Melion and Biclarel - University of Liverpool

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Two Old French Werwolf Lays As soon as she does so, he turns into a wolf, retaining his human mind, and follows the stag. His wife at once leaves for the harbour and Ireland, taking with her the squire. Melion returns with the meat, but cannot find his wife. Realising where she has gone, he goes to the harbour and stows away on a ship going to Ireland. There he begins a war of attrition, killing livestock. The peasants go to the king, who dismisses their complaints. Melion persuades ten wolves to join him: for a year they kill livestock and peasants, and no-one can stop them. One day, a peasant sees the wolves lying up and tells the king, who kills all the wolves except Melion, who mourns his lost companions. Just as he has given up hope, he sees a ship approaching Dublin. He recognises the shields hung over the side: it is Arthur’s ship. The ship docks and Arthur sets up camp. Melion enters Arthur’s tent and lies at his feet. Everyone marvels at the wolf’s docility. Melion refuses to be parted from the king. The next day, Arthur and his retinue, including the wolf, go to the Irish king’s court. Melion sees the squire who left with his wife and attacks him. Melion is threatened by the Irish king’s men, but Arthur protects him, insisting that the wolf must have a reason for his attack. The squire is forced to confess and Arthur demands that the King of Ireland obtain the magic ring from his daughter. She supplies it and Melion is taken to a private chamber, where he changes into human form. His wife is brought before Arthur for judgement, and Melion wishes to transform her with the ring, but Arthur dissuades him. Melion, expressing his low opinion of women, returns with Arthur to Britain, leaving his wife behind. BICLAREL [An earlier passage in this section of Renart le Contrefait describes how a young man asks the narrator, Renart the fox, whether he should marry. Biclarel is the third of four stories Renart tells to illustrate his answer.] Renart speaks of the disadvantages of marriage and introduces the story of Biclarel as an exemplum. Biclarel, a knight of Arthur’s court, falls in love and 14
Introduction marries a lady. Biclarel has an unusual trait, which he keeps secret: for a few days each month, he turns into a wolf and lives as a beast in the forest. One day, when he returns from the forest, his wife comes to meet him, apparently greatly distressed. She addresses him at some length on the subject of openness in marriage and accuses him of staying away because he has a new love. Biclarel reassures her, but eventually reveals his secret in the face of his wife’s disbelief. He tells her that, before metamorphosing, he removes his clothes and goes secretly lest anyone steal them, for without the clothes he cannot regain his human form. His wife realises that she has found a way to rid herself of her husband and marry her lover. She follows Biclarel to the forest and steals his clothes, then sends word to her lover that her husband is dead and she is free to marry. Biclarel discovers the theft of his clothing and realises that he has been betrayed by his wife. Biclarel remains in the forest. Arthur goes hunting and his hounds corner Biclarel, who runs to the king and kneels in supplication. Arthur pities the wolf and beats back the hounds. He and his knights marvel at the beast’s behaviour and demeanour, and they take him to the court, where he behaves impeccably until he discovers his wife and attacks her. Believing that the wolf must have a reason for the attack, Arthur leaves Biclarel to wander amongst the guests, to find out whether he will attack anyone else. Biclarel searches for his wife who, realising the identity of the wolf, has not returned out of fear. Biclarel finds the lady preparing to depart on horseback. He attacks her again, but she is rescued by the townspeople. Arthur arrives and insists that the lady tell him the truth, under threat of death. She confesses all. The clothes are sent for, Biclarel puts them on and is transformed into human shape. The wife is severely punished. Renart explains that the tale demonstrates that men should never reveal secrets to their wives. 15
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Page 7 and 8: Introduction 1 Melion and Biclarel
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Melion and Biclarel - University of Liverpool

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