The forms of expression of the emotions in medieval literature are subject to different social, communicative and aesthetic conditions than those obtaining in the modern age. Using exemplars of the sentimental medieval love romance, the study draws out processes of historical change in the conventions governing the expression of emotions.

Jutta Eming ist Privatdozentin und Oberassistentin für Ältere deutsche Literatur und Sprache an der Freien Universität Berlin.