The Qur’an and Marie de France agree on the importance of leading a good life. Islamic beliefs, as stated in the Qur’an, argue that the good life is found by believing in the one God, following him and the Qur’an, and by doing good works. However, Marie de France thinks that the good life is achieved by following true love. Although they have different views of the good life, their writings agree that living the good life should be pursued. Marie de France is concerned with living the good life which consists of following true love. In her story entitled “Lanval,” Marie de France describes a knight who is envied by many because of his “valour, generosity, beauty, and prowess” (295). Although many people are envious of Lanval and his …show more content…
After Lanval leaks his secret about his maiden, the King wants him dead, and Lanval “would have been happy for them to kill him” because he knew that he would never see his lover again (299). Lanval’s lover is his source of happiness and is what allows him to live his version of the good life. Being reunited with his lover is the only way that Lanval can pursue the good life, so he rejects the offer of the significant life. The Qur’an states that in order to live the good life, a person must believe that there is only “one God, that Muhammad was His prophet, that God orders all the world, and those who resist God will be punished,” and all Muslims must also do good works in order to avoid God’s curse (256, 259). The Qur’an states that those who “deny God's revelations [in the Book of Truth] shall be sternly punished” (257). The Qur’an even states how the significant life will not save anyone and that it is not the path to follow because for the unbelievers “neither riches nor their children will in the least save them from God’s wrath” (257). Islamic belief even states how men are “tempted by the lure of women and offspring, or hoarded treasure of gold and silver… these are the comfort of this life, but far better is the return of God (257). For Muslims, the good life is following God and believing all that is in the Qur’an; the
Literature of the Middle Ages can not be discussed without acknowledging the undeniable importance of chivalry. Chivalry in relation to the middle ages is defined as “the code of conduct adhered to by Medieval knights with gallant knightly values including honor, bravery, courteousness and honesty.” This key characteristic is essential in defining an ideal knight as well as his expectations. A knight must live by a chivalric code in which he becomes indebted to the people, his fellow knights, and most importantly, his lord. No other knight displayed more of a devotion to upholding the code then Lanval of Marie de France’s lai “Lanval.” Lanval demonstrates his chivalric nature in essential every action from maintaining comitatus amongst the
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
This is significant because her pursuit signifies initiative, which is a sign of confidence. However, she also does not unconditionally offer her love. The fact that she requires that Lanval be “worthy and courtly” indicates a sense of self-worth. Finally, in her offer, she does not mention any concrete details of what she would do for Lanval, let alone drop anything of her life for his interests, which suggests that although she will love him, she will not let him rule her life (another indicator of her self- worth). This behavior is quite powerful, as the her confidence and self preservation prove that she is a dominant type of individual.
Although the Lais of Marie de France may seem to be ordinary tales of knights and chivalry, each explores the complicated issues surrounding love, loyalty, and gender. Marie uses four stories in particular to make statements on the relationships between men and women of that time.
This woman, came all the way from her land in search for this man in my opinion is something that a man would instead do. She gives him gifts, “horse had been saddled,” “Lanval was richly served.” The woman tells him after confessing her love that he would lose her for good if he ever spoke of their love. Lanval, who you’d think would be a “Brave manly knight” has no problem being demanded and agrees.
Some people keep secrets in order to keep the peace, to keep the happiness, and to keep others safe. There are many people in the world who feel that keeping a secret is wrong or may feel disrespected because a person is not being open and honest with them. Everyone has a different perspective of the influence secrets have on people. Medieval author, Marie De France, wrote the story of Lanval which tells the story of a knight who must keep his love with the woman of his dreams a secret or he will lose her forever. Secrecy is the central theme of Marie De France’s story. The theme of secrecy in this story adds to the dramatic effect of passion that the characters share with one another. This essay will examine how the theme of secrecy in Marie De France’s Lanval was an essential component to the story, how the choices made by the characters affected the plot, and how secrecy contributes to the entire meaning of the work.
The Queen sends Lanval home and tells him not to boast about this love and that if he will, he will lose his love. The second courtly love that is presented in Lanval is the love between the King’s wife, another Queen, and Lanval once again (Norton
The tales of Marie de France, shed light on the romantic relationships and chivalry of this time period. This is very insightful for modern people to be able to read and understand the culture of that time. Knighthood and chivalry were respected by some, but many times they were disregarded for passion. Love and marriage are largely connected to physical attractiveness of the person and the passion involved. Marriage is not a very serious commitment and will be disregarded whenever another presents themselves as a more attractive lover. Religion is not huge in the stories but can be present when looking for a lover. Magic plays a part in the Yonec and Bisclavret stories, but is not largely present throughout.
