In Arthurian literary tradition, Lancelot is depicted as both an incredible knight and the catalyst of the collapse of the Round Table.
Lancelot’s problematic situation is described at length in both Chretien de Troyes’ The Knight of the Cart and Sir Thomas Malory’s More Darthur. In both of these texts, Lancelot has to follow both the role of a warrior for Arthur and the Round Table and the role of a lover for Queen Guinevere, but each author showcases his character differently. Although both writers use the motif of Lancelot’s struggle between these two roles,
Chretien blames his role as a lover as being detrimental to his knighthood, whereas Malory attempts to emphasize Lancelot’s
Although they have differing themes, both authors showcase …show more content…
‘the quality of his love and the purposeful actions which it inspires suggest that all Lancelot's strength and honour as a man have been directed toward his lady’ In Chrestien’s retelling, Lancelot becomes metaphorically emasculated by his love for Quenevire. This emasculation is showcased many times throughout the text. When Lancelot catches a glimpse of Guenevire being held captive, “he wanted to throw himself form the window and shatter his body on the ground below’ (538-9). Lancelot doesn’t think about his knightly codes of protection, instead he immediately wishes death upon himself because he cannot take the pain of seeing his loved one captured. It was Lancelot’s love for the Queen that dispels his prowess and bravery, disarming him to the point that he seriously considers suicide. This also adds some comedy to the story, making some of Lancelot’s exaggerated actions satirical. Christien doesn’t seem critical, he simply seems to be poking fun at Lancelot’s impossible …show more content…
Love has forced Lancelot to humiliate himself: He is so lost in daydreaming about Guinevere that he ignores the multiple warnings given to him by the other knight. When he falls into the stream, ‘[his] lance fell into the stream and his shield flew from round his neck,” (833-4) leaving Lancelot disarmed once again because of foolish reasons and unable to fulfill his duties as a knight. He struggles in his battle. “[Lancelot] was…angry to be so weak today that his blows were feeble and his day wasted.” Christien is showing Lancelot to be somewhat ridiculous in his role of a knight as he attempts to excel in his role as a
Lancelot’s problematic situation is described at length in both Chretien de Troyes’ The Knight of the Cart and Sir Thomas Malory’s More Darthur. In both of these texts, Lancelot has to follow both the role of a warrior for Arthur and the Round Table and the role of a lover for Queen Guinevere, but each author showcases his character differently. Although both writers use the motif of Lancelot’s struggle between these two roles,
Chretien blames his role as a lover as being detrimental to his knighthood, whereas Malory attempts to emphasize Lancelot’s
Although they have differing themes, both authors showcase …show more content…
‘the quality of his love and the purposeful actions which it inspires suggest that all Lancelot's strength and honour as a man have been directed toward his lady’ In Chrestien’s retelling, Lancelot becomes metaphorically emasculated by his love for Quenevire. This emasculation is showcased many times throughout the text. When Lancelot catches a glimpse of Guenevire being held captive, “he wanted to throw himself form the window and shatter his body on the ground below’ (538-9). Lancelot doesn’t think about his knightly codes of protection, instead he immediately wishes death upon himself because he cannot take the pain of seeing his loved one captured. It was Lancelot’s love for the Queen that dispels his prowess and bravery, disarming him to the point that he seriously considers suicide. This also adds some comedy to the story, making some of Lancelot’s exaggerated actions satirical. Christien doesn’t seem critical, he simply seems to be poking fun at Lancelot’s impossible …show more content…
Love has forced Lancelot to humiliate himself: He is so lost in daydreaming about Guinevere that he ignores the multiple warnings given to him by the other knight. When he falls into the stream, ‘[his] lance fell into the stream and his shield flew from round his neck,” (833-4) leaving Lancelot disarmed once again because of foolish reasons and unable to fulfill his duties as a knight. He struggles in his battle. “[Lancelot] was…angry to be so weak today that his blows were feeble and his day wasted.” Christien is showing Lancelot to be somewhat ridiculous in his role of a knight as he attempts to excel in his role as a