L’espace dans Equitan de Marie de France

Abstract

This paper examines Marie de France’s lai Equitan from the angle of space. Our analysis follows the route of the couple of protagonists in the spatial dimension within the narrative to reveal that their activities happen in spaces becoming more and more restricted till the conclusive scene of the poem, which constitutes a descent to hell. Thus the journey symbolizes a moral fall of the main characters, whose passion lacks the spirituality of true courtly love.