The work is in the same poetic form as the majority of medieval French romans, although significantly shorter than the romances of Chrétien de Troyes.

Some critics believe that the romance (other than the ending) is a roman à clef and that elements are based on true events.

There are also multiple examples of the tale being portrayed in art, including various caskets depicting scenes from the poem.

Whether or not the text is part of the courtly love tradition has been widely debated, especially given Gaston Paris and C. S. Lewis' definitions of the concept.

The Duke reveals the truth of the knight's love to his wife, trusting her to keep the secret; but, at the feast of Pentecoste, the Duchess makes a cruel inside joke to the Châtelaine about her lover and her "well-trained dog".