The Lay of Marie and Vignettes in Verse
Summary
"The Lay of Marie and Vignettes in Verse" by Matilda Betham is a poetic narrative and a collection of verses written in the early 19th century. The poem follows Marie, an Anglo-Norman minstrel in the 13th century, who navigates the complexities of her low station while being intertwined in the affairs of nobility, particularly amidst the backdrop of England losing Normandy. The story unfolds against a richly woven tapestry of emotions, feuds, and courtly life, revealing themes of love, loss, and social hierarchy. At the start of the work, the focus is on a grand feast awaiting Marie's performance, which sets the stage for her struggles and inner turmoil. As she arrives, there are high expectations from the audience, including nobles and warriors, who anticipate her song. However, Marie is laden with sorrow and memories of her past losses, particularly concerning her father's own regrets as a crusader. The text vividly illustrates a contrast between the revelry surrounding her and Marie’s emotional plight, emphasizing her reluctance to sing and the haunting nature of her experiences. As she begins to perform, it becomes evident that her music is intertwined with her own grief, creating an evocative atmosphere that reflects the pain of her circumstances amid the expectations of the world around her. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Similar Books
-
Love Romances of the Aristocracy
by Hall, Thornton, 1858-
-
Les quarante-cinq. English
by Dumas, Alexandre, 1802-1870
-
A King's Comrade: A Story of Old Hereford
by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts), 1856-1913
-
The Wing-and-Wing; Or, Le Feu-Follet
by Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851
-
The Last Hope
by Merriman, Henry Seton, 1862-1903
-
Harold : the Last of the Saxon Kings — Volume 12
by Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron, 1803-1873
-
The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon
by Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928
-
Le chien d'or. English
by Kirby, William, 1817-1906
-
The Lost Continent
by Hyne, Charles John Cutcliffe Wright, 1866-1944
-
Kormáks saga. English
by None