Jean Bodel

Jean Bodel was a medieval French poet and scholar active in the 12th century, known for his contributions to medieval literature. He is famous for classifying the types of stories or "tragedies" found in medieval narratives into three categories: those about the birth of heroes (like legends and romances), those involving the downfall or death of heroes (such as tragedies), and stories of chivalry and adventure (like knightly tales). Bodel's work helped organize and understand the themes common in medieval storytelling, influencing how later literature and folklore were studied and appreciated.