Final answer:
Medieval romance is a genre that idealizes chivalry, courtly love, and the supernatural, featuring heroes who face extraordinary challenges to bring glory to themselves and their nations. Originating in 11th-century France, its tradition continues in various literary forms, including the Gothic tales of the Romantic Period.
Step-by-step explanation:
A medieval romance refers to a genre of literature that originated in the 11th century, primarily as entertainment for the nobility, and evolved to demonstrate the values of chivalry and courtly love. This literary form is known for its adventurous knights who undertake extraordinary challenges that symbolize the triumph of individual courage and honor while bringing glory to their king and nation. In these stories, themes of the supernatural and the mysterious are often present, as are various acts of heroism in the name of love, which often remains dedicatedly platonic. Additionally, the ideals of chivalry included in these romances were meant to frame the knight's conduct within a religious ethos that sanctified their martial deeds.
Throughout history, this form of writing has taken many shapes, ranging from the ballads sung by troubadours to the intricate narratives written by authors like Sir Walter Scott. Romantic literature also incorporates Gothic tales, as seen in the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, where the mystery and supernatural intertwine with the human experience.
Famous exemplars of the medieval romance can be found in the stories of King Arthur and his knights, which embody the quintessential elements of the genre: chivalrous deeds, unattainable love, and noble quests undertaken in a world where the fantastic and the real coexist.