Lesson Plan: The Trial of Two Wives

A Study of Justice in French Folklore and History

Materials Needed:

• A copy of Marie de France's lai "Bisclavret" (a translation is fine).
• Access to view the film The Return of Martin Guerre (1982) OR a detailed summary/the book by Natalie Zemon Davis.
• A notebook or journal.
• Pen or pencil.
• Access to the internet for brief research.
• Optional: Art supplies for the extension activity (drawing paper, colored pencils, digital art software, etc.).

1. Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Analyze and articulate the motivations, actions, and societal pressures affecting the wife of Bisclavret and Bertrande de Rols (the wife of Martin Guerre).
• Compare and contrast the systems of justice depicted in each story: the supernatural "folk law" of a medieval lai versus the formal legal system of 16th-century France.
• Evaluate how community perception and the "truth" shape the outcomes for each woman.
• Synthesize your analysis into a creative piece by writing a closing argument for a modern retrial of one of the wives.

2. Alignment with Curriculum Goals (High School ELA & History)

• Analysis of Complex Characters: Examine how characters develop in response to conflict and societal context.
• Comparative Literature: Compare works from different time periods and genres (medieval romance vs. historical narrative).
• Understanding Historical Context: Analyze how historical and cultural settings influence a story's plot, themes, and values.
• Argumentative & Creative Writing: Develop a persuasive argument using textual evidence in a creative format.

3. Instructional Strategies & Activities

Part 1: The Hook - You Be the Judge! (10 minutes)

Before diving into the texts, consider this scenario in your journal:

A person's spouse reveals a secret that is deeply frightening and changes the very nature of who you thought they were. This secret also puts them in a position of extreme vulnerability. Do you have a moral obligation to protect their secret, even if you are terrified? Or do you have a right to protect yourself, even if it means betraying them? What would justice look like in this situation?

Jot down your initial thoughts. There is no right or wrong answer; this is to get you thinking about the complex choices we'll be exploring.

Part 2: Gathering the Evidence - The Case Files (60-90 minutes)

Your first task is to become the lead investigator. After reading "Bisclavret" and watching/reviewing the story of "Martin Guerre," create a "Case File" for each wife in your notebook. Use the following template for both.

Case File Template:

• The Accused: (Name of the wife)
• The Alleged Crime: (What was she accused of, either directly or indirectly? What did she actually do?)
• Her Motive: (Why did she do it? Was it fear, greed, love, self-preservation?)
• Key Evidence/Testimony: (What key events or objects prove her actions? e.g., the stolen clothes in Bisclavret, Bertrande's acceptance of the imposter).
• Societal Pressures: (What expectations did her community, family, or the law place on her as a woman?)
• The Original Verdict & Punishment: (What was the judgment passed on her in the story and what was her punishment?)
• Your Initial Assessment: (Was her punishment just? Why or why not?)

Part 3: The Cross-Examination - A Tale of Two Systems (30 minutes)

Now, let's compare the two cases. In your journal, answer the following questions to explore the differences between folkloric justice and historical justice.

• Character Comparison: Which wife do you find more sympathetic? Which was more trapped by her circumstances? Explain your reasoning using evidence from your case files.
• Justice System Comparison: How was the "truth" revealed in each story?
  • In "Bisclavret," justice is revealed through a supernatural act (the werewolf's targeted attack) and a king's intuition. What are the pros and cons of this "folk law" system?
  • In "Martin Guerre," justice is pursued through a formal trial with witnesses, arguments, and a judge. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this legal system?
• Community Role: How did the community (the court, the villagers) influence the fate of each wife? Who had more agency (control over their own life), if any?

4. Assessment: The Modern Retrial (60 minutes)

This is your main creative task. You are a defense attorney in the 21st century, and you have the opportunity to retry the case for either Bisclavret's wife or Bertrande de Rols. Your job is to write a powerful closing argument to the jury.

Your Task:

1. Choose Your Client: Select the wife you want to defend.
2. Write Your Closing Argument (approx. 500 words):
   • Address the Jury: Start with "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury..."
   • Acknowledge the Facts: Briefly state the "crimes" your client committed in the original story. Don't hide from them.
   • Provide a Modern Interpretation: Re-frame her actions through a modern lens. Was it an act of self-defense against a perceived threat? Was she suffering from psychological duress? Was she a victim of a patriarchal system with no other options? Use concepts a modern jury would understand.
   • Use "Evidence": Refer to specific events from the original story as evidence for your interpretation. (e.g., "The prosecution points to the stolen clothes as a sign of malice, but I ask you to see it as an act of desperation from a woman who believed her husband was a monster.")
   • Make a Final Appeal: End with a powerful statement urging the jury to find her not guilty, or at least to understand her actions with compassion.

Evaluation Criteria for Closing Argument:

• Strength of Argument: Is your position clear, logical, and persuasive?
• Creative Analysis: Do you successfully blend textual evidence with a modern psychological or legal perspective?
• Understanding of Character: Does your argument show a deep understanding of the wife's motivations and situation?
• Clarity and Voice: Is the writing clear, engaging, and in the convincing tone of a defense attorney?

5. Differentiation and Extension

• For Extra Support: Work on a detailed outline for your closing argument before you start writing. Focus on three main points you want to make and find one piece of "evidence" from the text for each point.
• For an Extra Challenge (Choose one):
  1. The Prosecutor: Write the closing argument for the prosecution, arguing why the original verdict was, in fact, the correct one, even by modern standards.
  2. The Historical Deep Dive: Research the real-life 16th-century French jurist Jean de Coras, who presided over the Martin Guerre trial. How did his own writings about the case influence the "truth" we know today? Write a short reflection.
  3. Creative Justice: Create a piece of art (a drawing, a comic strip, a short animation) that depicts a key scene from your "modern retrial." For example, the wife on the witness stand, or the jury delivering their new verdict.