The chanson d'aventure (plural chansons d'aventure) is essentially a framing device, where the singer (or poet) wanders into a wild or rural setting and has a chance encounter, usually in the form of a dialogue; it originates in Old French lyrics usually with an erotic or amorous theme.[1] Sometimes, the chanson may focus on an overheard dialogue, or lover's complaint. In either way, the chief feature is that of a chance encounter. It likely evolved from two earlier chanson subtypes, the chanson dramatique and the chanson pastourelle.[2]
Poets in Middle English adopted the trope for themes other than love, often making the debate's focus a moral or devotional one. The genre shares many common features with the dream vision, although with the important distinction that the poet does not fall asleep.