The Unexpected Dimensions of “Lanval”
The time period spanning from the fall of Rome in the fifth century all the way to the end of the fifteenth century is what most refer to as the Middle Ages. This period in time lasted nearly a thousand years and with it many great works of literature came about. Some which are still studied in the modern day. These works were passed down orally from one generation to the next as many were illiterate, books at the time were mainly written in Latin, and only people with high and respected positions were able to read and speak in Latin. Even so medieval literature had many common themes that carried through and personified important characteristics of the medieval culture. Some of the most popular themes included King Author, knights, the code of chivalry, and religion. And while “Lanval” -a poem written by Marie de France in the late twelfth century- exhibited many of these themes and characteristics it was still quite different from what you’d expect to find during the Middle Ages. Not only was “Lanval” written by a woman which was rare in itself, but “Lanval” also differed in the fact that its themes mostly centered around subjects such as acceptance, loyalty, love that conflicted with society, sexuality, a female heroine, and the reversal of roles between male and female characters. All central themes which were basically unheard of at the time and made “Lanval” an unexpected surprise to its’ audience. “Beowulf”, “The Canterbury Tales”, and “The History of the Kings of Britain” are some of the most well known and acclaimed examples of medieval literature. “Beowulf” tells the tale of a young Geatish warrior Beowulf, who is the personification of the heroic code. His story tells how through bravery, strength, and loyalty he is able to defeat three great monsters, his time as a wise king, and his willingness to sacrifice for his ideals and the safety of others. “The Canterbury Tales” is a collection of twenty-two stories being told by a group of people who are heading to Canterbury to receive the blessings of St. Thomas à Becket. Along the way each person tells a tale which gives an inside look into their personalities, and a representation of the people of the time in different social and class standings. Starting from the reign of Brutus and ending all the way to that of Cadwallo “The History of the Kings of Britain” does exactly what is says. It is a collection of the history of kings who have reigned over Britain, what characteristics has made a great or terrible king and how simple matters of love, jealousy, and betrayal can not only bring a king to their knees, but their nation along with them. All these works have …show more content…
The relationship between him and the mysterious unnamed woman, and most importantly the role she carries out at the end of the poem are very unexpected. After only casting his eyes upon her “dressed only in her shift” (David, 156) Lanval instantly becomes enthralls with her stating that “there is nothing you might command, within my power, that I would not do, whether foolish or wise. I shall obey your command; for you, I shall abandon everyone.” (David, 156). In Lanval’s first meeting with the unknown woman we see the power that female sexuality has over men though it is not represented in a negative way, as her love for Lanval is shown as being pure and honest. We also see that Lanval has been caught between his world and that of his Lover’s. She tells him to keep their love a secret because she realizes that a love like theirs is not something that can easily be integrated into the strict society in which Lanval lives in. And Lanval honors this request, but the queen tries to seduce Lanval we see female sexuality represented negatively as she tries to commit the act of adultery. And when she is unable to seduce him through her sexuality and power she makes a personal assault by questioning his sexuality which wounds Lanval’s pride and forces him to reveal his relations with the unknown woman while also foolishly lashing out against the queen and insulting
The time period spanning from the fall of Rome in the fifth century all the way to the end of the fifteenth century is what most refer to as the Middle Ages. This period in time lasted nearly a thousand years and with it many great works of literature came about. Some which are still studied in the modern day. These works were passed down orally from one generation to the next as many were illiterate, books at the time were mainly written in Latin, and only people with high and respected positions were able to read and speak in Latin. Even so medieval literature had many common themes that carried through and personified important characteristics of the medieval culture. Some of the most popular themes included King Author, knights, the code of chivalry, and religion. And while “Lanval” -a poem written by Marie de France in the late twelfth century- exhibited many of these themes and characteristics it was still quite different from what you’d expect to find during the Middle Ages. Not only was “Lanval” written by a woman which was rare in itself, but “Lanval” also differed in the fact that its themes mostly centered around subjects such as acceptance, loyalty, love that conflicted with society, sexuality, a female heroine, and the reversal of roles between male and female characters. All central themes which were basically unheard of at the time and made “Lanval” an unexpected surprise to its’ audience. “Beowulf”, “The Canterbury Tales”, and “The History of the Kings of Britain” are some of the most well known and acclaimed examples of medieval literature. “Beowulf” tells the tale of a young Geatish warrior Beowulf, who is the personification of the heroic code. His story tells how through bravery, strength, and loyalty he is able to defeat three great monsters, his time as a wise king, and his willingness to sacrifice for his ideals and the safety of others. “The Canterbury Tales” is a collection of twenty-two stories being told by a group of people who are heading to Canterbury to receive the blessings of St. Thomas à Becket. Along the way each person tells a tale which gives an inside look into their personalities, and a representation of the people of the time in different social and class standings. Starting from the reign of Brutus and ending all the way to that of Cadwallo “The History of the Kings of Britain” does exactly what is says. It is a collection of the history of kings who have reigned over Britain, what characteristics has made a great or terrible king and how simple matters of love, jealousy, and betrayal can not only bring a king to their knees, but their nation along with them. All these works have …show more content…
The relationship between him and the mysterious unnamed woman, and most importantly the role she carries out at the end of the poem are very unexpected. After only casting his eyes upon her “dressed only in her shift” (David, 156) Lanval instantly becomes enthralls with her stating that “there is nothing you might command, within my power, that I would not do, whether foolish or wise. I shall obey your command; for you, I shall abandon everyone.” (David, 156). In Lanval’s first meeting with the unknown woman we see the power that female sexuality has over men though it is not represented in a negative way, as her love for Lanval is shown as being pure and honest. We also see that Lanval has been caught between his world and that of his Lover’s. She tells him to keep their love a secret because she realizes that a love like theirs is not something that can easily be integrated into the strict society in which Lanval lives in. And Lanval honors this request, but the queen tries to seduce Lanval we see female sexuality represented negatively as she tries to commit the act of adultery. And when she is unable to seduce him through her sexuality and power she makes a personal assault by questioning his sexuality which wounds Lanval’s pride and forces him to reveal his relations with the unknown woman while also foolishly lashing out against the queen and insulting