Bisclavret the Werewolf

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. 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 any human. He's never touched anyone, or shown any wickedness, except to this woman. By the faith that I owe you, he has some grudge against her, and against her husband as well.

This is the wife of the knight whom you used to like so much, and who's been missing for so long-we don't know what became of him...make her tell what she knows! (Marie de France 99) The man-beast revolts only against those who have wronged him and wishes only to return to his former good apprence. Once the wise man tells the king of this connection between the beast and the missing knight the king consents to torture the now nose less wife and she confesses all.

The point most notably connected with the appearance of a man as his coining grace follows as they send the wife on an errand to return with the knights missing clothing so he might transform back into the man that he has proven himself worthy to be. The king demanded the clothes;...when they were put down in front of him he didn't even seem to notice them;. "My lord you are not doing it right.

The beast wouldn't under any circumstances, in order to get rid of his animal form, put on his clothes in front of you;...he's just to ashamed to do it here." (Maria De France 99) So, as the wise man suggests they lead the beast and his clothes into the chambers of the king and then return to find the knight asleep in the king's own bed. The king quickly returns the knight to his former state and banishes his wife and her new husband.

Again the story reiterates the ideal of decency as the now nose-less woman bears daughters marked with her betrayal, and also missing their noses. So, the legacy of her fear and ignominy follows through to the next generation. Probably the most telling of all the messages within this work is the redemption from shame of the man who by unknown means has become a beast. Early in the work the wife's greatest fear is that the escapades of her straying husband includes a lover, probably a much more likely.