Both celebrate a form of Christian spiritualism in the worldly language and images of exuberant erotic innuendo. Both virtuosi deploy hyperbole, as lovers always have. Despite, or perhaps because, their ardent friendship will remain long-distance only, their postal sex, their virtual consummation expresses sexual fervor more extravagantly. Conclusions The jesting tone of Constantia and Baudri in their love poems creates a poetic space, a verbal arena, in which they enjoy and manipulate their linguistic talents and fantasy attachments. Think of singers and musicians today jamming in their garages with different instruments, different volumes, different personalities for the public.
Superior craft can gain admiration.
The rules of engagement forbid bodily contact. Anguish can arise from defeat on the screen or screed, but adroit gaming tactics give both players tremendous pleasure and avoid serious emotional trauma. Constantia imitates and mocks her male mentor and sometime master. In the key of doting submissiveness, she challenges his claim to superior erudition, versification, and spiritualized sexual passion. Deference is a device of the disempowered to gain a hearing.