Her Works

*Lais of Marie de France (c. 1160), twelve verse narratives in French (Anglo-Norman) language; octosyllabic couplets; dedicated to the "noble" king (likely Henry II)

*Author of 103 fables, Ysopets, in the style of Aesop

*Morality tale, L'Espurgatoire Seint Patriz ("St Patrick's Purgatory")

Marie's works covered romantic and magical situations, themes, and imagery; variations on theme of lovers in hostile world, oppressive marriages and social conventions (conflicts between love, chivalry and marriage); emphasis on freedom of desire; personal, psychological, and affective issues; love as escape from oppressive world; problems of love (treachery, selfishness) also considered; ambiguous moral messages.