Medieval Romance

Notes

Definition

• The medieval definition of romance is different than its meaning today. When we hear the word romance today, we think of Titanic, Nicholas Sparks, and love songs. However, during the Middle Ages, romance (romanz) referred to languages, especially French, derived from Latin (or language spoken by the Romans).

Romance…• Initially, the word romance was used to

distinguish between real literature, which was written in Latin, and stories written in the vernacular, which was written in French. Consequently, the word romance when applied to medieval romances means the story contains characteristics associated with French writings.

Romantic• When the word romantic is applied to a

medieval narrative such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, we assume that the story will include a knight who embarks on a quest or adventure. In other words, a medieval romance closely resembles an adventure story.

Other elements• Other elements of a medieval romance

include fictitious events that are marvelous or even supernatural. The story may be written in verse, like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, or the story may be written in prose like Marlory’s Le Morte D’Arthur. Surprisingly, a medieval romance does not need to include a love interest even though many of them do.

Definition• Medieval romances are stories of adventure in

which the chief parts are played by knights, famous king, or distressed ladies, acting most often under the impulse of love, religious faith, or, in many, mere desire for adventure. The stories were first told in verse, but when, later, prose versions were made, they were also called romances. In length the verse romances vary from a few hundred lines to tens of thousands...” (qtd. in Glenn para. 7).

Elements of a Medieval RomanceIn short, a medieval romance is usually characterized by the

following:1. an idealization of chivalry2. an idealization of the hero/knight and his noble deeds3. a knight’s love for a lady4. imaginary or vague settings5. mystery and suspense / supernatural elements6. a concealed or disguised identity7. repetition of the mystic number 3 or multiples of 3.

The knight of a medieval romance will have the following characteristics:

1. a great hero whose birth is shrouded in mystery

2. ignorance of his real parents3. for a time, his true identity may be unknown4. he meets an extraordinary challenge before

claiming his honor5. his triumph benefits his nation or group