A lover's Prize

World Literature

Response 6 Vol. B: Medieval Lyrics

A lover’s Prize

In this section Beatrice lyrics try to define what’s the lover’s prize is.  There are two meanings to a lover’s prize.  The first is the commitment that a man can make to the true love of his life.  Beatrice does not even have this assurance in her life and is distressed.  The second is the betrayal that can destroy one’s life.  It is a prize that can destroy a person and can never be recovered.  Beatrice has lost everything but yet is determined to prove her love with all her deeds.  She wants to commit to him and replace her husband. How it changes your feelings and your passion cannot be explained.  Once a love is lost it can destroys a person’s heart.  Beatrice dearly loved this man and gave him her heart.  What pain she must feel to be denied after her extreme commitment to her knight.  She gave all of herself without prejudice.  And yet the knight felt no urgency to fix their relationship.  She longed for her lover to take the place of her husband.  That would never come to pass.  Beatrice explains that she did not leave her husband and still does not love him.  This is also a betrayal.  Love hurts.   

Dia, Beatrice. "A Lover's Prize." The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Vol. B. 3rd ed. Ed. Martin Puchner. New York: Norton, 2012. Print. 339

Responsory for the Virgin

World Literature
Response 5 Vol. B: Medieval Lyrics

Responsory for the virgin
Hildegard of Bingen was arguably a polished writer as is demonstrated in her writing the Responsory for the Virgin. The work was written back in the 1100's and refers the Virgin Mary and her communication with the supernal father (God).  Hildegard was a very talented nun who founded two monasteries and worked with popes and clerics around the country. Her talents were varied and included writing music, plays, and religious poems. Hildegard worked out her life as a servant to God and kept her virginity throughout her life. The songs written by Hildegard were in praise of the Lord and became popular with the religious community. She put her faith in God’s hands and remained chaste her entire life. She was eventually elected head of the religious community in Bingen for her service. She was later granted sainthood and was named Saint Hildegard.

In the writing the Responsory for the virgin she is delicate in her delivery of a critical event in history. The beautiful body of the virgin Mary is described as a maiden's splendor and God as the supernal father.  She goes on the describe the seed of God as a bright rose within the maiden.  These words are very delicate in describing the event between God and the virgin Mary.  The writing goes on to explain Gods acceptance of Mary’s beauty and mortal flesh.  It also assures the reader that Mary was chaste before a flower sprang from her womb.  She goes on to describe the birth of Jesus to be as “sweet as the buds of spring”.  She also states that the son of God opened paradise.

Bingen, Hildegard. "Responsory of the Virgin." The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Vol. B. 3rd ed. Ed. Martin Puchner. New York: Norton, 2012. Print. 330