As stated in the foreword of Mlajov’s Selection from Chrétien of Troyes, Lancelot, stories of courtly love were told to highlight the journey of a knight’s quest toward an “unattainable” woman. With the rise of this type of secular literature, it was common for the aristocracy of society to wish to produce their own tales. Marie of Champagne wished to modify older, traditional stories of a young knight’s legendary quest for a queen by elaborating them with the values of chivalry and courtly love, thus creating the story we know today as Lancelot. Countess Marie of Champagne carries out the vision of this tale through her personal troubadour, Chrétien of Troyes, whose sole duty in his time as a poet was to serve the royal family of Champagne.
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One of these characteristics prominent in the poem is the value of chivalry. Throughout Lancelot’s journey, he is constantly performing heroic acts in an effort to protect and save women. The purpose of Lancelot’s journey is alone an act of chivalry, as he going through the greatest of trouble to save a woman who he might not even be able to court. A second value, one that makes the story characteristic of 12th century literature, is having the story’s protagonist being driven by love. The passion that Lancelot has for Guinevere is one that is seen as undying, and his efforts to retrieve her are relentless. In the foreword of the Mladjov’s document, it is stated that these love-type tales became an increasingly popular form of secular work in the aristocracy. A third set of values found in the story, one that is characterized by Lancelot, is the value of being a gentleman. This value, which expands on the basic ideas of chivalry, reflects the qualities of honesty, transparency, respect, and of course, the upmost kindness toward women. Lancelot shows honesty in his speech by telling the damsel how he feels toward her and explaining why he is agreeing to her terms. He is transparent in his love for Guinevere, making it known that her safe return is his mission, and even though he doesn’t agree with the woman he encounters, he is still
One of these characteristics prominent in the poem is the value of chivalry. Throughout Lancelot’s journey, he is constantly performing heroic acts in an effort to protect and save women. The purpose of Lancelot’s journey is alone an act of chivalry, as he going through the greatest of trouble to save a woman who he might not even be able to court. A second value, one that makes the story characteristic of 12th century literature, is having the story’s protagonist being driven by love. The passion that Lancelot has for Guinevere is one that is seen as undying, and his efforts to retrieve her are relentless. In the foreword of the Mladjov’s document, it is stated that these love-type tales became an increasingly popular form of secular work in the aristocracy. A third set of values found in the story, one that is characterized by Lancelot, is the value of being a gentleman. This value, which expands on the basic ideas of chivalry, reflects the qualities of honesty, transparency, respect, and of course, the upmost kindness toward women. Lancelot shows honesty in his speech by telling the damsel how he feels toward her and explaining why he is agreeing to her terms. He is transparent in his love for Guinevere, making it known that her safe return is his mission, and even though he doesn’t agree with the woman he encounters, he is still