Marie de France's "Lanval" and "Bisclavet"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that many of the lais of Marie de France seem like fairy tales because of their use of supernatural symbolism and metaphor; however, the narrative poems of "Lanval" and "Bisclavet" contain profound revelations of the tensions inherent to the marital bond. The author points out that, in "Lanval", tension-laden cultural concepts are expressed through the symbolic metaphor of invisibility of the title protagonist's wife. The paper relates that the tension between the public and private aspects of marriage is underlined in the lai "Bisclavet", the tale of a werewolf.

From the Paper:

"Of course, it might be argued that Lanval's fairy situation is fairly unique. Yet, the supernatural metaphor of invisibility parallels in some ways his original starting societal position at the beginning of the tale. Lanval is known to be the son of a "wealthy king," but he has spent his father's money already, which creates a dissonance between his perceived social state and the reality. Lanval is also a relative stranger to the court, hence the references to him dwelling in a hotel. Thus, he cuts a particularly suspect figure."

Sample of Sources Used:

• De France, Marie. "Bisclavet." Translated by Judith P. Shoaf. 1991-96. [12 Oct 2006]< http://web.english.ufl.edu/exemplaria/marie/bisclavret.pdf>
• De France, Marie. "Lanval." Translated by Judith P. Shoaf. 1991-96. [12 Oct 2006]< http://web.english.ufl.edu/exemplaria/marie/lanval.pdf>

More papers on Marie de France's "Lanval" and "Bisclavet":

• Poem Review # 3636 : "Marie de France: "Lanval"
• Book Review # 106789 : "Marie de France's "Eliduc"

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