‘The Return of Martin Guerre’ in Context

Jean de Coras’ Arrest Memorable (1565) – copy of the original text

Natalie Zemon Davis, The Return of Martin Guerre (1983), p. viii: … the film was departing from the historical record…the Basque background of the Guerres was sacrificed; rural Protestantism was ignored; and especially the double game of the wife and the judge’s inner contradictions were softened. vs Robert Finlay in American Historical Review (1988) Michel de Montaigne, Essais, book II, chap.18: ‘dissimulation is one of the most striking characteristics of our age’

Microhistories: Davis, Le Roy Ladurie, Ginzburg 1983 1978 1976

Agricultural labour and conflict

Material culture of Guerre household

Charivari – ritual and popular culture http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zi-UJ9Ouki8#t=1

Michel de Montaigne, Essais, book III, chap. 11: ‘On the Lame’ When I was a boy I saw the account of a trial of a strange event … concerning two men who each passed himself off for the other. What I remember of it (and I remember nothing else) is that it seemed to me at the time that Coras had made the impersonation on the part of the one he deemed guilty to be so miraculous and so far exceeding our own experience and his own as judge, that I found a great deal of boldness in the verdict …

Bertrande proves to the court that she can sign her own name

Peasants and Judges

The Final Judgement

What can the story of Martin Guerre tell us about sixteenth-century culture?

Questions to think about while watching the film ‘Le Retour de Martin Guerre’ What does the story/film tell us about early modern society and communities?:   Living conditions and contact with the outside world? Wedding celebration and ritual? ‘Superstition’ and resort to magic; the role of the priest? Male & female networks/roles; family ties; attitudes to property? Issues concerning identity and literacy? Any other aspects?