The Repressions Of Women In Le Morte DArthur By Thomas Malory

The impressions of women throughout history influenced the way authors depicted women in their works. The belief that women are the cause of men’s problems dates back to the bible’s first chapter. The chapter lead men to believe the ultimate fall of humanity was at the hands of a woman. Consequently, this belief has been carried from generations to generations throughout history. The legend of Morgan Le Fay changes behaviorally from evil and spiteful in Le Morte D’Arthur by Thomas Malory to kind and nourishing in â€Å"Avalon† from Vita Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth because of the different notions of women throughout history. During the Middle Ages women went from being their father’s daughters to their husband’s wives to their childrens†¦show more content†¦Certain individuals decided to change their beliefs. Some began to see women as nurturing creatures rather than the bane of all of man’s existence. This idea reflects in the poem by Geoffrey of Monmouth, â€Å"Avalon from the Vita Merlini†. This poem tells the tale of a beautiful island where nine sisters live. The sisters are generous and kind to all who visit their home. The poem then shifts focus to Morgan Le Fay, almost bragging that â€Å"she may cure sick bodies† (Geoffrey of Monmouth). This differs from the Middle Age text greatly. Even the tone of the poem is light and airy in contrast to the dark and mysterious tone of the earlier story. The poem goes on to tell a story of Morgan Le Fay saving someone, explaining she saved a man that had gone into battle â€Å" with her own honorable hand† (Geoffrey of Monmouth). This man was her half brother Arthur, and whether the characters know of their relation is a mystery to the audience. In the poem Morgan Le Fay saves her brother; in the story she nearly kills him. It is clear the narrator of the poem admires Morgan Le Fay, as shown by the use of word â€Å"honorable† t o describe her on many occasions. The depiction of the women in this story reflects how some people felt toward women in the Modern Ages, and once again turning life into art. Art imitates life in these two works. The societal beliefs of the Middle Ages were prominently against women having any power, though there are always some