Milun: You Forgot about Destiny Many people and even scholars have overlooked destiny being a theme for Marie de France’s work. In which most highlight the idea of love between two lovers. After reading “Milun” by Marie de France, I begin to think about themes that would fit this romantic story, other than the theme of love. Destiny is a major factor in Milun because of the ongoing events that mold the outcome of Milun, the mistress, and their son’s destined future. Love is important to note when analyzing Marie de France work. Destiny is events that occur in shaping in its future. In the story of “Milun” the events are clear to see between the knight, Milun and his mistress relationship. Milun and his mistress are secret lovers whom promised …show more content…
But Chadwyk- Healey, suggest that, “ only close reading of her work gives any clues as to her life” (Chadwyck-Healy). That being the case, readers may infer that Marie de France works were influenced by Christian beliefs. Marie clearly identifies that she had religious beliefs in her prologue saying, “He to whom God has given knowledge and the gift of speaking eloquently, must not keep silent nor conceal the gift but he must willingly display it.”(France 143). Regarding this, one can say Marie was giving a message about a writers responsibility. In the same way, Marie propose a message to writers, the story of “Milun” may have been sending a message to women. Most of Marie fans were women, in which gives evidence that Marie had some connection with her female audience, whom also could juxtapose their life to Marie’s stories (Doherty 2). So, the message in “Milun,” women could also choose their own destiny without being pointed out by a man. Sounds very radical for a woman of the twelfth century? One must keep in mind that the Mistress was appointed a husband but not to her own secret lover. Marie de France, quietly voices female rights in her works for women to pursue their destiny from God without man intervening, unlike the Mistress’s father who chose her