Fabliau

A fabliau is a humorous, often bawdy narrative poem that originated in medieval France, typically written in rhymed couplets. These tales usually involve everyday characters, such as peasants or townsfolk, and focus on themes like love, trickery, and social satire. The plots often revolve around clever schemes, infidelity, or misunderstandings, highlighting the absurdities of human behavior. Fabliaux were popular during the 12th to 14th centuries and served as a form of entertainment that reflected the values and issues of the time, ultimately influencing later literary forms like the short story and comic literature.