1. Marie de France 1155-1189

2. Biography Earliest female poet in France Her name Educated Henry II Normandy area

3. 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 Espurgatoire de Saint Patrice (1189) Legend of the Purgatory of Saint Patrick Journey through purgatory

4. 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

5. Le Laustic Lanval Knight of King Arthur’s court Secret love Accusations of homosexuality Loss of love Reuniting of the lovers Knights of St. Malo Rossignol Fate of love Why this is characteristic of Marie de France.

6. Le BisclavretLes Deux Amants Werewolf curse Barron of Brittany Clothing Wife’s betrayal King’s protection Revenge Set in Normandy Mountain test Secret affair Potion Fate “The Mountain of the Two Lovers”

7. Guigemer Yonec Knight of Brittany Disinterested in love Deer’s curse Mysterious ship Locked up Chastity belt Meriaduc Rich landowner Imprisoned 7 years Knight must prove faith Razors Blood trail Ring & Sword Son: Yonec

8. Conclusion Reoccurring themes in the lais of Marie de France.

9. 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.