Summary Of The Twelfth Century By Marie De France s...

There are an abundance of stories about fairytales and a knightly men sweeping women off their feet and rescuing them. This has become a stereotype for the new world as before in earlier times. The male handles the financial circumstances; they are the ones that save the day when things are going horrible for the female. The knight in shining armor, for example, always saves the lady. This is shown in fairytales like Cinderella, written in the 17th century and Rapunzel, written in the 19th century. No matter what the problem is, the man has to save the day or else he is not a man. In Marie de France’s Lanval, written in the twelfth century, the witty lai satirically challenges the stereotypical roles of women. Evidently, every story does not contend male dominance. Also the other characters do not live up to their expectations either; falling short of their glory. The women in the story are given important roles, and gender roles and position roles are interchanged. Lanval por trays the best man in King Arthur’s court, possessing characteristics such as honesty and he â€Å"serves King Arthur very well† (France 122). Lanval deals with being overlooked by the king and for his generosity, bravery, and beauty is envied. Usually knightly men who carry themselves very well are put on a pedestal, with the highest honor and loved by everyone. Lanval receives no recognition and stoops into depression. The character is defined more by his weakness in monetary value, popularity, and