowledges that a man in love can think of nothing but his beloved. However, Andreas believes that teaching “the art of love” will demonstrate why “it does not seem expedient” for a “prudent man” to engage in love and will provoke Walter to “be more cautious” (27) about love.

Andreas explains that he will discuss “what love is, whence it gets its name, what the effect of love is, between what persons love may exist, how it may be acquired, retained, increased, decreased, and ended” (28). In addition, Andreas will address how to know if one’s love is returned and what to do if one’s lover is unfaithful. 

Andreas addresses “what love is” (28). Andreas defines it as being consumed with thoughts of the opposite sex, which leads to suffering, since the lover becomes overwhelmed with fears. 

Andreas maintains that love can only exist “between persons of opposite sexes” since lovers of the same sex are unable to practice “the acts natural to” (30) love. Neither poverty nor avarice can coexist with love.