Branch VII [of Le Roman de Renart] tells the story of the kite confessor, Hubert, who is eventually eaten by Renart. In this story Renart and Hubert mock the clergy in turn while mocking morality. They praise thieves, criminals, debauchees, sodomites, etc., and ridicule the clergy. Scattered allusions and obscenities abound. However, the plan and language of this branch would be more suited to a more serious, and even more solemn, content. One could say that it is a parodic use of the language of religion or of the language of the epic and the novel. No doubt the comedy here depends somewhat on the discord between the content and the language, and we will examine this discord from three points of view. - [Author]

Language: French

0925-4757; DOI: 10.1075/rein.5.07har