Lay le Freine Critics Flashcards
When was it written?
A Middle English translation dated from the early 14th century
Is it similar to Le Fresne?
German critic Theo Stemmler states that it is written in ‘the same tradition of the original’
How was adultery treated?
Adultery was severely condemned under canon law, and customary law overlooked a husband murdering his wife and her lover if he killed them both in that moment
Were they written for different audiences?
Whilst Marie de France writes for an aristocratic audience,8 Lay le Freine is a more readable story that was written to appeal to more than one class, meaning he places less emphasis on courtly conduct
Derek Pearsall suggests it would have appealed to “the aspirant middle-class citizen, perhaps a wealthy merchant”
How the intention of the characters differ?
Spearing contends that Guroun’s decision to marry for religious reasons does not have a greater meaning other than to ‘reveal a stronger sense of religious propriety’
The explanatory prologue?
It is attached to two manuscript versions of Sir Orfeo, though not in the same manuscript as Lay le Freine
What was the fabliaux?
A genre which flourished in the 13th century, depicting short comic tales of adulterers who selfishly pursued their pleasures
The poet does not believe their love to be sexual?
Spearing contends that it was ’almost as though ”mistress” were a French category the validity of which [the English poet] did not recognise’
The symbol of her name?
Lee Ramsey notes that ash does not bear and it is used for Le Fresne because she cannot give Guroun a legitimate heir, creating irony when her lineage is discovered
Dissent on twins being a sign of adultery?
This popular belief was condemned as ignorant by many - see Genesis 38:24 which makes the superstition despicable
What were the consequences for child abandonment?
It only carried consequences if the abandonment was known and then only for the father
There were stricter laws for infanticide, requiring penance, which ranged from a lifetime of monastic living to a year of bread and water fasting
Is the marriage between Guroun and Le Codre akoy?
The laws of consanguinity would identify Guroun’s marriage to Le Freine’s sister as an act of incest. Much written discussion surrounding the issue of abandoned children stresses the possibility that incest can result because bloodlines are not known.
