Analysis

The poem Bisclavret by Marie De France showcases both the humane and monstrous sides of a werewolf and how the two sides coexist, displaying how a werewolf is capable to interact with humans despite having the exterior of a monster. As a symbol of civilization and a sign of humanity in medieval times, clothing plays a significant part in depicting the werewolf's internal condition. The portrayal of the sense of humanity and monstrosity using clothing is displayed in the illustration from the Rochester Bestiary with the humane side of werewolves being illustrated in Bodleian Library MS. Douce 266 fol. 006b recto from Book of Hours and Topographia Hibernica respectively.

By putting on his garments in Bisclavret, the bisclavret can change from his wolf form back into a person. The act of the bisclavret putting on his clothes suggests that his mental state has shifted back to humanity since in mediaeval times, clothing was regarded as civil and expresses a sense of humanity. The illustration from Rochester Bestiary, which shows a man stripped of his garments striking two pebbles together as a treatment to convert the wolves back into humans, serves as more evidence for this claim. As clothes can transform a wolf into a human while the sensation of monster and humanity coexist inside them, the poem and the artwork both underline the significance of clothing in influencing both the physical and mental condition of the werewolves. "Royal MS 13 B VIII, f.18r" from Topographia Hibernica exemplifies the benevolent side of wolves by showing how they can converse with a human priest without being at all hostile. In the same way, Bodleian Library “MS. Douce 266 fol. 006b recto” from Book of Hours shows the way a wolf preaches to a flock of sheep – their stereotypically presumed prey – while standing on a pulpit, showcasing that wolves can be gentle creatures without yearning for destruction. However, only the illustration from Rochester Bestiary indicates that clothing plays a huge role in determining the transition between a monster and a human.

The poem Bisclavret and the illustration from Rochester Bestiary, which serves as the main artifact for this exhibition, both demonstrate how clothing plays a key role in the transformation between a monster's and a human's appearance and how both the humane and monstrous aspects coexist within one another. The passage from Bisclavret and the artefact that was selected to represent the monster show that, despite being forced to assume the wolf form after having his garments taken, the monster still retains his humanity and only becomes aggressively hideous when his vengeance consumes him. The bisclavret did not harm any other people, demonstrating that they still retain their humanity despite having the appearance of a werewolf, just as the artifact shows that in order for the wolves to transform back into their human forms, they will have to restrain themselves from eating human flesh for nine years. The poem and the artifact also highlight the significance of clothes as a type of civilization that enables werewolves to change their shape between a monster and a human while maintaining both human and monstrous qualities within.