Lais · Character

Marie de France

The poet-narrator who appears in the prologue.

minor

Also known as Marie, Dame Marie

First appearance: Prologue by Way of Dedication

Marie de France shows up with force in Lais. The page is where that presence becomes real.

The author and narrator of the Lais, who frames the stories with her own reflections on love and storytelling.

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In Lais: The author and narrator of the Lais, who frames the stories with her own reflections on love and storytelling. Later, in Prologue by Way of Dedication: The author and narrator, who dedicates her collection of…

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Character Web

8 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Bisclavaret's narrative circle
Protagonist
Lovers and tragic knights

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

In "The Lay of Milon," the climax occurs when the lady sends her ring and message to Milon, initiating their s…

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In the story

Marie de France appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Lais
The author and narrator of the Lais, who frames the stories with her own reflections on love and storytelling.
Prologue by Way of Dedication
The author and narrator, who dedicates her collection of Lais to a noble king.
The Lay of Gugemar
The narrator who introduces the tale and defends her craft against envious critics.
The Lay of the Dolorous Knight
Narrator who recounts hearing the lay from a minstrel and identifies the setting as Nantes, Brittany.
The Lay of Eliduc
The narrator who recounts the ancient Breton lay, emphasizing the story's truth and the fates of the three lovers.
The Lay of the Nightingale
Narrator of the lay, introducing the tale as a Breton harper's song.
The Lay of Sir Launfal
The narrator who tells the lay of Sir Launfal, concluding with the knight's disappearance to Avalon.
The Lay of the Two Lovers
Narrator who recounts the lay of the two lovers, attributing its origin to the Bretons.
The Lay of the Ash Tree
Narrator of the lay, presenting the story of Frêne's abandonment and rise.
The Lay of the Honeysuckle
Narrator of the lay, recounting the story as sung by minstrels and written by scribes.
The Lay of Equitan
The narrator who recounts the lay of Equitan and draws a moral lesson from the tale.
The Lay of Yonec
The narrator who introduces the lay and tells the story of Yonec.

Chapter companion notes

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See Marie de France in Prologue by Way of Dedication

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