Even though these qualities are praised in this culture, medieval narratives commonly uphold unrealistic virtues of what a perfect woman is. After Lanval vows to keep their love a secret, the queen of the court tempts the knight with her love. She says, "Lanval, I have honored, cherished and loved you much. You may have all my love: just tell me what you desire! I grant you my love and you should be glad to have me" (pp. 1771). Shortly after Lanval rejects her advances, the queen further establishes her ill will towards the good knight by saying, "I well believe that you do not like this kind of pleasure. I have been told often enough that you have no desire for women" (pp. 1771). The importance of these accusations exemplifies the queen's power and influence over Lanval. Although he graciously declines the queen's love, he regrettably reveals his love to the queen in an attempt to prove himself to the court. He says, "And I will tell you one thing; you can be sure that one of her servants, even the very poorest girl, is worth more than you, my lady the Queen, in body, face and beauty, wisdom and goodness" (pp. 1771). The manner which the queen entices Lanval reveals that both power and evil can be easily compared to this woman's actions, showing readers the other side of the coin. The division between these two women illustrates how often this society feeds off of a virgin/ whore dichotomy, branding such women
In her poem "Lanval," Marie de France shares a fantasy with her readers, telling the tale of a mysterious woman who journeys from a distant land to be with Lanval, a dishonored knight of King Arthur's Round Table. Marie's portrayal sets Lanval's mistress apart from the maidens and ladies in waiting at King Arthur's court, as she eclipses even Queen Guenever. Much like an editor of a modern woman's fashion magazine, Marie targets her audience of mostly aristocratic twelfth-century women. She describes a mysterious lady whose retinue, meadow pavilion, clothing, figure, cultured sentiments, deportment, and conduct depict her as a superior being. Lanval's mistress is a model Marie's readers
Knights live their lives bounded to a “chivalric code”. A set of rules that tell them how they should be. The chivalric code tells these men to fight bravely, always stay loyal to one’s lord, and to treat people with kindness. Knights are generally portrayed in the media in intense battles, jousting, or at the round table. In Marie De France’s poem “Lanval” we see a number of different knights. Lanval is a knight said to be more brave and more beautiful than anyone to come before him, and for this he is reprimanded. He is left out and forgotten by not only the other knights but also by his King. As brave and beautiful as this Lanval is he falls short in fulfilling all areas of his chivalric code. Lanval is not a true and honorable knight because
However, what would love be without tribulations? In middle age love stories disastrous consequences provide readers with high expectations for the lovers within their risky relationships. In the story of “Equatin”, a woman falls in love with her mistress and the two ponder up a plan to kill her husband by scalding him in boiling water (59). Unfortunately, for Equatin and his lover, the king discovers there secret and the two are scorched to death.
Marie de France lived in a time when social graces were paramount to a good reputation, lordships and to securing good marriages. A woman was considered less valuable if she lost her virginity; a wife was subjected to her feudal lord, father, brother or son after her husband’s death. According to Angela Sandison’s article “The Role of Women in the Middle Ages”, this was because in the Middle Ages the Church and the aristocracy controlled public opinion and the legal system. These authorities of the times believed a woman’s place was in a submissive role to a man. In The Lay of the Nightingale, we will see how this social and religious hierarchy will impact the behaviors of the three people involved.
The stories of Lancelot (The Knight of the Cart) and Perceval (The Story of the Grail) within Chrétien de Troyes’ Arthurian Romances depict a world of Medieval Romance that is somewhat different from one that was depicted in earlier epics. These romances are more focused on the battle between love and honor rather than on war and valor, which were depicted in earlier epics of de Troyes’ time. The tale of Lancelot follows a star-struck knight who undergoes an inner conflict between both the lover and hero inside him. His intense commitment to rescuing the queen causes him to make rash decisions which inevitably restrain him from controlling his own fate. Perceval’s story exhibits a different purpose for love in a knight’s life. Unlike Lancelot, he accepts love only when he believes it can further advance him in becoming the perfect knight. The two heroes’ actions showcase an inner conflict between maintaining their honor as knights and the love for another. Through these two tales, Chrétien de Troyes shows that that idealistic love and conscious chivalry cannot necessarily successfully coexist, yet it is the unachievable idealistic view that these two ideals do coexist.
While the theme of love itself, may it be positive or negative, is reoccurring, Marie’s presentation of romantic relationships and their differing qualities can be considered a theme alone. In “Guigemar”, the relationship between the knight and his lady represents loyalty, and an ability to heal or cure. Yet, the relationship between the beast and his wife in “Bisclavret” demonstrates the selfish and traitorous behavior that can occur between partners, especially if one has proved to be adulterous.