Romance
A multifaceted concept of love with varied and contradictory definitions.
Romance and romantic love encompass a number of interrelated ideas about love, including passionate feelings of attraction, the cultural idealization of initiating intimate relationships based on such feelings, and love stories involving these elements. The term has multiple, sometimes contradictory definitions, and its meaning has changed considerably throughout history, making it difficult to define without examining its cultural origins. In psychology, romantic love is considered a motivation or drive distinct from attachment. The philosopher Arthur Lovejoy noted that the word "romantic" has come to mean so many things that it effectively means nothing. Collins Dictionary defines romantic love as an intense idealization of a love relationship where the other is imbued with extraordinary virtue or beauty, overriding all other considerations, including material ones. The concept also represents individualistic choice in marriage and sexual partners, though it is rarely fully realized and can be a source of both gratification and disappointment. People who experience little or no romantic attraction are called aromantic.
The word romance derives from the Latin *Romanus*, meaning "Rome" or "Roman." After the fall of the Roman Empire, the adverb *Romanice* was used to mean "in the vernacular," identifying languages derived from Latin. In Old French, this became *romans* or *romanz*, referring both to the language and works composed in it. During the Middle Ages, this term came to specify narrative verse about chivalry and love, known as chivalric romance. Early literature with romantic themes was written by French troubadour poets, often exploring unrequited love and the worship of a cold, cruel mistress. Poets like Chrétien de Troyes were encouraged by royalty to compose works exemplifying courtly love, which emphasized elevating the woman’s status, passionate suffering, and separation. Andreas Capellanus later wrote *The Art of Courtly Love* influenced by this culture. The French word was anglicized into romance, and initially "romantic love" referred to courtly love attitudes and behaviors. Stories in this tradition include tragic or unfulfilled love tales such as *Layla and Majnun*, the Arthurian legend of Lancelot and Guinevere, *Tristan and Iseult*, Dante and Beatrice, *Romeo and Juliet*, and *The Sorrows of Young Werther*. Others, like *Aucassin and Ni
- field
- Cultural concept, psychology, literature
- known_for
- Idealization of love relationships, individualistic choice in marriage, and the literary tradition of courtly love
- related_terms
- Aromantic, courtly love, limerence, passionate love
Lore & Background
The word romance derives from the Latin Romanus, meaning 'Rome' or 'Roman.' After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Latin adverb Romanice came to mean 'in the vernacular,' identifying languages derived from Latin. In Old French, this became romans or romanz, referring both to the language and to works composed in it. During the Middle Ages, romans/romanz took on a meaning as a type of narrative verse about chivalry and love, called chivalric romance. Some of the earliest literature with themes considered 'romantic' in a modern sense was written by French troubadours, often exploring unrequited love and the worship of a lady. Poets like Chrétien de Troyes composed works exemplifying courtly love, and Andreas Capellanus wrote The Art of Courtly Love. The French word romans was anglicized into romance, and initially the term romantic love referred to the attitudes and behaviors of courtly love.
Reader's Guide
The concept of romantic love has significantly influenced Western culture, particularly through the literary tradition of courtly love and chivalric romance. This tradition involved themes of elevating the status of the woman, passionate suffering, and separation, and it continues to shape modern attitudes toward love. In the social sciences, romantic love is used to refer to the idealization of a love relationship, with beliefs in a 'soul mate' or 'one true love' that will last forever and overcome all obstacles. This is contrasted with rational, practical love. Critics like Stanton Peele have argued that the romantic cultural ideal can underlie unhealthy extremes such as love addiction and limerence. In psychology, romantic love is considered a motivation or drive distinct from attachment. The philosopher Arthur Lovejoy noted that the word 'romantic' has come to mean so many things that, by itself, it means nothing. People who experience little to no romantic attraction are referred to as 'aromantic.'
Did You Know?
- The philosopher Arthur Lovejoy wrote that 'The word "romantic" has come to mean so many things that, by itself, it means nothing.'
- People who experience little to no romantic attraction are referred to as 'aromantic.'
- The term romantic love initially referred to the attitudes and behaviors of courtly love, which originated from troubadour poetry.
- Collins Dictionary defines romantic love as 'an intensity and idealization of a love relationship, in which the other is imbued with extraordinary virtue, beauty, etc., so that the relationship overrides all other consid
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