54 pages • 1 hour read
The Romance of the Rose
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
350
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
France • 13th century
1230
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Romance of the Rose is an allegorical poem where the narrator dreams of pursuing a rose, a symbol of ideal love, within a beautiful garden. Guided and obstructed by figures like Love, Reason, and Fair Welcome, he navigates emotions and obstacles in his quest. The poem explores themes of courtly love, the nature of desire, and rationality versus passion. The book reflects medieval European attitudes toward gender and sexuality, which may seem problematic by modern standards.
Romantic
Fantastical
Contemplative
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
2,567 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Romance of the Rose by Guillaume De Lorris is a seminal work in medieval literature, praised for its rich allegory and influential courtly love themes. Critics highlight its enduring poetic beauty and cultural significance. However, some readers find its archaic language and verbose style challenging. Overall, it remains a valuable, though demanding, literary classic.
Who Should Read The Romance of the Rose?
A reader who would enjoy The Romance of the Rose by Guillaume De Lorris is likely interested in medieval literature, allegorical narratives, and courtly love. They would appreciate the intricate storytelling and poetic style, similar to works like Troilus and Criseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
2,567 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
350
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
France • 13th century
1230
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.