Definition and Categories Romance Definition and Categories

Romance （浪漫传奇） The Definition：Romance was a type of literature that was very popular in the Middle Ages. It, in the original sense of the word, means the vernacular language, as opposed to Latin, and later it means a tale in verse, embodying the life and adventures of knights.

Romance is characteristic of the early feudal age, as it reflects the spirit of chivalry, that is, the quality and ideal of knightly conduct. The content of Romance is usually about love, chivalry, and religion. It generally concerns knights and involves a large amount of fighting as well as a number of miscellaneous adventures; it makes liberal use of the improbable, often supernatural, and it often includes romantic love.

In subject matters, Romance usually falls under three categories: 1) The matter of France: a number of romances dealing with the exploits of Charlemagne the Great (查 理曼大帝) and Roland, a French national hero in the 8th century. The most well-known piece is Chanson de Roland《罗兰之歌》.

2) The matter of Rome: some romances dealing with Alexander the Great (亚历山大大帝) and the siege of Troy. 3) The matter of Britain: the Arthurian legend brought to France by the Celts. The English people later took the material from teh French tales. The important Arthurian romances are mainly about Sir Gawain, the quest for the Holy Grail and the death of King Arthur. (亚瑟王传奇)