Epic and Romance: Essays on Medieval Literature

"Epic and Romance: Essays on Medieval Literature" by W. P. Ker is a detailed study of stories from the Middle Ages, created during the late 1800s, that looks closely at both tales of heroes and stories of love. It examines important books and writings from that time, providing a way to understand how these types of storytelling show a change from the past to an age of knights and courtly love. The book begins by explaining the differences between epic and romance, where the author shows that epic poems are large, heroic, and often based on actual events and people. On the other hand, romance stories are more imaginative and focused on the lives of nobles. This beginning sets up a more thorough study of specific works, stressing the importance of history and culture in influencing these storytelling styles, and captures the shifting conversation between brave deeds and romantic thoughts, shaping how stories were told in the medieval period.