Courtly love is a cool theme, based on Petrach's model (ENGL 1020 comes in handy at last).
Pre-marriage:
-The woman is placed on a pedestal and is viewed as above the man.
-The man performs acts of daring/chivalry/etc to try and catch the interest of the woman.
-The woman is disdainful of the man.
-The man pines/doesn't eat, sleep, etc/is obsessed because the woman does not know he exists.
-The man usually marries above his station (I think).
Post marriage:
-The man takes on the dominant role and is the head of the house.
-The woman takes on the traditional female role.
If you look at The Franklin's Tale by Chaucer you can see how courtly love is used and modified (she pines for him when he leaves, etc).
Hope that gives you some idea.