Abandoned Wife

The abandoned wife is a theme that appears in folk stories around the world.Unknown. (1972). "Abandoned Wife", in Leach, M. (ed) Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend. 3rd ed. pp.2
It is often linked to the folklore motifs of "abandoned in a boat", "left on an island", "driven into a forest", "thrown into the water", or "cast into the pit".
== Basic Features ==
* Woman has her hands cut off and abandoned by her family.
* Discovered by a king who marries her.
* Gives birth to the king's child but is then abandoned or cast out again. Reason typically due to slander or intrigues by king's family, most often that she gave birth to an animal or monster, or that she murdered her child.
* Wanders the world until reaching a magic lake or well, or is given a potion of beauty.
* Wins back her husband and punished those responsible for him casting her out. 
== Examples ==
* Kashmir and Bengal stories of a king who blinds seven of his wives at the urging of an eighth, and throws them in a well. Magic well water restores their sight, and they eventually get revenge.
* Maiden Without Hands
* 6+ African versions
* 2 Native American versions
* Brazilian version
* Chilian version
* Chaucer's The Man of Lawes Tale
* Gower's Confessio Amantis
* Some of the stories of the Arabian Nights
* Pentamerone
* Many south Slavic folk songs
== References ==
Category:Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend
Category:Folklore Motifs