What is a key characteristic of a fabliau?

A key characteristic of a fabliau is its use of indecent humor. Fabliaux are short, comic narratives that originated in medieval France and are known for their lively storytelling and often satirical treatment of societal norms, especially regarding love, marriage, and human folly. The humor in fabliaux is frequently risqué or lewd, playing on the absurdities of life and the vices of the characters involved. This element of humor distinguishes fabliaux from more serious literary forms and makes them entertaining as they reflect the values and perspectives of their time.

Other characteristics differentiate fabliaux from the other options. Serious themes and historical narratives typically belong to other genres, such as epic poetry or morality plays, where the focus often centers around significant moral issues or historical events rather than humorous situations. Epic tales of heroism, commonly found in epic literature, also contrast sharply with the lightheartedness, mockery, and often crude humor that characterize fabliaux.