As far as I know, the idealization of romantic love started in the Middle Ages, but it was of a knight for a high status lady, not part of his marriage, and not supposed to be consummated sexually.
I’m not sure when the idea started that romantic love was supposed to be the basis of marriage.
I’ve heard the same, but I’m not sure how seriously to take the meme. I happened to read some Chrétien de Troyes chivalric romances recently (in translation), and the romantic relationships he depicts, while consistently idealized in character, sometimes conclude in marriage and aren’t exclusively chaste. (Indeed, I’m told de Troyes introduced the character of Lancelot to the Arthurian canon, and we all know what he’s famous for.)
Since de Troyes was writing in the 12th century, I’m inclined to take his work as at least somewhat authoritative.
As far as I know, the idealization of romantic love started in the Middle Ages, but it was of a knight for a high status lady, not part of his marriage, and not supposed to be consummated sexually.
I’m not sure when the idea started that romantic love was supposed to be the basis of marriage.
I’ve heard the same, but I’m not sure how seriously to take the meme. I happened to read some Chrétien de Troyes chivalric romances recently (in translation), and the romantic relationships he depicts, while consistently idealized in character, sometimes conclude in marriage and aren’t exclusively chaste. (Indeed, I’m told de Troyes introduced the character of Lancelot to the Arthurian canon, and we all know what he’s famous for.)
Since de Troyes was writing in the 12th century, I’m inclined to take his work as at least somewhat authoritative.