Defining Romance Romance means nothing if it does not convey some notion of mystery and fantasy.

Defining Romance  A romance is a narrative that tells of strange, sometimes supernatural, events in exotic settings.  In the Middle Ages the term referred to tales that depicted the heroic deeds and courtly loves of noble knights and ladies  A romance is a narrative that tells of strange, sometimes supernatural, events in exotic settings.  In the Middle Ages the term referred to tales that depicted the heroic deeds and courtly loves of noble knights and ladies

Romances and “love”  Originally romances did not have any connection to love.  However, courtly love is an important element of chivalry, and chivalry is the real core of medieval romance.  For this reason, romantic sagas are sometimes called chivalric romances, or courtly romances.  Originally romances did not have any connection to love.  However, courtly love is an important element of chivalry, and chivalry is the real core of medieval romance.  For this reason, romantic sagas are sometimes called chivalric romances, or courtly romances.

Romance and Legend  Medieval romances are often closely related to legends (stories about that past that are usually based on historical fact).  Legends often tell of a hero who is human, yet larger than life--a king, saint, or any person who performed extraordinary deeds.  Example: King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.  Medieval romances are often closely related to legends (stories about that past that are usually based on historical fact).  Legends often tell of a hero who is human, yet larger than life--a king, saint, or any person who performed extraordinary deeds.  Example: King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Features of Medieval Romance  Romance hero: A romance focuses on the courageous deeds and adventures of a heroic main character. He is usually a king, a knight, or brave hero who follows the chivalric code of behavior  Courage  Virtue  Piety (religious devotion)  Loyalty (especially to a ruler)  Idealized love of a noble lady  Romance hero: A romance focuses on the courageous deeds and adventures of a heroic main character. He is usually a king, a knight, or brave hero who follows the chivalric code of behavior  Courage  Virtue  Piety (religious devotion)  Loyalty (especially to a ruler)  Idealized love of a noble lady

Features of Medieval Romance  Heroic Quest: The plot of a romance usually focuses on a quest, a hero’s dangerous journey in search of something of value.  Example: The search for the Holy Grail  Heroic Quest: The plot of a romance usually focuses on a quest, a hero’s dangerous journey in search of something of value.  Example: The search for the Holy Grail

Supernatural Elements  A romance blends realistic and fantastic elements, including supernatural characters, fantastic plot elements, or even magical settings.

Symbols and Archetypes  A romance features characters, plot elements settings, images, and themes that take on a greater importance.  A symbol is a person, place, animal, or object that takes on a meaning larger than itself. Ex: The American flag symbolizes freedom.  An archetype is a symbol that occurs in the literature of many different cultures.  A romance features characters, plot elements settings, images, and themes that take on a greater importance.  A symbol is a person, place, animal, or object that takes on a meaning larger than itself. Ex: The American flag symbolizes freedom.  An archetype is a symbol that occurs in the literature of many different cultures.