Deep Structures in the chansons de geste: Hypotheses for a Taxonomy

Abstract

This paper is presented as a continuation of the discussion, at our last annual (NoÎltide) meeting, of the paper of Kenneth C. Mealy and of Guy R. Mermier,1 a resume of which can be found in the February 1975 issue of Olifant.2 It attempts to work along lines sketched out concerning the medieval French epic by Paul Zumthor, in his alreadyclassic Essai de poÈtique mÈdiÈval3 and by P. Van Nuffel: "ProblËmes de sÈmiotique interprÈtative: L'EpopÈe."4 My debt to both of these scholars5 is massive; but neither can be called to blame for what is to follow.