Answer to Question #267295 in History for kiki

Question

 Note the animal imagery in “Bisclavet.” Which character(s) act in a civilized or “courtly” manner? Which behave in fierce of bestial ways? How might any of the stories correspond with or contradict Pope Innocent III’s depiction of humanity?

Answer 1

In Marie de France's "Bisclavret", there is a lot of animal imagery. Characters that act in a courtly manner include: Bisclavret, who is trapped as a werewolf but is noble, docile and hashuman-like behavior, the king in Bisclavret, who remains loyal to Bisclavret even after he turns bestial, and the wise servant of the king, who helps him realize the wolf pet is possibly Biclavret. Characters that behave in bestial ways include Bisclavret's disloyal wife and the knight pursuing her. The stories are in line with Pope Innocent III's depiction of humanity where men strive for riches, pleasures and honors; and these lead to immorality, pleasures to shame and honors of vanity.