The social norms of the European Middle Ages are incredibly different when juxtaposed with those of modern times. However, when you consider social norms, you see many similarities, including the public perception of adultery. The act of cheating on one's husband/wife has always been seen as a shameful act, yet both Marie de France's Lais and The Lion in Winter accept adultery as an inherent act, but for different reasons. In Lais, adultery is allowed when the original relationship is hostile and can be replaced by a “proper love story”, while in the film The Lion in Winter, adultery is allowed when the relationship is purely political. In this essay, the term “proper love” will be defined as a relationship that exists solely on love and without ulterior motives. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In The Lion in Winter, King Henry goes unpunished for his sexual relations with Alais, despite being married to Queen Eleanor. In fact, the opening scene is a conversation between Henry and Alais, who is concerned about her arranged marriage to one of Henry's sons. When Eleonora asks him if he ever loved her, he responds in the negative and reveals later in the film that he only married Eleonora for her dowry, which included the strategic land of Aquitaine. After the wedding, Henry takes another lover with whom he experiences feelings of true love. However, this story ends tragically when the woman meets her death. After his death, he meets Alais, who was promised to marry his son Richard, who then falls in love with Henry and their relationship begins. Adultery is not seen as a sinful act in the film. His position as King of England grants him immunity as no one dares threaten his power. He constantly exerts his power over the rest of the characters whether through wit, vocal intimidation, or combat. This allows him to pursue other romantic relationships and go unpunished and his actions go unchallenged. While it's not exactly the perfect ending, Henry isn't even severely reprimanded for his actions. The film shows how adultery is accepted and never criticized due to the political nature of King Henry's relationship with Eleanor and his political stature. Similarly, in tales written by Marie de France in the Middle Ages, many royal figures go unpunished after taking another lover due to the horrific conditions to which they were originally exposed. In “Yonec” a knight appears in a castle tower where lies a beautiful queen, trapped by her selfish king. When the queen sees the knight, who appears as a crow flying through the window, she responds “by saying that she will make him her lover, provided he believes in God, which would make their love possible” (Marie de France, 88) . . He immediately accepts and they begin their secret relationship. Their relationship is soon revealed to the king, but the story still ends happily for the queen. The queen's knight and son, Yonec, beheads the king, who had previously killed the knight. The message is clear: correct love replaces an apathetic relationship. A person can allow himself to commit adultery if his original relationship is not “proper love” as stated in the Rules of Courtly Love. Similarly in “Milun”, the love story is between Milun and his Lady. Despite being unmarried, however, she becomes pregnant and entrusts the child to a trusted woman. Milun leaves to find fame as a mercenary and returns to find his wife given to a nobleman. They send messages via a swan, but still have some changes to,.