Guigemar's Sexuality In Disinterest Marie De France

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Love is limited to man and women In the story, Marie de France Guigemar, Marie de France describes the love sickness between Guigemar and his lady. In the beginning, Guigemar encountered a beast and was cast a curse where only falling for a “woman” was able to cure it. Eventually Guigemar finds his lady, the king’s wife, in which she reciprocates this love back. In the end, they both are able to cure each other's curses. Although one can interpret this story as the effects of lovesickness and how powerful it can be, however, it can also be interpreted as one’s sexuality should only be heterosexual, suggesting that any other sexuality is incorrect and people should follow the “norm.” Marie de France does this by pointing out Guigemar’s disinterest …show more content…

Marie de France begins with the story by describing how unnatural Guigemar is as he is detached from women, possibly pointing out his sexuality, being asexual. As a result, Marie de France argues that one’s sexuality should only be heterosexual. Marie de France details “Guigemar [as] equal as a fine knight”. But in forming him nature had so badly erred that he never gave any thought to love. There wasn't a lady or a maid on earth [that] he wasn't interested” (Marie de France, 60-70). In the beginning, Marie de France seems to like Guigemar when he is following the masculinity norm of being a knight, this is due to her purposely choosing the word “fine” to describe him. “Fine” is defined as of high quality in the dictionary, likely suggesting that Marie de France likes when Guigemar is following the norm of being a man. However, Marie de France follows this up with the transition word “but.” By doing so, Marie de France is about to introduce to the reader something that is flawed in Guigemar. Guigemar is not following the “norm,” which is …show more content…

In the beginning, similarly, Guigemar distracts himself from love by being with his knights. Marie de France did not agree with Ovid Book teaching as it teaches how to “control their love,” which suggests asexuality. Guigemar in the beginning “controlled [his] love” as he was not interested in women and only wanted to be with his man. Marie de France points out that she dislikes this characterization of Guigemar. Marie de France negatively portrays Ovid's book to convince the readers not to follow asexual practices, and instead fall in love, but only between man and woman. Although the story of Guigemar is a story of love sickness between him and his lady, however, it is a story promoting heterosexuality. Marie de France attempts to prevent other people from exploring, and to maintain “normality.” Marie de France does so by convincing the reader that Guigemar being asexual is incorrect and not natural, asexuality is a beast and love should only be heterosexual, and convinces the reader not to follow Ovid asexuality teaching. Marie de France contrasted asexuality and heterosexuality, trying to villainize asexuality, and encouraging heterosexuality, is still prevalent in American political campaigns and laws regarding state marriages seen

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