# Prologue by Way of Dedication explained — Lais

> Chapter companion for Lais by Marie de France.

## What happens

Marie de France explains her purpose in writing the Lais: to preserve the stories she has heard from minstrels and to offer them to a noble king. She reflects on the duty of those gifted with speech to share knowledge, and she dedicates her work to the king, hoping for his favor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and Storytelling

Marie de France emphasizes the importance of preserving and sharing stories, framing her work as a duty to keep the deeds of the past alive through poetry.

## Character check-ins

### Marie de France

The author and narrator, who dedicates her collection of Lais to a noble king.

## Key lines

> Those to whom God has given the gift of comely speech, should not hide their light beneath a bushel, but should willingly show it abroad.

People who are blessed with eloquence should share their talent openly rather than conceal it.

_Marie establishes the moral imperative for writers to share their gifts._

> I would not that they should perish, forgotten, by the roadside. In my turn, therefore, I have made of them a song, rhymed as well as I am able, and often has their shaping kept me sleepless in my bed.

I refuse to let these stories be lost and forgotten, so I have turned them into poetry, working late into the night to craft them.

_Marie expresses her motivation to preserve the Lais through her own poetic efforts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lais_se/chapters/prologue-by-way-of-dedication
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lais_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lais_se/chapters