Abstract
The notion of literarity, which varies according to historical conditions, is particularly problematized by the work of Louis le Caron, who was both a man of letters and a man of law in the 16th century. Although belles-lettres and the law were quite distinct domains, a number of discursive transfers can be noted that allow us to question the very notion of literature at the time. Louis le Caron's Claire is both a pedagogical and legal dialogue, and a work of erotic poetry. In keeping with the model of the serious-badin, it articulates the elements of two opposing discourses (for us), through a back-and-forth between two cities, Paris (city of letters) and Bourges (city of law) ; but also thanks to a fictionalization of legal cases, which allow us to mingle the beloved woman and legal science. Other works show that literature feeds back on legal texts. In this way, we realize how fruitful it is to analyze the traces of legal discourse in fiction, as well as the literary practice of 16th-centurylawyers , in their moral, philosophical and poetic works.
