Courtly Romance
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Courtly romance is an often used theme that can be found in countless works of literature. It refers to a type of story that details a man, usually lower class, lusting for a high ranking woman for whom it seems he can never attain. The idea first developed during the Middle Ages, as writers aimed to please the female audience of these stories by focusing them primarily upon women and the desire of men to please them. With a female audience in mind, the author would tend to shy away from violence and war, and shade the story towards love and romance.
The process of courtly love itself is also a noteworthy topic. The standard model in most works during Medieval Times revolved around the high ranking lady being in complete control. The man, often a knight, was entirely at her mercy, a fact which he both understood and respected. It was essentially his sole duty in life to strive to pursue and please his lady of lust, even if it often meant little or no progess. In fact, the lady often would be unaware of her lover's advances. None of this would deter the potential suitor, however, as his unrequited love would inspire him to perform tremendous deeds in an attempt to prove his worth...