Summary Of Lanval By Marie De France
The life cycle is a major subject of literature as old as perhaps humanity itself, with each society having a different view or expectations regarding trials and acceptance. “Lanval” by Marie de France is an allegory for the stages of life, beginning with conception and ending in death. These stages are exemplified through Lanval’s evolution from a lonely knight into a popular and generous member of society. The trials of adulthood are seen in his controversy with the court and king due to Lanval’s honor to his lover. Finally, Lanval enters the last stage, death, and is brought to paradise.
The first stage of life, birth and growth, are evident in the beginning of Lanval as the protagonist meets his lover and accepts her gifts before he returns …show more content…
In this chapter of his life he shows maturity when he is faced with many troubles. After leaving the lady, Lanval grows into a generous host that uses the wealth that he has acquired very well, as it says, “Lanval does honors in excess. / There’s no stranger or private friend / On whom Lanval does not spend” (206-208). His growing ability to function in society correlates with a child/teenager growing into adulthood. He begins to be accepted by those around him, including the knights who now realize their earlier mistake of shunning him. Sir Gawain invites him to join them in their excursion to the castle, where his problems begin to occur. Lanval’s growth is proven true when he is mature and keeps his word to his lover even when he is propositioned by the queen herself. His response to her original offer is one of an adult, citing his service to the king in his refusal. The beginning of his difficulties occurs when the queen insults him and he retaliates by revealing that he has a lover who would put the queen to shame. Lanval goes through a type of midlife crisis as he is accused of treason and then every time he is about to be judged, an interruption is made by beautiful women. Lanval proves his growth and maturity when, though “They came much nearer to perfection / Than did the queen, so people said,” he did not attempt to use them in order to save his life
The first stage of life, birth and growth, are evident in the beginning of Lanval as the protagonist meets his lover and accepts her gifts before he returns …show more content…
In this chapter of his life he shows maturity when he is faced with many troubles. After leaving the lady, Lanval grows into a generous host that uses the wealth that he has acquired very well, as it says, “Lanval does honors in excess. / There’s no stranger or private friend / On whom Lanval does not spend” (206-208). His growing ability to function in society correlates with a child/teenager growing into adulthood. He begins to be accepted by those around him, including the knights who now realize their earlier mistake of shunning him. Sir Gawain invites him to join them in their excursion to the castle, where his problems begin to occur. Lanval’s growth is proven true when he is mature and keeps his word to his lover even when he is propositioned by the queen herself. His response to her original offer is one of an adult, citing his service to the king in his refusal. The beginning of his difficulties occurs when the queen insults him and he retaliates by revealing that he has a lover who would put the queen to shame. Lanval goes through a type of midlife crisis as he is accused of treason and then every time he is about to be judged, an interruption is made by beautiful women. Lanval proves his growth and maturity when, though “They came much nearer to perfection / Than did the queen, so people said,” he did not attempt to use them in order to save his life