A courtly romance is a genre characterized by a stylized and often adulterous relationship between a knight and a noble lady, where the knight serves his lady with utmost devotion.
Defining Courtly Romance
Courtly romance, a significant literary development of the medieval period, revolves around a specific set of ideals and conventions that govern the relationship between a knight and a usually married noblewoman. The key aspects are:
- Idealization of the Lady: The lady is often presented as an unattainable figure of perfection, inspiring the knight to acts of bravery and virtue.
- The Knight's Service: The knight exists solely to serve his lady, viewing her as an almost divine figure. This service takes the form of performing deeds of valor, writing poetry, and generally dedicating his life to her happiness.
- Adulterous Love: Crucially, the love in courtly romance is often, if not invariably, adulterous. According to the provided reference, marriage during this period was frequently a matter of "business interest or the seal of a power alliance," leaving room for love outside of the marital bond.
- Ritualized Behavior: The relationship follows a strict code of conduct, involving elaborate rituals and gestures of devotion.
- Allegorical Significance: Courtly love can also be interpreted as an allegory for spiritual devotion or a means of self-improvement.
Key Characteristics of Courtly Lovers
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Devotion | The courtly lover's life revolves around serving and pleasing his lady. |
| Idealization | The lady is seen as perfect and unattainable. |
| Adultery | The love is often outside the bounds of marriage. |
| Worship | The lover sees himself as worshipping the "god of love" through his lady-saint. |
| Service | The courtly lover existed to serve his lady. |
Examples in Literature
While specific examples aren't provided in the given reference, classic literature provides a few examples of courtly romance:
- Lancelot and Guinevere: The Arthurian legend contains one of the most famous examples, where Lancelot's devotion to Queen Guinevere drives his actions, often to the detriment of the kingdom.
Purpose and Function
Courtly love served several functions within medieval society:
- Social Commentary: It offered a critique of arranged marriages and the lack of emotional fulfillment within them.
- Moral Instruction: It provided a framework for ideal behavior, emphasizing virtues such as courage, loyalty, and courtesy.
- Entertainment: It provided a source of entertainment for the courtly audience, who enjoyed tales of romance and adventure.
