Introduction

This exhibit follows Marie De France’s lai, Bisclavret, which is a narrative about a werewolf, loyalty, and love. In this lai, a man mysteriously disappears from his home for three days a week, every week. His wife worries everytime and finally decides to confront him about it. To his love, he revealed information that he trusted nobody else with. He explained that for these nights, he turns into a werewolf and that his linens are the key to his transformation back into human form. She was horrified at this news and told another knight about it. She and the other knight schemed to steal his clothing so that he is unable to return to his normal form, essentially trapping him in his werewolf body. This would allow the two of them to be together. They carry out the plan and the man becomes stuck as a Bisclavret until the King comes along. The King sees human-like qualities in him and takes him under his wing. Bisclavret, while loyal and affectionate to the King, is aggressive towards the knight who has stolen his wife. He attacks him and bites the nose off of his unfaithful wife. Eventually, Bisclavret's wife confesses to her betrayal and his clothing is returned to him. The king is relieved to see that the Bisclavret turns back into a knight and he expels the woman from the land. She goes on to start a family with the knight she betrayed her husband with, and all of daughters were born without noses.