Romance Genre
Numerous diverse and unique pieces of art and literature emphasize the evolution of art and literature. This evolution followed periods such as the Renaissance, impressionism, and Romanticism; the different movements of specific eras characterized these periods. For instance, romanticism was a movement lasting between the late 18th and 19th Century, described by celebrating the individual (Greenblatt et al. 2). Romanticism led to the Romance era that saw numerous literary changes in the Romance genre, from ancient, medieval, and modern periods. Romance originated from the French term Romans in the 12th Century (Abrams et al. 140).
Definition
Romance is one genre covered in this course. According to Abrams et al., the romance genre is a “narrative, stories that involve separation, testing, and travel, all the prelude to, and premise of, a final homecoming and recognition” (140). Further, in the romance genre, medieval romance portrays chivalry alongside adventure. The literary compositions of romance genres are composed in diverse ways, including verses and prose. Additionally, the romance genre was distinct from realism, leaning more toward fiction rather than realism. The enlightenment occurring in the different eras saw the actualization of the movement’s ideologies and philosophies.
Romance genre’s significant characteristics.
Every genre has unique characteristics that set it apart from the other genres. Accordingly, the romance genre has numerous factors, including;
- The first characteristic entails their structure, whereby they are in prose or verses and are of varying lengths with different methods of relaying.
- The second characteristic entails their cycle in the storyline or pattern, whereby they start by presenting a unit in harmony, and a given stimulus then disrupts the harmony. Subsequently, a member of that unit is put forth to counter the disruption in a foreign environment; later, in the unfamiliar environment, the member faces several tests that, in turn, will restore the initial harmony while the member gains something in return such as titles (Abrams et al. 141).
- Other characteristics include;
- Chivalry is the code of honour employed by knights in the genre.
- Passion, which influences the success of the story pattern
- Emotion, which influences deeds
- Heroism is illustrated by the success of the individual in the story
- Celebration Of Nature is represented in the adventure described in the story pattern.
- Spirituality helps establish themes.
- Symbolism is significant due to its impact on its readers based on the effect of the message. The story often involves ethical dilemmas in which the outcomes influence the story’s pattern.
Major Works Within the Romance Genre.
The romance genre was brought about by romanticism, a movement of the Romance era. Subsequently, numerous works were released during that period, some more prominent or well-known than others. Thus, some of the major works within the Romance genre include;
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,
- Morte Darthur,
- Odyssey
- Chevrefoil
- Lais of Marie de France
- Sir Orfeo, amongst others.
Comparison of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Morte Darthur
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
On the one hand, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a poem and piece of medieval literature based on Arthurian legend. The poem involves Sir Gawain, a knight in King Arthur’s court who goes through an adventure after encountering the Green Knight. Initially, there was peace and harmony in the King’s court when the Green Knight came limping in, causing a commotion. The Green Knight challenged the court, and Sir Gawain took it upon himself to defend its honour. Subsequently, his action prompted the Green Knight’s quest; on the quest, Sir Gawain went through several tests before his return to the court.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight follows the generic convention of the Romance genre. The characteristics of the romance genre are evident in the poem. First, the poem consists of verses with 2530 lines, illustrating its length as a long poem. The poem’s length helps establish the poem’s themes through the content, which allows the composer emphasize the preferred details. Second, the story cycle is applied in the romance genre as illustrated in the storyline or pattern. Consistently, the poem starts by presenting a unit, the King Arthur’s Court, in harmony and celebration (line 65). A given prompt then disrupts the harmony, the Green Knight, who is unique in appearance, demeanour, and attitude. His appearance and that of his horse interfered with the harmony of the court; additionally, he put forth a challenge to the members of the court involving attacking him (line 292).
Following the presentation of the challenge, most members did not respond, and to prevent ruining the court’s honor, a member of that unit, Sir Gawain, was put forth to counter the disruption, indicating chivalry. The Green Knight challenges Sir Gawain on a quest in a foreign environment, establishing the celebration of nature. Subsequently, Sir Gawain faces several tests in the unfamiliar environment, showing spirituality, passion and emotion. When he returns to the court, initial harmony is restored while his reputation is improved due to his recognition, illustrating heroism. The entire story portrays symbolism as it conveys Sir Gawain’s journey and his choices.
