Loading…
GCSE English Literature · key term
A literary convention presenting the lover as a devoted servant of an idealised, often unattainable beloved, with love expressed through elaborate praise and suffering.
Used by Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas
Paper 1
A literary convention presenting a lover as devoted to an idealised, often unattainable beloved, whose rejection makes the lover suffer.
Revise: OrsinoOrsino largely speaks in blank verse, unrhymed iambic pentameter. Its measured rhythm and elaborate imagery suit his aristocratic status and the poetic conventions of courtly love. However, elegant verse does not prove that his judgement is sound.
Paper 2
Create a free account to keep every note you open and track your progress.
A literary tradition in which a lover praises an idealised lady, often through elaborate language and images of perfection.
Component 1
Revise: OrsinoOrsino usually speaks about love in blank verse, unrhymed lines generally shaped by the five-beat rhythm of iambic pentameter. His elevated poetry suits his rank and the conventions of courtly love, but its beauty does not automatically prove emotional depth. The opening speech dwells on his sensations rather than on Olivia as an individual.
