Marie de France devotes a special place to the disclosure of the concept of love and how it happens. Her works often feature selfish love, as well as love sincere and genuine. Such a true love occurs between Guigemar and the Queen. Their love is presented as an external force destined by fate that cannot be resisted. This is confirmed by the words “But let him who has found a constant lover prize her above rubies, and serve her with loyal service, being altogether at her will. Guigemar loved in this fashion, and therefore Love came swiftly to his aid.” (de France, 2020, p. 14). Moreover, the author does not condemn the Queen, although her relationship with Guigemar can be called treason because she was married to an old jealous king.
The author does not portray this as betrayal because the Queen does not love her husband for imprisoning her in the castle and not allowing her to leave without his permission. “He is jealous beyond all measure; therefore it is that I see you now. By reason of his jealousy he has shut me fast between high walls, entered by one narrow door, with an ancient priest to keep the key. May God requite him for his deed” (de France, 2020, p. 11). Their marriage has no tenderness, and she has not found her true love yet.
Guigemar, despite being brave and valiant, avoids love all his life until he is wounded by his own arrow and cursed by the doe he hurt. By this, the author emphasizes that life without love is impossible. Readers do not know if Guigemar’s initial rejection of love was a selfish choice or just a coincidence, but fate leads him to love. As a symbol of the invisible hand of fate, there is a ship that, without any control, brings the knight to his future lover. Their love exemplifies pure, sincere, and true love created by fate. Therefore, the author justifies their love, a happy ending evidences this: the heroes are not punished by fate but are reunited after long separations and difficulties. They go through a lot but still retain their love.
Work Cited
de France, Marie. The Lais of Marie de France. Wyatt North Publishing, 2020.