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The Slanderous Wife (Le Fresne’s Mother)
Le Fresne is one of the slanderous wife’s twin daughters; she is La Codre’s sister. When Le Fresne is a newborn, her mother abandons her; she is wrapped in a rich brocade and left in a tree near a wealthy abbey. After the baby is found, the abbess names Le Fresne and raises her as a niece. She grows up beautiful, well-educated, and beloved by all. After she and Gurun become lovers, she even humbly accepts the fact that Gurun will ultimately marry a noblewoman instead of a supposed orphan like her. On Gurun’s wedding night with La Codre, Le Fresne even adorns their bed with her brocaded blanket, wanting them to have all the nicest things. This leads to her mother’s recognition of Le Fresne, Le Fresne’s reunion with her family, and her eventual marriage to Gurun instead of her twin sister.
Le Fresne Quotes in The Lais of Marie de France
The The Lais of Marie de France quotes below are all either spoken by Le Fresne or refer to Le Fresne. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
III. Le Fresne
Quotes
I have been my own judge: I spoke ill of all women. Did I not say that it has never been the case and we had never seen it happen that a woman has had two children unless she has known two men? Now I have twins and it seems that I am paying the price. Whoever slanders and lies about others does not know what retribution awaits him. […] To ward off shame, I shall have to murder one of the children: I would rather make amends with God than shame and dishonour myself.
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She brought her the ring and the lady looked at it carefully, easily recognizing it and the brocade. She had no doubt, for she now knew for sure that this was indeed her daughter, and, for all to hear, she said openly: “You are my daughter, fair friend!”
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Le Fresne Quotes in The Lais of Marie de France
The The Lais of Marie de France quotes below are all either spoken by Le Fresne or refer to Le Fresne. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
III. Le Fresne
Quotes
I have been my own judge: I spoke ill of all women. Did I not say that it has never been the case and we had never seen it happen that a woman has had two children unless she has known two men? Now I have twins and it seems that I am paying the price. Whoever slanders and lies about others does not know what retribution awaits him. […] To ward off shame, I shall have to murder one of the children: I would rather make amends with God than shame and dishonour myself.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
She brought her the ring and the lady looked at it carefully, easily recognizing it and the brocade. She had no doubt, for she now knew for sure that this was indeed her daughter, and, for all to hear, she said openly: “You are my daughter, fair friend!”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
