What is the theme in The Lais of Marie de France by Marie de France?

Love and Suffering is the major theme of the stories. The ideal of love is often equated with suffering in Marie's lais. In each instance where characters love one another, some kind of ordeal must be completed before they can truly share their love. If this ordeal can be overcome, the characters can live happily forever after. If they cannot overcome it, their love becomes tragic, but is heightened because of their suffering.