French Literature Reviews - 2026

Valentine Eugène, Le Roman de Renart et les péchés de langue
Medieval and Renaissance Studies

In Le Roman de Renart et les péchés de langue, Valentine Eugène examines the intersection between theological and moral discourse (1190–1260) concerning linguistic transgressions (lies, perjury, blasphemy, insults, etc.) and literary discourse in Old French (langue d’oïl). By exploring how these transgressions permeate the Roman de Renart (1185–1250), this study pursues a twofold objective: to offer a fresh perspective on speech within these tales and to foster a broader reflection on the representation of historically situated linguistic and sociolinguistic contexts. Literary analysis here continually engages with issues of diachrony, linguistics, lexicology, stylistics, ethics, and theology. A central thread running through the study is how the fox's famous adventures reflect (in a specular manner) and reflect on a century marked by intense intellectual output concerning verbal deviance.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

General Introduction

Part One: Mapping Sins of the Tongue

Introduction to Part One

Chapter 1. Laughter

Introduction

Derision

Definition and Conception of Derision in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Derision in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Derision in the Roman de Renart

Obscenity

Definition and Conception of Obscenity in Normative Sources

Frequency of Obscenity in the Roman de Renart

Conclusion

Chapter II. Truth

Introduction

Lying

Definition and Conception of Lying in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Lying in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Lying in the Roman de Renart

Perjury

Definition and Conception of Perjury in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Perjury in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Perjury in the Roman de Renart

Flattery

Definition and Conception of Flattery in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Flattery in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Flattery in the Roman de Renart

Backbiting

Definition and Conception of Backbiting in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Backbiting in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Backbiting in the Roman de Renart

Conclusion

Chapter III. Violence

Introduction

Verbal Abuse and Quarrels

Definition and Conception of Verbal Quarrels in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Verbal Quarrels in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Verbal Quarrels in the Roman de Renart

Definition and Conception of Verbal Insults in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Verbal Insults in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Verbal Insults in the Roman de Renart

Cursing

Definition and Conception of Cursing in Normative Sources

Definition and Conception of Cursing in the Roman de Renart

Frequency of Cursing in the Roman de Renart

Blasphemy

Definition and Conception of Blasphemy in Normative Sources

Frequency of Blasphemous Oaths in the Roman de Renart

Conclusion

Conclusion to Part One. Renardian Dialogues: A Hotbed of Sinful Expressions with Often Indiscernible Identities

Part Two: Speech Within the Text. Roles and Functions of Sins of the Tongue

Introduction to Part Two

Chapter IV. Sins of the Tongue in the Narrative Arc

Introduction

Sins of the Tongue as Plot Catalysts

The Disruptive Force of Curses

Verbal Insults, Derision, and Backbiting as Triggers for "Quests for Justice" (QJ1)

Rash Promissory Oaths and Indiscriminate Promissory Oaths as Triggers for "Quests for Justice" (QJ3)

The Resolutive Force of Offenses Against the Truth

Offenses Against the Truth and the Resolution of "Quests for Food"

Lying and the Resolution of Quests for Justice

Offenses Against the Truth and the Resolution of Perilous Situations

Conclusion

Chapter V. The Roman de Renart: A Mirror of Reality? Figurative and Mimetic Functions of Sins of the Tongue

Introduction

From Exempla Collections to the Roman de Renart: The Migration of Tropes

Lawyers and Lying

Peasants and Perjury

Women and Insults

Women and Verbal Dissimulation

Laypeople and the Habit of Swearing

The Mimesis of Orality and the "Character Effect"

Conversational Uses of "Light" and/or "Habitual" Oaths (Formulas with "par")

The Expressive Function of Curses, Blasphemous Oaths, and Unjust Promissory Oaths

Conclusion

Conclusion to Part Two. Rethinking the World of Renart

Part Three. The Speech of the Text: The Roman de Renart on Three Counts of Guilt

Introduction to Part Three

Chapter VI. The Axiological Instability of the Roman de Renart Regarding Linguistic Ethics

Introduction

Implicit Promotion of Verbal Offenses: The Threat of Scandal

Open Condemnation of Sins of the Tongue

Condemnation of Verbal Insults and Backbiting

Condemnation of Lying

Condemnation of Perjury

Conclusion

Chapter VII. Targets and Mechanisms of Church Derisio

Introduction

Multifaceted Mockery of the Clergy

Unseemly Language

Lust

Avarice and Gluttony

Lack of Charity

Ignorance

Mockery of Sacraments and Religious Services

The Identity of Officiants

Subversion of Liturgical and Sacramental Signs and Structures

Perversion of the Purpose of Sacraments and Liturgical Acts

Mocking the Forms of Piety and Devotion Among Common Folk

Sacred Objects: Relics, Crosses, and Hosts

Prayers and Pilgrimages

Conclusion

Chapter VIII. A Blasphemous Image of God and His Relationship with Man

Introduction

Names of God, Names of Saints, Context and Cotext

Designations of God and the Saints

Names of God and the Saints in Context: Instances of Insolence

The Place and Role of God in Driving the Action: Intentionally "Undecided" Invisible Agency

The "Call for Intervention" Schema

The "Thanksgiving" Schema

God's "Undecided" Agency as a Source of Blasphemous Readings

Conclusion

Conclusion to Part Three. Assumed Transgression, Measured Subversion

General Conclusion. Sins of the Tongue in the Roman de Renart: Purpose and Consequences

Appendix 1. Manuscript Tradition of the Roman de Renart

Appendix 2. Concordance of the Roman de Renart

Appendices 3 through 18 are available free of charge on the Librairie Droz website

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Selected Bibliography

Index of Ancient and Medieval Latin Texts

Index of Medieval Vernacular Texts

During the medieval period, theological and moral treatises frequently addressed linguistic transgressions such as lying, perjury, blasphemy, and insults within normative sources. Old French literature often engaged with these moral categories, reflecting contemporary intellectual output concerning verbal deviance. Studies in this field typically examine how vernacular narratives incorporate wider cultural attitudes toward speech, bridging the gap between prescriptive religious texts and secular storytelling traditions of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Readers interested in medieval literary studies and the cultural history of the tongue may find this volume relevant. Valentine Eugène examines the intersection between theological discourse and literary representation in Le Roman de Renart, engaging with issues of diachrony, linguistics, lexicology, stylistics, ethics, and theology to explore speech within these tales.