The Romance of the Rose

The Romance of the Rose features multiple allegorical figures offering their views on love, gender, and sexuality. How does the use of multiple viewpoints affect the exploration of the text’s key themes and ideas?

How does the text explore gender dynamics? How are masculinity and femininity represented? How does the text reflect, or question, gender roles and/or stereotypes common at the time?

How does the use of setting vary between de Lorris’s portion of the book and de Meun’s? Does the characterization and description of the Garden of Pleasure change? What does this tell us about their perspectives and approach to the story?