Marie de France: The Earliest Female Poet in France
Earliest female poet in France, Marie de France (1155-1189), was educated in the Normandy area by Henry II. She is known for her works such as the Lais, Ysopet, and Espurgatoire de Saint Patrice, showcasing her talent in translating and storytelling. Her lais are characterized by adventure, romance, and an ominous atmosphere, focusing on the characters' feelings rather than the plot itself. Marie's works like Le Laustic, Le Bisclavret, Guigemer, and Yonec exemplify themes of love, betrayal, fate, and retribution.
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Marie de France 1155-1189
Biography Earliest female poet in France Her name Educated Henry II Normandy area
Works Lais (1155-1170) 12 lais Prefaced with the information that she is translating many of them from Breton lais for the first time. Ysopet (1167-1189) First known translation of Aesop s Fables into French Espurgatoirede Saint Patrice (1189) Legend of the Purgatory of Saint Patrick Journey through purgatory
What is a lai exctly? Meant to be sung Octosyllabic rhyming couplets Characterized by adventure and romance Elements of the fantastic Marie de France s particular lais: Romance with an ominous atmosphere Focus on feelings of the characters rather than the story itself
Le Laustic Lanval Knights of St. Malo Knight of King Arthur s court Rossignol Secret love Fate of love Accusations of homosexuality Why this is characteristic of Marie de France. Loss of love Reuniting of the lovers
Le Bisclavret Les Deux Amants Werewolf curse Set in Normandy Barron of Brittany Mountain test Clothing Secret affair Wife s betrayal Potion King s protection Fate Revenge The Mountain of the Two Lovers
Guigemer Yonec Knight of Brittany Rich landowner Disinterested in love Imprisoned 7 years Deer s curse Knight must prove faith Mysterious ship Razors Locked up Blood trail Chastity belt Ring & Sword Meriaduc Son: Yonec
Conclusion Reoccurring themes in the lais of Marie de France.
Works Cited Bishop, Morris and Rivers, Kenneth T., eds. A Survey of French Literature. Newburyport: Focus Publishing, 2005. Print. Les Lais De Marie De France. Trans. Paul Tuffrau. Paris. 1959 The Broadway Anthology of British Literature. Peterborough: Broadview Press, 2011 Print.
