Romantic epic definition11/25/2023 ![]() ![]() 'In addition, the rise of the aristocracy and a culture of conspicuous consumption created a courtly audience for romance literature, with many wealthy female patrons. 'These church reforms codified that marriage is a sacrament requiring free consent from both parties: the woman's choice was actively required,' she said. Professor Ashe explained that changing attitudes towards the roles of men and women may have played their part. 'Even tragic love stories are based on the idea that the living individual is to be celebrated and that it might be better to stay alive after all.' ![]() And romantic love - giving yourself to another person - provides a justification, in the medieval moral compass, for the pursuit of self-fulfilment as an individual. 'The spiritual lives of ordinary people were recognised, and people were encouraged to have a more emotional and personal relationship with God as individuals. ‘A series of church reforms in the 12th century took Christianity from a rather austere view of God the Father to a new focus on Christ's humanity. So what changed in the Middle Ages? 'There was a transformation in culture,’ said Professor Ashe. 'Of course the heroes of the Greek and Roman epics manage to do great deeds, but they still have to die heroically, or sacrifice themselves in other ways to a heroic destiny,' said Professor Ashe. In Classical literature, too, heroism leaves no time for a personal life. 'In this setting, it's absurd that you might pursue personal happiness, because that could mean running away and abandoning your companions.' Love in this world means love for your fellow warriors, and the idea of sacrificing yourself for the group. 'The world of the Anglo-Saxon warrior, at least in poetry, was based on the bond of loyalty between fighting men. 'In the 12th century, romantic love became something that was worth celebrating and exploring in songs and stories - and you only have to look at modern film and music to see that legacy is still with us.'īefore the Norman conquest of England, Anglo-Saxon literature had a very different focus, said Professor Ashe. 'People in every time and culture have fallen in love, but not every culture has written about love or valued it in the same way. 'It's important to bear in mind that I don't think people have changed,' said Professor Ashe. Laura Ashe, Associate Professor of English at Worcester College and the Faculty of English has described the invention of romantic love in the literature of the Middle Ages. Romance isn't dead, but it might be nine centuries old, according to an Oxford University academic. ![]()
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