The Werewolf: Man's Best Friend

If any creature can be associated with the monstrous, it is the werewolf. Marie de France begins her lai, Bisclavret, with a classic, even stereotypical description of the shapeshifter: “A werewolf is a ferocious beast which, when possessed by this madness, devours men, causes great damage, and dwells in vast forests.” Yet the werewolf in this lai does not inspire fear or terror. In fact, unlike modern werewolf mythology, which is permeated with tragedy and despair, this story has a happy ending, at least for the werewolf. His wife and her lover, both who despised and betrayed him, are the ones who have a miserable end. Again contradictory to contemporary werewolf lore, Bisclavret remains intelligent, lucid, and in control of himself. His appeal to the king results not only in the king’s pardon, but in the king’s love, friendship, and protection. He becomes the king's companion, following him everywhere like a faithful dog. Even though Bisclavret’s appearance is frightening and bestial, everyone seems to overlook this to see his better, interior qualities. His attacks are justified by the onlookers, who see monstrosity in the victims rather than the attacker. And with good reason. No one in the story (and most likely neither the reader nor the author) pities the wife whose nose is bitten off. Bisclavret’s popularity only increases when he is restored to his human form. But even if he had remained a werewolf, no one, especially the king, would have loved him less. The werewolf is no longer a ravenous, indiscriminate killing machine, but a loyal, affectionate, and chivalrous man-beast. Metaphorically he is transformed, even redeemed, in this story. Much in the same way the scarlet letter became a badge of honor for Hester Prim, so the werewolf “curse” proves to be a misnomer. The werewolf, at least in this story, is no monster: he is man’s best friend.