Marie De France's "Bisclavret (The Werewolf)"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the short work, "Bisclavret (The Werewolf)", within Marie De France's "Lais," is a telling picture of the definitions of civility and even a glimpse into the chivalric ideal. It looks at how, in the piece, are many mentions of the definitions of the ideal of the positions the characters themselves are expected to uphold and how there are many mentions of the definition of civility and responsibility. It shows how Bisclavret defines duty and seeks only a return of his loyalty and how the mystery and magic of Brittany has encompassed his life.

From the Paper:

"Probably the most telling of all the messages within this work is the redemption from shame of the man who by unknown means has become a beast. Early in the work the wife's greatest fear is that the escapades of her straying husband includes a lover, probably a much more likely reality for a man at this time to disappear for three full days a week. If this had been the case it would have made for a much less fantastic story but would have also carried a similar sort of reformation and redemption process. The appearance of inappropriate behavior having been fully concealed through a beastly disguise and his lack of desire to hurt other men make him a redeemable soul, just as would have been the case had he been cheating on his wife."

More papers on Marie De France's "Bisclavret (The Werewolf)":

• Analytical Essay # 83509 : "The Lais of Marie de France"
• Book Review # 106789 : "Marie de France's "Eliduc"

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