Super Short Summary

The Romance of the Rose is an allegorical poem where the narrator dreams of pursuing a rose, a symbol of ideal love, within a beautiful garden. Guided and obstructed by figures like Love, Reason, and Fair Welcome, he navigates emotions and obstacles in his quest. The poem explores themes of courtly love, the nature of desire, and rationality versus passion. The book reflects medieval European attitudes toward gender and sexuality, which may seem problematic by modern standards.