The Medieval Era was a time when a vast amount of questions outweighed accurate, rational answers. The advancement of knowledge was still a growing process, and the use of logic and reason was a foreign ideology to most people of the time. Instead of logic and reason, however, people of the Medieval Era looked towards the church for answers. With this system, anything unfamiliar or unorthodox was automatically determined to be evil or sinful. This toxic practice of presumption becomes a negative, catalyzing element in the life of Bisclavaret, a werewolf living during the Medieval Era. In “The Lay of the Werewolf,” the author, Marie de France, uses the elements of characterization, theme, and symbolism in order to illustrate the doctrine that
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Bisclavaret explains to his wife, “If I should lose my raiment, or even be marked as I quit my vesture, then a Werewolf I must go for all the days of my life” (597). Bisclavaret’s clothing represents his human nature; it separates his identities from a werewolf to a human and vice versa. His clothing also symbolizes the stability and control he has over his life as a desperate attempt to live a normal life. Marie de France describes another incident with Bisclavaret as she states, “Breaking from his bonds he sprang at the lady’s face, and bit the nose from her visage” (601). The lady Marie de France is referring to in this quote is none other than Bisclavaret’s wife. Bisclavaret bites off her nose to figuratively symbolize the downfall of his wife, as well as, highlight the root of all Bisclavaret’s unfortunate events. Bisclavaret’s wife was nosey in her ways, when she becomes suspicious about her husband’s strange absences. One critic, Paul Creamer, states, “The wife’s questioning is swift and incisive.” The hastiness of her actions illustrates her fear, as well as, her lack of compassion for husband’s situation. None the less, her nosiness leads to Bisclavaret explaining himself, sharing his secret, and reaping the negative consequences of her reaction. Symbolism allows the reader to dive into a text and look at …show more content…
The werewolf, Bisclavaret, possesses a composed and civilized manner that may not be assumed based on outward appearances alone. It is the true character of Bisclavaret that shines through his actions, however. This is a principle that can be applied to other characters in this short story, as well as, real life situations on a daily basis. Everyone wears a mask, but it is not until one gets a grasp on the true contents of a character, that one really understands their
Bisclavaret explains to his wife, “If I should lose my raiment, or even be marked as I quit my vesture, then a Werewolf I must go for all the days of my life” (597). Bisclavaret’s clothing represents his human nature; it separates his identities from a werewolf to a human and vice versa. His clothing also symbolizes the stability and control he has over his life as a desperate attempt to live a normal life. Marie de France describes another incident with Bisclavaret as she states, “Breaking from his bonds he sprang at the lady’s face, and bit the nose from her visage” (601). The lady Marie de France is referring to in this quote is none other than Bisclavaret’s wife. Bisclavaret bites off her nose to figuratively symbolize the downfall of his wife, as well as, highlight the root of all Bisclavaret’s unfortunate events. Bisclavaret’s wife was nosey in her ways, when she becomes suspicious about her husband’s strange absences. One critic, Paul Creamer, states, “The wife’s questioning is swift and incisive.” The hastiness of her actions illustrates her fear, as well as, her lack of compassion for husband’s situation. None the less, her nosiness leads to Bisclavaret explaining himself, sharing his secret, and reaping the negative consequences of her reaction. Symbolism allows the reader to dive into a text and look at …show more content…
The werewolf, Bisclavaret, possesses a composed and civilized manner that may not be assumed based on outward appearances alone. It is the true character of Bisclavaret that shines through his actions, however. This is a principle that can be applied to other characters in this short story, as well as, real life situations on a daily basis. Everyone wears a mask, but it is not until one gets a grasp on the true contents of a character, that one really understands their