LOS MOTZ EL SO - Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Library ...

individual sources and eight additional sources with their own manuscript histories. His poems
appear in almost all the major troubadour chansonniers, with the exceptions of the main body of
manuscript H, manuscript X, and manuscript Z. Several songs inspired contemporary German
poets 21 and slightly later Sicilian poets. 22 The opening line (text and melody) of another song
begins the upper voice of a motet. 23
Folquet’s life and works are described in various contemporary writings, including a vida
and razos for four of his songs. The Monk of Montaudon parodied his accomplishments in the
satire “Pois Peire d’Alvernh’a chantat.” 24 His participation as Bishop of Toulouse in the
Albigensian Crusade secured his place in history, however unfavorably described in the Chanson
de la croisade albigeoise. Dante thought very highly of him, citing “Tan m’abellis l’amoros
pessamens” in De vulgari eloqentia among the examples of excellently constructed canzoni; 25 he
also paraphrased the opening lines of this same song as Arnaut Daniel’s first words in
Purgatorio, 26 and placed Folquet in Paradiso for eternity. 27
21 First discussed in Frank, Trouvères et Minnesängers. Two songs are covered in greater
detail by Van d’Elden, “Diversity Despite Similarity.”
22 Squillacioti, Folchetto di Marsiglia, 99-107.
23 “Tan m’abellis l’amoros pessamens” appears in Old French translation in “Molt
m’abelist l’amoros pensamen/Flos filius eius,” listed as Motet 674 in van der Werf’s Integrated
Directory, 113.
24 Philippson, Mönch von Montaudon, 34.
25 Dante, De vulgari eloquentia 2.6.6; Mengaldo, 44; Shapiro, 78.
26 “Tan m’abellis vostre cortes deman,” Purgatorio 26.140.
27 Paradiso 9.67-142. Folquet is found in the Sphere of Venus, the last sphere within the
shadow of the earth. Dante hints at his literary accomplishments but bases his placement on his
religious activities.
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