HUM 2020 FSCJ Humanities Marie of France Story Question

I’m working on a humanities discussion question and need an explanation to help me understand better.

• Consider the fairytale aspect of the “Guigemar” storyline. Describe the magical aspects and what they mean for the relationship between Guigemar and the Lady.

• Guigemar’s unnamed lady represents a certain literary type: the ‘mal mariée’ or unhappily married wife who is mistreated by her husband. How is that theme explored in other stories?

• In “Yonec,” how is the relationship with her lover described as though to appear sanctioned ‘by God?’ To what purpose?

• In “Guigemar” and “Yonec”, Marie seems to take the side of the woman. There are at least two stories, however, where this is not the case. In both “Bisclavet” and “Equitan,” the punishment of the wife and subsequent rehabilitation of the husband is the focus. What are the differences in the relationships in these four stories? What does this discrepancy suggest about Marie’s attitude toward love?

• Note the animal imagery in “Bisclavet.” Which character(s) act in a civilized or “courtly” manner? Which behave in fierce of bestial ways? How might any of the stories correspond with or contradict Pope Innocent III’s depiction of humanity?

• Read the handout titled Sex before Sexuality and use at least three of the different types of love to describe love in Marie’s stories.