*Originated in the chivalric romance of the middle ages (from which "roman," the european term for the novel, stems)

*features villians and heroes

*the main character is often solitary and isolated from the social context; often set in the historical past

Abrams, Glossary of Literary Terms: "The romance is distinguished from the epic in that it does not represent a heroic age of tribal wars, but a courtly and chivalric age, often one of highly developed manners and civility. Its standard plot is that of a quest undertaken by a single knight in order to gain a lady's favor; frequently its central interest is courtly love, together with tournaments fought and dragons and monsters slain for the damsel's sake; it stresses the chivalric ideals of courage, loyalty, honor, mercifulness to an opponent, and elaborate manners; and it delights in wonders and marvels." (7th ed, p. 35)

*emphasizes adventure in quest for ideal and/or pursuit of an enemy