How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
A maner Latyn corrupt was hir speche,
But algates therby was she understonde. (519-520)
The corrupt Latin that Custance speaks is nonetheless intelligible to the Northumbrian constable. The similarity in language symbolizes the similarities in cultural between the two. (Which makes the Northumbrian conversion to Christianity an easier process.)
Quote #8
Hir thought hir cursed herte brast atwo,
She wolde noght hir sone had do so,
Hir thoughte a despit, that he sholde take
So strange a creature unto his make. (697-700)
Donegild's objection to her son's marriage is different from the Sultan's mother's. It's not as much about religion with Donegild as it is her dislike of her son being with someone so generally different. We're not sure if that's better or worse.
Quote #9
The lettre spak, the queene delivered was
Of so horrible a feendly creature
That in the castel noon so hardy was
That any while dorste ther endure;
The mooder was an elf, by aventure,
Ycomen by charmes or by sorcerie,
And every wight hateth hir compaignye. (750-756)
With her letter, Donegild transforms Custance into what she fears. Her objection to her son's marriage was that he was taking for a mate "so strange a creature." Here Custance is again a creature, this time a "feendly" one. From Donegild's perspective, her grandchild is an alien of sorts, for in his veins runs the blood of someone completely different from her.