In medieval times, a woman was usually forced to depend on a man for a living. Yet in the world of courtly love, some might say that this was the first idea of ​​goddess worship. Where man is unable to survive without his beloved. As a result, his love leads him to perform noble deeds and obey him in hopes of gaining his affection. In Les Lais de Marie de France, notably Chevrefoil and Yonec, the author does not follow all the rules of courtly love, but she illustrates to the reader the relationship between the man and his wife. She describes the beauty, intelligence and wisdom of her female characters, giving them power over the men who love them. While Marie de France often confines women to the oppressive realities of the Middle Ages, she allows her characters to rebel against society and uses courtly romance as a means to empower women in her domain. In the 12th century, the majority of marriages were arranged. Men were often the ones who had the privilege of choosing their spouse. Often, women were forced to marry men they barely knew and did not love. By allowing the women of her lay to escape their husbands and be with men over whom they have power, Marie de France elevates women on pedestals. It glorifies their characteristics and allows them to be worshiped by men. the time a man spends separated from his love only leads to heartbreak. However, according to Marie de France, this is not the case for women. In Chevrefoil, Tristram becomes "distressed and dejected" when his uncle sends him away from his kingdom, and it is because of this separation from her that men like Megan Fox and Scarlett Johansson are perfect examples of how men still put women on a pedestal. Marie de France could have laid the foundation for these iconic sexual symbols in her writings. Women of this stature can easily control just about any man they desire. She can decide who she wants to love and choose her future husband. Women are no longer oppressed but enjoy liberal freedom. It would seem that modern English historians would have us believe that this theme of courtly love only existed then, but the characteristics of women show that it is still relevant today.Works CitedMarie de France. "Honeysuckle." The Lays of Marie de France.Trans. Glen Burgess and Keith Bugsby. NY:PC, 2007. 109-110.Marie de France. “Yonec.” The Lays of Marie de France.Trans. Glen Burgess and Keith Bugsby. New York: PC, 2007. 86-90.