Point of View

Marie is a woman composing her poetry at a time when most authors are male. Her lais sometimes reflect her point of view as a woman by portraying female characters who are strong of character and manage to take control of their destinies despite being trapped by circumstances. Marie's lais are often sympathetic to the position of the female characters. In Equitan, for instance, Equitan's lover is at first reluctant for fear that he will soon tire of her and move on to other women. This is a frank assessment of love from a distinctly female point of view. Marie's male characters do not display such depth when it comes to matters of love.

Marie is also a member of the court society of her day, and her lais are composed to entertain other courtiers. Her tales of kings, knights, and damsels reflect the courtly tradition...