Bisclavret, versipelles, denasare. Metamorfosi da Plauto e Apuleio a Maria di Francia

Abstract

Marie de France's lai of Bisclavret is a medieval narrative of metamorphosis that invites commentary due to its complexity and numerous intertextual references. The same term bisclavret is ambiguous, distinguishing the protagonist from other werewolves because he was born a wolf, without enchantments. This study explores an intertextual relationship with Apuleius's The Golden Ass and with the classical tradition, from Herodotus to Plauto and Petronius in order to study the meaning and the use of words as versipellis and denaso. In particular, the wolf's revenge in the lai, which involves tearing off his treacherous wife's nose, echoes the story of Teliphron in The Golden Ass.