How did Marie de France combine realistic details with fairy-tale elements in her lais?

In the context of Anglo-Norman literature, Marie de France’s lais are noted for their unique synthesis of realistic and fairy-tale elements. While she claimed that her narratives were based on original Breton lays, she skillfully integrated these magical themes with a sophisticated analysis of love problems and a keen interest in contemporary life.1

By grounding her stories in the emotional complexities of her characters and observing the social dynamics of her time, she balanced the fantastical, supernatural aspects of the fairy-tale tradition with a grounded, realistic portrayal of human experience. Her work, written in octosyllabic rhymed couplets, demonstrates a talent for blending these disparate elements into cohesive verse narratives.12