The Role Of The Mysterious Demoiselle In Marie De France’S Lanval
In Marie de France’s Lanval, the character of the mysterious demoiselle rises above the patriarchal male-dominated society and stands alone, using her beauty and objectification through the male gaze to assert dominance over any situation and in the end save Lanval from certain death. The character of the demoiselle rejects the feudal values that determine the society of Lanval by subverting gender roles and refusing to remain a passive figure within the story.
At the beginning of the poem Lanval is seen as being ignored and forgotten by King Arthur despite doing nothing but serve him valiantly and faithfully. He is socially and economically marginalized and exists as an outsider. The other knights in the court were gifted with “good land, and wives to wed” (lines 16-17) but Lanval receives nothing. It is interesting to note that women are seen as gifts to the men, and Lanval is left out at receiving the gift of a wife. Instead, Lanval is sought out by a mysterious demoiselle; he does not go out looking for her, nor is she presented to him. This, in itself is a departure from the way women are first presented in the poem: as an object of exchange.
Lanval’s first encounter with the demoiselle is when she summons him to her tent and confesses that she loves him. Her initiative to seek out Lanval demonstrates her assertive nature, uncommon for women at that time period. The demoiselle asserts dominance over Lanval from the very beginning. An example of the demoiselle’s power over Lanval is that immediately after laying eyes on her, Lanval offers to obey her every command: submitting himself to her.
The demoiselle is described multiple times throughout Lanval as being more beautiful than any other woman, her appearance being almost otherworldly. She is also described to be very wealthy and acts as a provider for Lanval, in someways replacing the role of King Arthur in Lanval’s life. Her wealth and beauty are what allow her to control and manipulate the characters and have her exist towards the other characters as an almost higher power as evident in the following passage: Into the palace rode the lady; none there had ever seen such beauty. Before the king she stepped down, then she was well seen by everyone. Dismounted, she let fall her cloak for better view by all the folk.
The king, so courtly and well bred, rose up to greet her where she stood; the others honored her as well, and wished to serve the demoiselle. (lines 601–10)
In the lines described here, the demoiselle doesn't have to even speak a word to hold power over the King and his court. Her attractive appearance alone, is enough to wield power over the male characters. Early on in Lanval, the demoiselle seems to embody types of feudal values because she appears to exist almost as this fantasy woman perfectly made for Lanval, she uses her objectification as a tool to manipulate and control however, instead of existing merely as a sexual object. In doing this she is able to save Lanval, reversing the typical gender roles that see men as assertive active forces and women as passive and meek. The demoiselle is able to retain respect and authority without the connection of a powerful male figure. This is a juxtaposition to the Queen, who despite being a source of power in Lanval, has relatively no authority without King Arthur.
Despite being a woman, the demoiselle is not characterized as merely a sexual object bound within patriarchal society and feudal values but as arguably the most powerful character in Lanval, using her appearance, wealth and mystical otherworldliness to assert power and dominance over the other characters, even King Arthur himself.
