The Lais of Marie de FranceThe leading edition of the work of the earliest known French woman poet—the subject of Lauren Groff’s bestselling novel Matrix Marie de France (fl. late twelfth century) is the earliest known French woman poet and her lais—stories in verse based on Breton tales of chivalry and romance—are among the finest of the genre. Recounting the trials and tribulations of lovers, the lais inhabit a powerfully realized world where very real human protagonists act out their lives against fairy-tale elements of magical beings, potions and beasts. De France takes a subtle and complex view of courtly love, whether telling the story of the knight who betrays his fairy mistress or describing the noblewoman who embroiders her sad tale on the shroud for a nightingale killed by a jealous and suspicious husband. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. |
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Common terms and phrases
abbess adventures Asez aveit barons beautiful bele beloved bien Bisclavret Bretons Brittany called castle cele Chaitivel chamber chamberlain chanson de geste chevaler Chevrefoil Chrétien de Troyes composed a lay courtly dame damsel daughter Deus Amanz distressed dunt Edited Eliduc English Equitan Fables fabliau fair Fresne gave genre girl grant Guigemar Guilliadun heard honour husband k'il king kissed knight lady Lais of Marie lamented land Lanval Laüstic Le Fresne leave lodging lord lovers maiden Marie de Boulogne Marie de France Marie's Lais medieval literature Milun narrative never noble Old French poems Prologue qu'il queen reïne reis replied returned ring romance s'amie s'en seneschal sent speak spoke story summoned tell told took tournament translation Tristram vassal wanted wife wise wish woman worthy wounded write to Penguin Yonec young
Popular passages
Page 41 - Dunc ad espandues ses flurs. (w. 1-8) (Anyone who has received from God the gift of knowledge and true eloquence has a duty not to remain silent: rather should one be happy to reveal such talents. When a truly beneficial thing is heard by many people, it then enjoys its first blossom, but if it is widely praised its flowers are in full bloom, p.