Bisclavret

When I read the characteristics of medieval romance stories in the nineteenth century, I saw that medieval romance derives mystery and suspense from supernatural elements. I have yet to read a Marie de France piece that involved the supernatural, until now. Bisclavret was all about the supernatural. In the beginning of the lai, Marie de France uses the term Garwolf as another name for Bisclavret. However she describes some differences between Bisclavret and a typical Werewolf and I thought these differences were interesting. For one, Bisclavret can only change back into a human when he has his clothes handy. Without his clothes, he can not change back into a human and stays a wolf forever. There was also no mention of a full moon, a typical feature of a classic werewolf story.

Something else that I found interesting was in Marie's works that I have read thus far, there was always a strong female role. In this story, the only woman being mentioned was disloyal and cruel. She betrayed Bisclavret and left to marry another knight. I have noticed in many works by Marie de France that karma plays a major role, and it certainly did in Bisclavret. The wife at the end of the story gets exiled and the children that the wife had soon after, were born without noses. Once again, Marie de France uses irony and humor to satisfy her readers.