ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -It is probable that the Lais were written in the late 12th century; they are dedicated to a “noble king", usually assumed to be Henry II of England or possibly his eldest son, Henry the Young King.

Detailed explanation-2: -In the prologue, Marie says that she was looking for a work in Latin or French to translate and could not find anything, so she decided to write down some lays (short narrative poems, intended to be sung) which she had heard performed.

Detailed explanation-3: -Two of Marie’s lais, “Lanval, ” a very popular work that was adapted several times over the years (including the Middle English Sir Launfal) and “Chevrefoil” ("The Honeysuckle"), a short composition about Tristan and Iseult, mention King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Lais of Marie de France are a series of twelve lai poems written by Marie de France that are primarily concerned with the ideas of courtly love and chivalric romance. They are highly notable for influencing the development of the medieval romance genre, including the renowned Arthurian romance.

Detailed explanation-5: -A lai (or lay lyrique, “lyric lay", to distinguish it from a lai breton) is a lyrical, narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets that often deals with tales of adventure and romance. Lais were mainly composed in France and Germany, during the 13th and 14th centuries.