However, what some people don’t really realize is that though calling a certain time Camelot sounds pleasant and fairy tale like, it really wasn’t as wonderful in the time of Arthur as it seems. Though King Arthur was a strong ruler with a beautiful castle, a large kingdom, and a panel of loyal knights, not everything was as fantastic as we would like to think. Mrs. Kennedy meant the term Camelot as a positive, assuring phrase, but as the Arthurian age and Camelot had many issues, so did the Kennedy presidency. First of all, though Arthur’s knights were mostly loyal, two of his most trusted knights committed the highest acts of disloyalty. Sir Lancelot, though one of the most noble and famous knights there was fell in love with Arthur’s wife, Guinevere.
When Meleagant accuses the queen and Kay of adultery, Kay fervently avows that “I would much rather be dead than have commmitted such a base and blameworthy act against my lord” (267). Yet in direct contrast to his long agonizing over conflicts between his chivalric virutes, Lancelot exhibits no shame or remorse about the moral failure of his sleeping with Guinevere. What's more, Lancelot steps in to swear an oath on holy relics – a common practice of the twelfth century – that she did not sleep with Kay, while omitting that she did in fact sleep with Lancelot. Lancelot even fights in trial by combat to defend his assertion and the integrity of his word, even asking God to “show His righteousness by taking vengeance on whichever of us has lied” (268). Through Lancelot’s hypocritical earnestness, Chretien parodies the importance chivalry placed on reputation and piousness.
Lancelot performs several dangerous acts after reading a letter from an imprisoned person. He is committing these acts as an attempt to win the lady’s heart. When Lancelot makes it to Camelot, he discovers a man. This
Lancelot has all he ever desired and has no wish to leave her. Lancelot worships Guinevere as a religion, for as he left after their lovemaking “he bowed before the room, behaving just as though he were before an altar.” (Chretien, 248). Queen Guinevere succeeds through her power of her words and the power of her appearance, she
In a more accurate depiction of Arthurian lore, Lancelot's individualist qualities and nomadic background would have been down played and his purely chivalric nature would have played up. There is one film, however, that does look to portray chivalry is a more historical light than First Knight and King
Sir Lancelot was loyal to King Arthur, which shows part of the Chivalry code. Chivalry is show agains when Sir Lancelot and King Arthur battle themselves. This shows Chivalry on both sides of King Arthur and Sir Lancelot. They battle to the death. “Yet Some men say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not dead, but carried by the will of the Lord Jesus to another place”(195).
Arthur notices Lancelot at the feast, and he called him over. Arthur discusses his plan to Lancelot. White writes, “You want to put an end to the Strong Arm, by having a band of knights who believe in justice rather than strength. Yes, I like to be one of those very much” (316). Arthur recruits younger knights because they can be taught Arthur’s new way and forget the old ways.
Early in the relationship between Lancelot and Guenever they met with along with the King at a beach. Guenever kissed the king as a greeting because of their marriage. The day after this event he suspected that she didn’t care for him, so he asked to leave the court to go questing. Another time later in the book Lancelot wants to be with Guenever one night, but Arthur is home so she knows they can’t or they will get caught, so she says no.
There are a few codes of chivalry that he breaks because of Gwynevere. In a way he betrays King Arthur by staying as a guest in the palace knowing he will be able to be around Gwynevere and possibly tempt her. Lancelot’s only motivation to become a knight is Gwynevere and to still remain in Camalot. Even though he is a strong Knight that saves people, his weakens is a very small but powerful thing called love/
In the other reading, Lancelot by Chretien de Troys is an Arthurian poem about the story of Lancelot expressing knightly rightness to free the Queen from Melegant. They both do battle which ends with Lancelot almost defending Melegant but he calls for a rematch in king Arthurs court. This story also shows the love Lancelot has for the Queen. These tales were in collaboration between women like Marie de France. The Arthurian tales contain interests and concerns of women this includes, “threats to women’s independence, enforced or unhappy marriages, disputed inheritance, fashion, and romance” (pg.
Lancelot was so gracious that even despite Queen Guenievre acting ungrateful for his efforts at first, he does not object to her words. Instead, like a “perfect lover”(The Knight of the Cart, p. 256) he apologizes and takes his leave, careful to not upset her further. This further demonstrates his loyalty to his
Reaffirming the aforementioned idea that Lancelot is the greatest knight in Camelot. The relationship between Lancelot and Guinevere is mentioned in the writing; however, it is only briefly discussed potentially meaning that Malory did not want to tarnish Lancelot’s reputation. Throughout Malory describing what happened between Lancelot and Guinevere it seems like Malory is defending Lancelot’s actions. A possible reason that Malory does this is to protect Lancelot’s image
Lancelot is aware that he must maintain his composure and control his desires in order to see what his heart truly seeks: the Holy Grail. When he is outside the room where it is discovered, he is cautioned not to enter on the grounds that he has no privilege to. In spite of the fact that he shows himself to be loyal at first, when Lancelot sees a priest "struggling" at the sanctification of mass, he rapidly goes inside to help him. Immediately, he faces the consequences. Before Lancelot goes in, he says, “Ah!
In Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart, the major theme around this famous story written by Chretien de Troyes, is romance. Of a knight who fell in love with Queen Guinevere, of whom is married to King Arthur, and who Lancelot was sworn to protect, and to always tell the truth; even if this meant costing their lives. Thus, creating a dilemma for a normal person, but Lancelot would have no trouble doing everything it takes even risking his life multiple times to be with who he loves. Lancelot would prove his love to Queen Guinevere by doing everything that she would ask of him, showing that only she could control him; in which he could be an unstoppable force not to be reckoned with.
Because of Arthur’s denial of Guinevere's affair with Lancelot, Mordred seizes his opportunity to accuse Guinevere, which causes Arthur to stage her “execution” and her rescue. Because of this, Gaheris and Gareth are placed in danger, and killed by Lancelot in his rampage, as well as many other soldiers who were only doing their duty. “” (White #) However, this has wider repercussions, and Mordred and Agravaine use Lancelot’s crime of “treason” to persuade some of the knights of the Round Table to follow his ideas. This culminates in a battle between his followers and Arthur’s, and ultimately ends in Arthur’s death, marking the end of his kingdom. “” (White #) All of Mordred’s actions would never have occurred if not for Guinevere’s affair. The chain of events causing Camelot’s collapse would never have happened if Guinevere had not loved both Arthur and
