ABSTRACT
In a recent book 'Poetic Justice' Martha Nussbaum has a quite interesting reading of Dickens' novel 'Hard Times'. Affections or latin 'affectus' was also the word used by the Romans when they talked of marriage. Canon law as it developed in the Middle Ages is a legal system that clearly reflects relations between love and law. But it is expressly stated that he must act in accordance with her consent as demanded by the Church. Law and emotions are in fact more closely linked than the people might think when they listen to the Roman jurist Paul quoted in the beginning of this essay. It was certainly easier to admit to emotions at a time when law was considered a part of God's order of love. Time will show whether the people shall have another century of both love and law.