Morte Darthur
On the other hand, Morte Darthur was the last medieval book based on Arthurian literature. The book portrays a quest by King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Knights at the Round Table on an adventure to obtain a grail. Despite the numerous quests and adventures in the book, a commotion was depicted with the involvement of Sir Lancelot, one of King Arthur’s best knights. Despite being considered a worshipped knight, Sir Lancelot had an affair with King Arthur’s Queen, Queen Guinevere, a well-kept secret that was revealed by Sir Agravain, who, due to his hatred for Sir Lancelot and the Queen, had discovered their secret (Abrams et al. 482). Consequently, King Arthur wanted to punish them for the affair, and as he battled Sir Lancelot, his son, Mordred, spread the news of his death, taking the throne. In response to Modred’s actions, King Arthur went to reclaim his throne, battling Modred where he died.
Morte Darthur follows the generic convention of the Romance genre. The characteristics of the romance genre are evident in the book. First, the book is in prose with numerous chapters depicting many adventures of the Knights at the Round Table, which establishes the themes in the book. Second, the story cycle is applied in the romance genre as illustrated in the storyline or pattern. At the start, a unit is presented in harmony: the knights at the round table; the harmony is then disrupted by a given stimulus, Sir Agravain, who announces the affair between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. Following this commotion, a member of that unit, King Arthur, is put forth to counter the disruption by battling Sir Lancelot in a foreign environment away from his throne, illustrating passion, chivalry, and heroism. Subsequently, in the unfamiliar environment, the King learns of his son’s betrayal, depicting emotion, and dies while battling him; thus, the initial harmony is not restored. The quest for the Grail represents spirituality and celebration of nature, and the entire tale depicts symbolism. These characteristics are emphasized continuously due to the numerous adventures and pursuits in the tale.
Conclusion
In conclusion, stories and tales might vary in content but share numerous literary characteristics. The characteristics are based on the distinct literature genres which evolved with different historical periods. One genre with specific traits is the Romance genre, associated with romanticism, a movement of that period. Numerous works were released in this genre, including tales of Arthurian legends such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Morte Darthur.
Works Cited
Abrams, M. H et al. The Norton Anthology Of English Literature. 9th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2012, pp. 140 – 482.
Greenblatt, Stephen et al. The Norton anthology of English literature: The Romantic Period. 8th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2006, p 2
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Question 
Compare and contrast the presence of Christianity in at least two of the course readings. Include the following in your analysis:
Explain how each text reflects the author’s religious beliefs or personal history.
Explain how each portrays the religious climate of England at the time.
Please explain how the texts serve as models of Christian living for their audiences.
Explain how characters struggle with their personal beliefs or with following Christian teachings.
Support each part of your literary analysis with MLA-cited examples/quotes from each text.
This course contains many examples of romantic relationships: poems and letters written to real or imaginary characters; first-hand accounts of people’s love lives or affairs; verse exchanges between imaginary lovers; and fictional accounts of characters that seek romantic relationships inside or outside of marriage. Include the following in your analysis:
Romance Genre
Compare and contrast two romantic relationships, describing how the authors depict each one.
Identify what motivates each character or speaker.
Explain what each person is looking for in a relationship.
Explain some similarities and differences between the two characters or people you chose.
Support each part of your literary analysis with MLA-cited examples/quotes from each text.
Several of the readings in this course contain villains: the three monsters in Beowulf, Mordred in Morte Darthur; the devils in The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus; Iago in Othello, and Satan and the other fallen angels in Paradise Lost, to name a few. Include the following in your analysis:
Compare and contrast two villains you encountered in this course’s readings. Address them:
Motivations
Evil methods
Effect on the other characters
Support each part of your literary analysis with MLA-cited examples/quotes from each text.
This course contains readings that fall within different genres, including epics (Beowulf, Paradise Lost, and the mock epic The Rape of the Lock); romances (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Morte Darthur, and Chevrefoil); tragedies (Dr. Faustus and Othello); religious visionary literature or spiritual autobiographies (works by Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe); and sonnet sequences (by Shakespeare and Donne). Include the following in your analysis:
Select and identify one genre covered in this course.
Define the genre you selected.
List the genre’s significant characteristics.
List the significant works within that genre.
Compare and contrast how well two of the works in the genre covered by this course follow the generic conventions.
You may include texts not mentioned above, but be sure they fall within your chosen genre.
For this option only, you may use research in your definition of the genre, but do not research or use any information you find online about your chosen texts.
Any research must be limited to your definition (feel free to cite our textbook’s glossary of literary terminology), and you must cite your source(s).
If you mention the sonnets, provide specific examples from one or more to support your analysis.
Support each part of your literary analysis with MLA-cited examples/quotes from each text.