The Carmina Burana {Songs from Benediktbeuern} is the largest and most important medieval European poetic anthology. Found at the Benedictine monastery of Benediktbeuern about 50km south of Munich, it was probably written about 1230 in South Tyrol. It has been preserved as MS. Bavarian State Library, Munich, clm 4660/4660a.
The Carmina Burana consists mainly of accentual, rhyming Latin verse. It also includes some German verse (about 7% of the verses) and a Latin-French macaronic poem.
The Carmina Burana represents the true vibrancy and diversity of medieval European culture. It encompasses moral-satirical verse, love poems, drinking poems, and religious plays. The love poems show medieval men’s ardent, fleshly love for women and represent men’s great suffering in lovesickness. These poems embrace God’s love in the flesh and relish the divine promise of seminal fruitfulness.
If his beloved would offer healing, a lovesick medieval man promised to rise like a cedar of Lebanon, a tree renowned for its size, strength, and beauty. … Read the post lovesick medieval man would rise like a cedar of Lebanon
Why is the world sinking? Medieval thinkers on the state of the world rightly focused on love and the commercialization of sex. … Read the post why the world is sinking: a medieval view
Many fewer men than women are students in colleges. Making colleges more loving environments for men would foster gender equality. … Read the post imagine more men students happily attending college
“Iam vernali tempore” in the Carmina Burana is an extraordinary poem of spring. It redeems snakes and penises in love with the phoenix rising. … Read the post snakes in the lush spring of love
Medieval men suffering from lovesickness were often denied healthcare or unable to pay the expense. Love of God was a superior way. … Read the post medieval healthcare for men too expensive