Marriage in a Man’s World

Marie de Frances epic poem Lanval is an outstanding work of satire that pokes sport at the societal norms of the authors time, including government and the institution of marriage. though she never directly states it, de France paints marriage at the court level as a farce, a facade, and an governing body of convenience rather than passion, love, or commitment.Marie de France wastes no time in laying the groundwork for the subtext of this poem. Within the first fewer stanzas, as she paints a picture of the great and noble King Arthur, she manages to drop off in a reference to King Arthur providing his Round Table members with wives as gifts. She mentions these gifts in the same breath as lands, which suggests the King views women as prop and the institution of marriage as a kind of purchase agreement. The nontextual matter here is in the subtlety with which de France inserts this subversive idea into what seems like a simple description of a mans virtues.The author reinforces h er arguing on marriage specifically the sexist nature of marriage and relationships at the time with the introduction of the mysterious, wealthy and sightly maiden. The maiden acts as a caricature of a male fantasy, approaching him out of nowhere with the endure of free love and devotion. Only her physical and financial features atomic number 18 praised, and when Lanval agrees to her terms, she straight off allows him to sleep with her. Lanval has found himself in the perfect situation sex and wealth from a beautiful woman, and all he has to do is not find their relationship.It is not long before Lanvals loyalty is put to the runnel and de France puts another nail in the coffin of marriage. King Arthurs wife, the coffin nail, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that that she is married, offers herself to Lanval. The author treats this as though a cigaret coming on to a ennoble was common practice, even expected. When Lanval denies her wish, the male monarch is incense d one gets the idea that she is no stranger to such an arrangement and not used to being turned down. When Lanval professes his love for his fantasy maiden, he does so to disprove the Queens suggestion that he is homosexual.As one would expect, King Arthur is extremely angry when he finds out what has happened in the midst of Lanval and the Queen, though the version he hears is not the whole truth. Arthur vows to bring the knight to justice in court, which is heavily s representationed in the Kings favor. However, when he brings the charges against Lanval he fails to mention that Lanval attempted to sleep with his wife. Instead, he focuses on Lanvals statement that his lovers maidens were fairer than the Queen. As it seems logical that King Arthur would be far more upset with the idea of Lanval sleeping with his wife than discourse these words, readers get the idea that possibly King Arthur does not believe the Queens accusations. Perhaps he knows and ignores the Queens unfaithfu l ways, and perhaps he is guilty of the same behavior.After a series of pathetic happenings in which the male members of the court are nearly put into trances by a series of half naked maidens on horseback, Lanvals beautiful maiden comes to his aid. Upon witnessing her beauty, all side with Lanval immediately, King Arthur included. By pardoning this man who has purportedly wronged the Queen, King Arthur gives insight into his priorities. Since the mystery maiden is far more physically attractive and wealthy than the Queen had ever been, there was no way Lanval could have made such an advance on the Queen. And even if he said the things he said, he spoke the truth. In this comical eddy by de France, the King is more than willing to put aside his respect and the honor of his wife for an attractive stranger.Marie de France makes her final comment on the male-female, love-marriage customs with the image of Lanval leaping onto the back of the maidens horse and move into the distanc e. Clearly, de France is turning the typical boy-rescues-girl scenario upside down, and perhaps is suggesting that things in her time are out of hand and need some strong women to turn things around.