activity of text interpretation, aimed at students in the first year of high school, with questions based on “Trovadorismo – Cantiga de maldizer”
You can download this text comprehension activity in editable Word template, ready to print in PDF and also the activity with answers.
Download this text interpretation exercise at:
SCHOOL: DATE:
PROF: CLASS:
NAME:
We find in the songs of curse an obscene vocabulary composing direct and blunt criticism of people. Love situations between nobles and members of the clergy, contempt for someone and even disqualification of another troubadour are some of the recurring themes worked by this type of song.
Read below an excerpt from “Cantiga Dona Fea”, by Joan Garcia de Guilhade and its translation on the side.
Oh, ugly lady! You went to complain
because I never praise you in my trobar
but now I want to make one sing
in which I will praise you in every way;
and see how I want to praise you;
fea, old and sandia lady!
Oh, ugly lady! if God forgive me!
and because you have so much heart
that I love you in this reason,
I want to praise you all the way;
and you see what the loaçon will be:
fea, old and sandia lady!
Fee lady, I never loved you
in my trobar, but very trobei;
but now I'll do a good singing
in which I will praise you all the way:
and I will tell you how I will praise you;
fea, old and sandia lady!
Gulharde, Don Joan Garcia. Portuguese Literature
Oh ugly lady! you went to complain
'Cause I never praised you in my
but now I want to make a song
in which I will praise you fully;
and see how I want to praise you;
ugly, old, crazy lady!
Oh ugly lady! if God forgive me!
and finally you have such a big heart
that you deserve that I praise you,
I already want to praise you completely;
and you see what the praise will be:
ugly, old, crazy lady!
Ugly lady, I never praised you
in my songs, however I sang a lot;
but now I will make a beautiful song
in which I will praise you fully:
and I say how I will praise you:
ugly, old, crazy lady!
1) Read the above song carefully and answer if it is possible to establish a relationship between the beautiful and perfect Lady of the love songs and the “Ugly Dona” of this 13th century curse song?
A:
2) In the first two verses, it is possible to analyze that “Dona Feia” asked the lyrical self for a song. Point out a reason, that explains, why he had never made a song for her?
A:
3) Establish the rhyme scheme proposed in the song?
A:
4) Was this song praised the way Dona Feia expected? comment.
A:
5) In the songs of curse, the troubadours presented direct and clear satires, often with passages of profanity and the target person of the song was mentioned by name. We currently know that this is not allowed. Because embarrassing people virtually or not, can cause penalty or detention established by law. However, have you ever experienced a situation where you were embarrassed in front of friends or family? What was your attitude? If you were embarrassed today, what would you do? comment.
A:
Per Rosiane Fernandes – Graduated in Letters and graduated in Special Education.
At answers are in the link above the header.
