Chevrefoil

In Chevrefoil Marie de France uses the story of Tristham and Isuet. If you have no prior knowledge to the story you may find yourself confused with Marie de France’s story, mainly the ending. The lai, per usual of Marie de France, contains adultery and betrayal. In the lai you are not given information as to why the Queen, Isuet, seeks a lover against her King which I found strange. In a sense it is heroic that Tristham would risk his death to see his lover again even though he has been banned from Cornwall by the King himself. In my opinion this lai should have been extended and more detail should have been provided from Marie de France. The use of the honeysuckle and hazel nut symbolizing Tristham and Isuet was intriguing. In all I found this lai amusing yet confusing.