Bisclavret Analytical Essay

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As the tale moves on the woman becomes afraid of her husbands hidden secret. She goes to a former lover for help in escaping him and for protection. She is shamed for doing so even though she never agreed into this life with a werewolf husband. The husband is even forgiven by the king for showing that he begged for mercy humbly. Even while keeping this life changing secret from his wife he is still not at fault. Even when she felt as though she was in danger it was not acceptable that she went to another man for protection. For this she was brutally punished by her husband.

“When Bisclavret saw her approach, no one could restrain him. He dashed towards her like a madman. Just hear how successfully he took his revenge. He tore the nose right off her face.” (pg.71)

Here the wife has been brutally punished by her husband who is hee described as a “madman”. In this situation the woman is able to leave her husband when he is unstable. Even in this situation the wife is still the one who receives the most damage to her being and is still unable to separate herself from him.

Throughout this whole tale there is obvious poke at gender roles throughout the twelfth century. The story reflects in many ways how women were treated during this time. Overall showing that they were often trapped and then blamed for a failing marriage or one filled with secrets. It begins to speak to how women were unable to leave their husbands as well during this time period, only able to divorce when he has left her or he is mentally ill. Generally spoken to is how the women were at fault for a problem in the marriage which begins to reflect the real world situation.