Bisclavret the Werewolf Term Paper

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Bisclavret by Marie De France

The short work Bisclavret (The Werewolf) within Marie De France's Lais is a telling picture of the definitions of civility and even a glimpse into the chivalric ideal. Within the piece are many mentions of the definitions of the ideal of the positions, which the characters themselves are expected to uphold. Within the work there are many mentions of the definition of civility and responsibility. Bisclavret, defines duty and seeks only a return of his loyalty. It is clear that the mystery and magic of Brittany has encompassed his life. Defining his role as a nobleman is not only his honorable actions but also his appearance and both literally and metaphorically his clothing.

Bisclavret is the picture of the responsible knight, "a fine, handsome knight who behaved nobly...close to his lord...loved by all his neighbors." (Marie De France 92) He and his wife had mutual love for one another and he had only one failing, he often left for three days at a time and no one had any idea of where he was or what he was doing. The secret of his whereabouts and actions, once disclosed are the mark of his undoing for fear overcomes his wife and she betrays him.

The wife's treason and the loss of the werewolf's clothing are reciprocal metaphors; both embody a loss of that civilizing force in life-symbolized at the surface level by apparel, at a deeper level by the love relationship-which saves humanity from perpetual servitude to its owner, amoral impulses, and allows it to engage in the satisfying social relationships enumerated in Marie's opening statement about protagonist. (Hanning & Ferrante 102-103)

When Bisclavret finally divulges his actions to his wife, after much begging on her part, the thought of bedding down with a, half man, werewolf is more than she can handle.

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It seems almost as sinister to her as he husband, man or beast carousing through the forest lacking clothing.

When he had told her everything, she asked further, whether he undressed or kept his clothes on [when he became a werewolf]. "Wife," he replied. "I go stark naked." "Tell me then for god's sake, where your clothes are," "That I will not tell you; for if I were to lose them, and then be discovered, I'd stay a werewolf forever. I'd be helpless until I got them back." (Marie De France 94)

Having this crucial information the wife uses her chivalric connection, the neighboring knight whose affections she has previously never returned, but who loves her greatly to take her leave of Bisclavret by stealing his clothing from their hiding place while he is transformed.

Being the good knight that he was though the situation turned itself around and as a werewolf he once again proved his loyalty to his lord the king by proving his love and loyalty to the king through proving, as a werewolf that he was sentient and wished to do no wrong, even as a beast,

Everyone was fond of him; he was noble and well behaved that he wished to do anything wrong. Regardless of where the king might go, Bisclavret never wanted to be separated from him; he always accompanied the king. The king became very much aware that the creature loved him. (Marie De France 97)

So, by becoming a tame house dog and companion he proved his honor.

It is a wise man who figures out the connection between the missing knight, now gone for more than a year and the wolf as he only attacks the new husband of his un-loyal wife and also his wife, whose nose he removes as his only act of carnage toward….....

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