PhD thesisMedieval traditional lyrics can be distinguished from learned poetry by formal and thematic aspects. Symbolism, feminine voice, and intertextuality have been revealed as three defining aspects of these songs. Symbols occurring in this poetry are constant, collective, and archaic. They represent nature and they are associated with human sexuality, permeating with eroticism other motifs and actions appearing in the songs. Their archaism suggests a remote origin. The preservation of medieval traditional songs in their modem counterparts has been demonstrated by scholars in their textual similarities. However, there have not so far been systematic comparative studies that probe the relationship of old and modern traditional lyrics in their symbolic aspect. A systematic comparative and diachronic study of symbols occurring in traditional lyrics is needed. The aim of this thesis is to analyse and confirm the relationship between Hispanic medieval traditional lyrics and their contemporary counterparts by studying the most relevant erotic symbols and motifs from the Middle Ages until now, in order to show the process of their preservation, change, or loss. I shall stress the gender of the voice of the songs and the connections between these lyrics and their contemporary European counterparts, so as to understand Hispanic and Portuguese traditional lyrics within their context. Folksong intertextuality made necessary an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on literature, folklore, anthropology, and psychology. This apparently heterogeneous perspective is needed to comprehend the particularities of each song in its context
