f “Spring Song and Narrative Organization in the Medieval Alexander Legend”

In this article I examine seasonal and landscape descriptions which head episodes (‘lyrics’) in the Libro de Alexandre and Kyng Alisaunder, with reference to their sources: the Alexandreis, the Roman d’Alexandre, and the Roman de toute chevalerie. I argue that some short descriptions present in the sources perform thematic, narrative, and organizational functions. More elaborate lyrics in Kyng Alisaunder and the Libro de Alexandre are found to have a similar range of functions. The practice of using descriptive material with thematic or organizational effect is commented upon by glossators of the Alexandreis, and is a recommended compositional practice. Consequently seasonal lyrics should not be dismissed as simply commonplace but should be recognized as part of the creative process of the poet’s ordinatio et dispositio of his material, and thus be subject to analysis.