The Art of Courtly Love

The Sixth Dialogue is between a man of the higher nobility and a middle-class woman. Andreas says that the higher nobleman may employ the same manner of speech as the simple nobleman or use the ensuing dialogue.

The man praises the woman’s beauty and character and tells her that her love is all he wants or needs, and he will die without it. The woman expresses pleasure at the man’s love but wonders if his love for her is a product of some deficiency in him since she is of a lower social class than he is. The man counters that Love’s court does not differentiate among social ranks and seeks to fill its halls with those of every class. He asserts that the only obstacle to their love is if she perceives him lacking character. She notes that a higher nobleman’s love may make her a subject of gossip; further, higher noblemen are known to be unfaithful to women of lower ranks. The man reiterates that she should judge him by his own deeds and character so that her decision does not injure him. She counters that she has a right to accept or reject his love without being accused of inuring him.