Analysis

The Duality of The Medieval Werewolf, Between The Human and Animal World

The Werewolf and The Metaphor

One of the main narratives behind “Bisclavret” is how it illustrated the complex interplay between human and animalistic instincts. Because it takes place in the medieval era, it offers some profound insights into the era’s attitudes towards the wolf, which often symbolizes anger and violence as well as strength and charisma. The focus on the clothes being the main factor of his transformation also aligns with the medieval thoughts of werewolves, as almost all werewolf artworks depict them without clothes.

The Transformation in Bisclavret

The transformation into a werewolf is more than a physical change; it symbolizes the ongoing tension between his human mindset and the untamed animalistic mindset. This transformation is part of the crucial element in the boundaries and shifts between human morality and the primal, animalistic nature of the “beast” inside him, which he is able to let out during the transformations. In his werewolf form, Bisclavret was able to retain his noble qualities and his rational thoughts. This challenges the traditional depiction of werewolves as only monstrous and savages. His behaviour was marked by moments of gentleness and loyalty, which further proves that Bisclavret expanded the werewolf as the normal “furious beast” but incorporated a deeper understanding of his human conditions and the werewolf’s intrinsic connection to the wild.

The Medieval Perspectives on Wolves and Symbolisms

In medieval societies, wolves have two symbolic roles: their monstrous strength and their wild charisma. They were feared predators that had the strength of a monster but yet were admired for their image (Koosmen, 2018). From Bisclavret, the werewolf also was depicted as a creature that possess their own wisdom, this reflects on how the medieval era of both respecting and fearing the wild.

The Medieval bestiaries and folklores were rich with depictions of wolves, often included with moral and sometimes religious symbolisms. These texts provide a window into how people back then understood and related to these animals. The portrayal of wolves in these sources often includes a mixture of observation, myth, and allegory, illustrating a complex relationship between humans and wolves (Fahey, 2017). Comparing these depictions with the portrayal of the werewolf in “Bisclavret” shows intriguing similarities and contrasts, highlighting the nature of wolves as having both real and symbolic values.