Response to misuse of images

The Lais of Marie de France and Les Fabliaux are French oral traditions that were written down around the 12th century but must have been passed down via jongleurs or minstrels for many years prior. The lais were written by a lady of the Norman court who identified herself only as Marie. Her Lais were dedicated to a king (assumed to be Henry II) and written in French for a French-speaking noble class in England. Her themes often have to do with forbidden love and mismatched marriages but in the end propriety prevails--whether the married woman who is in love with another stays with her husband or the unfaithful wife is banished and her good, honest husband can live his life in peace.

England and France in the 12th century were both Catholic, God-fearing nations yet despite the commandment given to Moses in the book of Exodus, the middle ages saw the creation of some of the most ornate and magnificent churches and cathedrals the world has ever known--complete with depictions of virtually every biblical character in sculpture, painting, and stained glass. Perhaps this is because these "dark ages" were a time when people had lost touch with the true meaning of the Bible, but I feel it is more likely a result of the availability of more diverse interpretations, the idea that the same text can have multiple meanings and should therefore be questioned and considered rather than taken at face value.

In Marie de France's "Bisclavret" the prevailing truth is that "the real" is not always as it appears. This idea is communicated most obviously through the main character, Bisclavret who is a loup-garou or werewolf. When he is a man, he is an honorable noble married to a seemingly honorable and loving wife. When the wife finds out that her husband is a werewolf, she betrays him and her true character is revealed. When the king discovers Bisclavret, on the other hand, he sees nothing more than an unusual animal--he is unaware that despite his appearance, Bisclavret is really a man and his wife is really an abomination. Only when the pieces come together and the truth about Bisclavret and his wife are revealed to the king does he really see the true nature of these two individuals--because they are not what they appear to be. During the climax when the wolf Bisclavret attacks his deceitful wife, he bites off her nose, and to prevent future confusion regarding this woman, all of the females of her lineage from then on are born without noses. This way these otherwise attractive and seemingly kindhearted women will always be seen for what they truly are: thoroughly ugly, inside and out.

The Fabliaux are similar oral traditions written down by unknown poets, designed to present humorous charicatures of the clergy and the lower classes (depending on the audience) rather than share morals and tales of romance. In "Brunain, the Priest's Cow," the humor lay in the priest's selfish interpretation of the Bible and the peasant's gullible response. This relates to my theory that images are not a negative force in society. Though this fabliau doesn't demonstrate that images are a powerful means of communicating ideas, it suggests that the Bible can be interpreted to further one's own goals, and person should make their own decisions regarding God, reality, and appearances.