The Status of Marrige during Marie de Fance`s time as she relates it in her poem `Laval.`

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Marriage in a Man 's World

Marie de France 's epic poem Lanval ' is an outstanding work of satire that pokes fun at the societal norms of the author 's 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 arrangement 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 few stanzas , as she paints a picture of the great and noble King Arthur , she manages to slide 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 property and the institution of marriage as a kind of purchase agreement . The art here is in the subtlety with which de France inserts this subversive idea into what seems like a simple of a man 's virtues

The author reinforces her statement on marriage - specifically the sexist nature of marriage and relationships at the time - with the introduction of the mysterious , wealthy and beautiful maiden . The maiden acts as a caricature of a male fantasy , approaching him out of nowhere with the offer of free love and devotion . Only her physical and financial features are praised , and when Lanval agrees to her terms , she immediately 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 acknowledge their relationship

It is not long before Lanval 's loyalty is put to the test and de France puts another nail in the coffin of marriage . King Arthur 's wife , the Queen , apparently unconcerned with the fact that that she is married offers herself to Lanval . The author treats this as though a Queen coming on to a knight was common practice , even expected . When Lanval denies her wish , the Queen is incensed 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 Queen 's suggestion that he is homosexual

As one would expect , King Arthur is extremely angry when he finds out what has happened between 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 swayed in the King 's 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 Lanval 's statement that his lover 's 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...