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The Seneschal’s Wife
Le Fresne’s mother is described as an arrogant, envious woman. When a neighbor gives birth to twin sons, Le Fresne’s mother is so jealous that she slanders the woman by claiming that she must have gotten pregnant by two different men. However, her own words come back to haunt her when she, too, bears twins later that year. Ashamed, she plans to abandon one of the infant girls in hopes that somebody else will raise the child. When her other daughter, La Codre, grows up and marries neighboring lord Gurun, she has a shocking reunion with Le Fresne in the newlyweds’ chamber, and the mother and daughter are reconciled.
The Slanderous Wife (Le Fresne’s Mother) Quotes in The Lais of Marie de France
The The Lais of Marie de France quotes below are all either spoken by The Slanderous Wife (Le Fresne’s Mother) or refer to The Slanderous Wife (Le Fresne’s Mother). 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:
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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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The Slanderous Wife (Le Fresne’s Mother) Quotes in The Lais of Marie de France
The The Lais of Marie de France quotes below are all either spoken by The Slanderous Wife (Le Fresne’s Mother) or refer to The Slanderous Wife (Le Fresne’s Mother). 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:
