Defining Romance

1
Defining Romance

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

2
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

3
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.

4
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.

5
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

6
Features of Medieval Romance

• Heroic Quest The plot of a romance usually
  focuses on a quest, a heros dangerous journey in
  search of something of value.
• Example The search for the Holy Grail

7
Supernatural Elements

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

8
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.