Abstract

This text sets out to support the theory that all the participants in the early 15th-century debate on Jean de Meung's Roman de la Rose were members of the French Humanist movement. It also proposes that the dispute reveals considerable divisions within that movement, illustrated by the acrimonious tones adopted by both sides. The fortunes of the Roman de la Rose during the period of over 100 years between the time of its completion and the initiation of the debate are outlined, and the text also discusses the general preoccupations of the protagonists in the debate.