Lais of Marie de France

A detailed Summary of Lais of Marie de France

Throughout the Lais of Marie de France there are several themes presented as central to the various stories. Some of these themes are present in all of the lais. One such example is that of courtly love and it's implications. Courtly love being one of the more prominent themes in all of medieval literature, it is fittingly manifested in all of the lais as well. Another theme present in two of the lais is isolation. The theme of isolation plays a large role in the stories of Guigemar and Lanval. In each of these lais we see isolation as a factor in determining the fates of the central figures. Within each lai isolation is represented on several different occasions, each time having a direct impact on the outcome. These instances of isolation may be seen at times to be similar in nature and consequence, and different at other times. By sifting through both works these instances may be extrapolated and analyzed.

In general, isolation seems to be harmful to both of the heroes. One very good example of this is toward the beginning of Guigemar's tale. "They gathered in pursuit of a large stag and the hounds were released. The hunters ran in front and the young man lingered behind." (p.44) It is only when Guigemar is alone t

There are certain similarities between these two lais with respect to the theme of isolation. For instance, Guigemar must go off alone to the other, magical world to find his love so that he may eventually return and restore order to his life. On the other hand, Lanval, upon finding his love and eventually restoring order to his own life, leaves with her to the other, magical world of Avalon. It is there that they remain together on an island alone. Throughout the two lais isolation proved to be able to manifest itself in slightly different ways, primarily physical removal as opposed to psychological alienation. Although indeed a bit different in the exactness of their nature, both are undoubtedly linked in their ability to facilitate wondrous happenings in a world where isolation breeds magical events powerful enough to dramatically alter lives.

The isolation theme is continued as Guigemar travels alone to a harbor, in which is a ship. The ship is described as being majestic in its beauty, which keeps with the crossing over into the world of magic, signified by the hind responsible for Guigemar's wound. "There was no peg or deck-rail which was not made of ebony. No gold on earth was worth more and the sail was made entirely of silk, very beautiful when unfurled." (p.45) Upon boarding the ship Guigemar became aware of the fact that it was empty. "He rode forward, dismounted and in great pain climbed aboard expecting to find men in charge. But the ship was deserted and he saw no one." (p.45) Not only does the mysteriousness of the deserted ship keep with the isolation of the "other world" it also represents isolation itself as another immediate factor. It was the isolation of this magic ship that led Guigemar to his love.

In the lai of Guigemar we are presented with isolation as a physical removal from others. Whether it be Guigemar alone in the woods or the lady alone in her prison home, the isolation is always physical and forced, even if it be a force of magic such as the curse of the magical animal on Guigemar which draws him to the magic ship. In the case of Lanval this is often times not the case. With Lanval we often see isolation as a more psychological event. In the story's opening we see Lanval as being isolated from the very court and king he serves. "He apportioned wives and lands to all, save to one who had served him: this was Lanval, whom he did not remember, and for whom no one put in a good word." (p.73) Immediately we see isolation as alienation. There is no forced removal from an environment, but rather a removal from the hearts and minds of the other members of the court, most importantly that of the king's. It should be noted though that physical isolation is touched upon briefly when it is mentioned that Lanval was born of another lord in another land. "He was the son of a king of noble birth, but far from his inheritance..." (p.73)

hat he sees the mysterious doe with the antlers of a stag and

Some common words found in the essay are:
Guigemar Lanval, Avalon Bretons, Lais Marie, lais isolation, physical removal, isolation seen, love eventually, theme isolation, reveal secret, tent maiden, secret love, isolation physical, courtly love,

Approximate Word count = 1996
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English