Medieval Romance and the Construction of Heterosexuality
- Author / Editor
- Sylvester, Louise M.
Medieval Romance and the Construction of Heterosexuality
- Published
- New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.
- Physical Description
- 202 pp.
- Series
- The New Middle Ages.
- Description
- Investigates how medieval romances have shaped heterosexual gender roles, studying the role of language in constructing sexuality. In close readings of TC, MilT, and MerT, Sylvester analyzes "transitivity" and maps dialogue between male and female characters, particularly in scenes in which characters meet and in which intercourse is initially offered. Forceful heterosexual masculinity is required for heterosexual intercourse to occur in fabliau and romance. Includes discussion of rape in medieval romance.
- Chaucer Subjects
- Troilus and Criseyde
- Merchant and His Tale
- Miller and His Tale