During the medieval period, a woman was generally forced to depend on a man for her livelihood. However, in the world of courtly love, some might say that this was the first idea of ​​goddess worship. Where man is unable to survive without his beloved. Consequently, her love pushes him to perform noble deeds and become obedient to her in the hope of winning her affection. In The Lais of Marie de France, particularly Chevrefoil and Yonec, the author does not follow all the rules of courtly love, but illustrates to the reader the relationship between the man and his woman. It depicts the beauty, intelligence and wisdom of its female characters, giving them power over the men who love them. While Marie de France often confines women to the oppressive realities of the Middle Ages, she allows her characters to rebel against society and uses the courtly love relationship as a way to empower the women in her lais. In the 12th century most marriages were arranged. Men often had the privilege of choosing their spouse. Many times women were forced to marry men they barely knew and did not love. By allowing the women in her lais to escape their husbands and be with men over whom they have power, Marie de France elevates women onto a pedestal. It glorifies their characteristics and allows them to be worshiped by men. Within such a relationship, the time a man spends separated from his love brings nothing but heartache. Yet, according to Marie de France, this is not the case for women. In Chevrefoil, Tristram becomes "distressed and dejected" when his uncle sends him away from his kingdom, and it is because of this separation from her that he h...... middle of paper ......n as Megan Fox and Scarlett Johansson are perfect examples of how men still put women on a pedestal. Marie de France could have laid the groundwork for these iconic sexual symbols in her writings. Women of this stature can easily control just about any man they desire. She can decide who she wants to love and choose her future husband. Women are no longer oppressed, but enjoy liberal freedom. It would seem that modern English historians would have you believe that this theme of courtly love only existed then, but the characteristics of the women show that it is still relevant today. Works Cited Marie de France. “Chevrefoil.” The Lais by Marie de France.Trans. Glen Burgess and Keith Bugsby. NY:PC, 2007. 109-110.Marie de France. “Yonec.” The Lais by Marie de France.Trans. Glen Burgess and Keith Bugsby. New York:PC, 2007. 86-90.