Through a meticulous analysis of syntax, this psychosemiotic reading of the ballades and rondeaux of Charles d'Orléans demonstrates how both content and form reveal the paradoxes and complexities of the poetic persona created by this fifteenth century French poet. "Cholakian's analysis is perceptive, thought-provoking, and intriguing...the author avoids gratuitous observations, and responsibly defends his views on the psychological tensions underlying Charles' poetry. In addressing the complicated question of Charles' persona, focusing on imagery and especially on the use of syntax, Cholakian has made an important contribution to the study of Charles d'Orléans...His book demonstrates, at the very least, that there is much more to these deceptively simple poems than meets the eye." —David A. Fein, French Review. "The book is cleanly organized, tersely written, provocative and rational at the same time." —Ann Tukey Harrison, Fifteenth Century Studies.