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Le Morte D Arthur Character Analysis

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The first event that this paper will discuss regarding the guilt of Lancelot’s character is from “Le Morte d’Arthur” chapter XI. Within chapter XI, Malory tells the story of Galahad’s conception between Lancelot and Elaine. In the search for adventure, Lancelot arrives to the land of Corbin, which is ruled by a king named Pelles. Within Corbin, Lancelot proves himself worthy by rescuing a lady who was cursed by Morgan le Fay. After saving the lady, Lancelot was asked to slay a dragon, which had tormented the people. Lancelot slays the dragon and then is praised by King Pelles. The importance of King Pelles is that he knew of the prophecy of Galahad. King Pelles’s daughter would give birth to the greatest knight who ever lived, if she slept with …show more content…

Lancelot was informed that Queen Guinevere was awaiting him in a nearby castle, which he rode off quickly to meet her. Due to the enchantment, Lancelot saw Queen Guinevere within the castle. Seeing Queen Guinevere, the woman he loved, he made the decision to sleep with her. Lancelot’s decision to sleep with the woman who he thought was Guinevere demonstrates this willingness to attempt to betray King Arthur and commit adultery. Lancelot physically saw Guinevere and chose to commit an adulterous act. In the mind of Lancelot, he was truly sleeping with Guinevere within the castle. Technically Lancelot slept with Elaine, but realistically Lancelot intention was to commit adultery with Guinevere. In this case, Lancelot’s intention and action demonstrates that he is morally guilty in trying to committed adultery with Queen Guinevere. The authors such as Kennedy and Sturges explain this event away because Lancelot technically did not commit adultery with Guinevere, completely ignoring his true intentions. Kennedy and Sturges are wrong to ignore the intentions of Lancelot, because in the mind of Lancelot, he is guilty of committing adultery with the married Queen

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