Roman de la Rose

The "Roman de la Rose" is a long medieval French poem about courtly love, initially written by Guillaume de Lorris and later expanded by Jean de Meun.

Lorris's portion focuses on the idealized pursuit of love within a dream allegory, featuring allegorical characters representing virtues and vices.

De Meun's addition, however, shifts the tone to a more bawdy and misogynistic depiction of love and relationships.

This contrast led to significant literary debate, with Christine de Pizan famously criticizing its misogynistic elements.

The poem's enduring significance lies in its reflection of medieval attitudes towards love, gender, and morality, and its role in sparking important literary and social discussions.