Romance facts for kids
Romance or romantic can mean different things. It often describes feelings of excitement and mystery, especially when linked to love. But it can also refer to old stories, languages, or even a style of art.
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What Does Romance Mean?
The word "romance" has a long history. It comes from the old word "Roman," which was about the Roman Empire. Over time, its meaning changed to include stories and feelings.
Romance and Love
When people talk about romance today, they often mean feelings of love and affection. This kind of romance includes strong, happy feelings and a sense of wonder. It can be about:
- Romantic love: This is a deep feeling of connection and attraction between two people. It often involves caring a lot about someone and wanting to spend time with them.
- Romantic friendship: This is a very close friendship that includes a lot of emotional support. Friends might feel a deep bond and show affection, but it's not the same as romantic love.
Romance in Stories and Art
The word "romance" also describes different types of stories, books, and art.
Chivalric Romance
Long ago, in the Middle Ages, there were stories called chivalric romances. These tales were about brave knights, noble ladies, and exciting adventures. They often featured magic, quests, and heroes who followed a code of honor. Famous examples include stories about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Romanticism in Art
Romanticism was a big movement in art, music, and literature. It started in the late 1700s, mostly in France. Artists and writers during this time focused on strong emotions, nature, and the beauty of the imagination. They wanted to show feelings like awe, fear, and wonder.
- Romantic painting often showed dramatic landscapes, historical events, or emotional scenes.
- Romantic music used powerful melodies and harmonies to express deep feelings.
- Romantic poetry explored themes of nature, love, and the individual's inner world.
Modern Romance Stories
Today, you can find many types of stories called "romance."
- Romance novels are books that focus on the love story between characters. They usually have a happy ending.
- Romance movies are films that tell a love story. They can be funny, dramatic, or heartwarming.
- Romance comics are comic books that also tell stories about love and relationships.
Romance Languages
The Romance languages are a group of languages that came from Latin. Latin was the language spoken in the ancient Roman Empire. Even though they are called "Romance," this name comes from "Roman" and doesn't mean they are always about love. Some of the most common Romance languages include:
- Italian
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Romanian
These languages share many similar words and grammar rules because they all grew from the same root language.
See Also
- In Spanish: Romance para niños
