The Fall Of Lancelot In Thomas Malory's Morte D Arthur

In Thomas Malory's Morte d'Arthur, the fall of Camelot seems most accredited to the sin of Lancelot and Guinevere. Indeed, I myself, upon completing reading this piece, could feel no sympathy toward these two characters. They should have realized that if their sin were discovered, it would bring about grave consequences to those around them. However as I continued thinking about this story, I realized that while they are a major part of what causes Camelot to fall, the other part of the fault lies in the way that Sir Agravain chooses to deal with the problem. I suppose the way of life at that time dictated that Lancelot's sin be counted as treason against the king, but nevertheless I believe that a more Biblical way of dealing with the problem could …show more content…
Instead of deceitfully tricking Lancelot and finding proof, Arthur could have decided on a more moral way to confront his wife and his friend concerning their sin. Indeed, in many places Malory states that “Sir Lancelot had done so much for him and for the Queen so many times that, wit you well, the King loved him passingly well.” Thus Malory shows that Lancelot, in his heart, is not an evil man, which makes readers sympathize with him. I feel as if Agravian is too rash in his judgment of Lancelot and thinks that the one sin makes him a horrid person. However Arthur's and Gawain's compassion for Lancelot shows readers that Agravian's judgment is wrong. Also Guinevere is spoken of in a good way – for example, Sir Gawain calls her “so noble a queen” and many other times her virtues are praised highly. Thus through showing that Lancelot and Guinevere are not wholly evil people, Malory makes his readers pity them. Therefore even though Camelot falls because Lancelot and Guinevere were blind to their own sin, Malory still splendidly achieves in making the readers feel sympathy for them through showing that, even though a despicable sin mars their lives, at heart they are not wicked