Introduction

For my exhibit, I have chosen to study Bisclavret, a medieval werewolf featured in Marie De France’s “The Lais”. My selected passage – from lines 230-252 - describes Bisclavret’s vengeful attack on his ex-wife, a woman that betrayed him, highlighting his monstrous transformation and uncontrollable emotions. The artefact I chose, to highlight these themes, is the Capitoline she-wolf, representing the nurturing yet fierce nature of motherhood. My exhibit is centered around studying the intricate relationship between medieval monsters and love, focusing on Bisclavret’s transformative experiences and the themes of humanity, loyalty, and compassion. By examining the text’s portrayal of Bisclavret’s struggle and comparing it to the symbolism of the she-wolf statue, I aim to illuminate how monsters challenge traditional notions of love and empathy.