The concept of femininity and feminist values have been perceived throughout literature in a variety of ways. When interpreting specifically the similarities and differences between female characters in The Wife’s Lament and Lanval by Marie de France, the female role upholds both the image of femininity in this time, as well as the trajectory of both poems. The author of The Wife’s Lament is unknown, but is obviously written with a female voice, perspective, and identity. The speaker of this poem being a woman, as well as Marie de France being the author of Lanval creates an interesting dynamic when considering how the female voice is integrated in their stories when done by a woman. Comparatively, the speakers for The Wife’s Lament and Queen Guinevere are quite different, yet similarities can be found in their
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This causes readers to see Queen Guinevere as just that, merely a villain who causes trouble for Lanval, making her the enemy. However, in The Wife’s Lament, the reader is more inclined to favor the woman, and pity her. Overall, these pieces are complex when deciding whether they encourage or discourage female independence. The speaker of The Wife’s Lament can be perceived as quite weak because of her inability to take control of her life. From a feminist perspective, regardless of her exile, the overwhelming feeling of loneliness should not come primarily from being separated from her husband, but also possibly friends, family, and civilization. Although the narrator tells us she had, “Few dear ones, devoted friends,” her main feeling of loss and sadness stems from her husband (114). Regardless of the lack of these factors, especially her husband, she should be able to find a part of herself she never would have before living a life entirely revolved around the worth her husband gave
This causes readers to see Queen Guinevere as just that, merely a villain who causes trouble for Lanval, making her the enemy. However, in The Wife’s Lament, the reader is more inclined to favor the woman, and pity her. Overall, these pieces are complex when deciding whether they encourage or discourage female independence. The speaker of The Wife’s Lament can be perceived as quite weak because of her inability to take control of her life. From a feminist perspective, regardless of her exile, the overwhelming feeling of loneliness should not come primarily from being separated from her husband, but also possibly friends, family, and civilization. Although the narrator tells us she had, “Few dear ones, devoted friends,” her main feeling of loss and sadness stems from her husband (114). Regardless of the lack of these factors, especially her husband, she should be able to find a part of herself she never would have before living a life entirely revolved around the worth her husband gave