An Introduction To The Study Of Medieval Latin Versification Introduction à L'étude De La Versification Latine Médiévale. English Project Muse Upcc Books

Translated by Grant C. Roti and Jacqueline de La Chapelle Skubly. Edited with an introduction by Jan Ziolkowski. Published originally as "Introduction à l’étude de la versification latine médiévale" in 1958 by Almqvist & Wiksell, Stockholm. Dag Norberg's analysis and interpretation of medieval Latin versification, which was published in French in 1958 and remains the standard work on the subject, appears in English with a detailed, scholarly introduction by Jan Ziolkowski that reviews developments since its initial publication. Norberg examines various themes of medieval Latin metrics and proposes his own empirical solutions. His interpretation attempts to bring much-needed clarification to a controversial and misunderstood subject. In the first four chapters of the book, Norberg analyses the sometimes perplexing technical elements of medieval Latin metrics: prosody; accentuation; synaeresis; diaresis; prosthesis; elision; acrostics; assonance; rhyme; and alliteration. He then turns to some of the metrical devices of the poetry: acrostics and 'carmina figurata' (shaped songs). Two chapters unravel the problems of quantitative and rhythmic verses. Two chapters are devoted to the fractious disputes among scholars over rhythmic verses, which are based on the stress accents of the words. Norberg evaluates the various theories and judiciously examines this area of Latin scholarship. The final two chapters discuss the relationship between music and poetry, considering such questions as, which was written first, the melody or the words? How can we tell? What is the origin of rhythmic poetry? Beginning with the earliest hymns of Augustine and Ambrose, he considers syllabic melodies and then the development of non-syllabic melodies. In the last chapter Norberg deals with the "poetry in liturgical prose" of the Christian religious service, a "poetry" borrowed from the Bible or based on biblical models. Dag Norberg's analysis and interpretation of Medieval Latin versification, which was published in French in 1958 and remains the standard work on the subject, appears here for the first time in English with a detailed, scholarly introduction by Jan Ziolkowski that reviews the developments of the past fifty years. Norberg examines various theories of Medieval Latin metrics and proposes his own insightful empirical solutions. His interpretation brings much needed clarification to a controversial and misunderstood subject. In the first four chapters of the book, Norberg analyzes the sometimes perplexing technical elements of Medieval Latin prosody, accentuation, synaeresis, diaeresis, prosthesis, elision, hiatus, assonance, rime, and alliteration. He then turns to some of the metrical devices of the acrostics, carmina figurata (shaped songs), and the like. Two chapters unravel the problems of quantitative and rhythmic verses. Two chapters are devoted to the fractious disputes among scholars over rhythmic verses, which are based on the stress accents of the words. Norberg evaluates the various theories and judiciously examines this area of Latin scholarship. The final two chapters discuss the relationship between music and poetry, considering such questions as, which was written first, the melody or the words? How can we tell? What is the origin of rhythmic poetry? Beginning with the earliest hymns of Augustine and Ambrose, he considers syllabic melodies and then the development of non-syllabic melodies. In the last chapter Norberg deals with the "poetry in liturgical prose" of the Christian religious service, a "poetry" borrowed from the Bible or based on Biblical models. "A magnificent book. . . . Norberg was one of the outstanding linguists of his generation. This book not only is the first (and often the last) aid one needs for the very complex subject of Latin versification, but also provides important insights into other aspects of medieval poetics and aesthetics."Prof. Janet M. Martin, Princeton University "Norberg is still the text on medieval prosody."Prof. Maura Lafferty, University of North Carolina "A classic work, by far the best work of its kind, and a book that every medieval Latinist needs to consult at some point."Prof. Michael Lapidge, University of Notre Dame Grant C. Roti is Professor of English and Jacqueline de La Chapelle Skubly is Professor Emeritus of French, both at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jan Ziolkowski is Professor of Medieval Latin at Harvard University. "The translators are to be praised for their work, as is Jan Ziolkowski for his excellent introduction and, one gathers, other sorts of aids throughout this project's completion. This fine, sturdy, affordable book makes available to a much wider and mainly student audience an indispensable work that has now gained a new and well-justified lease on life. Its appearance will make teaching medieval Latin poetry that much easier; the volume will also make accessible to a much wider audience the intricacies-the beauties-of an aspect of medieval Latin studies too often maligned when it is not ignored. If this translation remedies that disfavor and neglect, it will have done enough and more than enough for its prized topic."-Joseph Pucci, New England Classical Journal An Introduction to Norberg's "Introduction" by Jan Ziolkowski ix Translators' Preface xxi Foreword to the French Edition xxiii 1. Prosody and Accentuation 1 2. Synaeresis, Diaeresis, Syncope, Prosthesis, Elision, and Hiatus 23 3. Assonance, Rhyme, and Alliteration 31 4. Acrostics, "Carmina Figurata", and Other Poetic Devices 48 5. Metrical Versification 58 6. The Beginnings of Rhythmic Versification: Rhythmic Versification and Metrical Poetry 81 7. Rhythmic Versification and Music 130 8. Sequences, Tropes, Motets, Rondeaux 156 9. Conclusion 180 Glossary of Terms 187 Bibliography 191 Index of Words 199 Index of Names 202 Index of Anonymous Texts 206 General Prosodic Index 209 Rhythmic Verses 212 Rhythmic Strophes 216 Prosody And Accentuation -- Synaeresis, Diaeresis, Syncope, Prosthesis, Elision, And Hiatus -- Assonance, Rhyme, And Alliteration -- Acrostics, Carmina Figurata, And Other Poetic Devices -- Metrical Versification -- The Beginning Of Rhythmic Versification -- Rhythmic Versification And Metrical -- Poetry -- Rhythmic Versification And Music -- Sequences, Tropes, Motets, Rondeaux. By Dag Norberg ; Translated By Grant C. Roti And Jacqueline De La Chapelle Skubly ; Edited And With An Introduction By Jan Ziolkowski. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 191-198) And Indexes.