A Character Analysis of Sir Lancelot Essay - 4739 Words

A Character Analysis of Sir Lancelot Sir Lancelot, from the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, has become by far the most popular and well-remembered knight. Through Malorys rendition of traditional materials, we have inherited a character that has become the image of the quintessential knight. How is it that the outsider, the foreigner, the upstart who wins Arthurs heart and Guineveres body and soul (Walters xiv) has taken the place that, prior to Malory, was reserved for Sir Gawain? Malory has made this character larger than life. Of the grandeur of Lancelot, Derek Brewer says, In the portrayal of Lancelot we generally recognize a vein of extravagance. He is the most obsessive of lovers, as he†¦show more content†¦Therefore, it is best to begin with book six, entitled Lancelot du Lake. There appears to be some inconsistency in how the book is to be divided, whether in books or in tales. The reader should be advised that these two terms are not synonymous, and that while there are only eight tales, there are twenty-two books in Le Morte DArthur. Drawing from many sources, Malory develops Lancelots qualities of self-control, rectitude, and humaneness...the third tale (Lancelot du Lake) concentrates on Lancelots chivalry inspired by a yet unconsummated passion. Undertaking his quest because of Gwenyver, he becomes the best knight in the world (Walters xxix). One need not look far into the sixth book to find examples of Lancelots character. In the beginning of the tale, we are introduced to Sir Lancelot very abruptly with Of all his knights one was supreme, both in prowess at arms and in nobility of bearing, and this was Sir Lancelot, who was also the favorite of Queen Gwynevere, to whom he had sworn oaths of fidelity (Malory 118). It is here we are introduced to Lancelots two primary character traits: that of his being a great knight and that of being faithful to Guinevere. He is not yet the best knight, or the perfect lover, as he has not yet been tested. Lancelot soon feels bored with his life at court, and so searches out a dventure. It is during these adventures thatShow MoreRelatedGuinnevere of the King Arthur Legends1226 Words   |  5 PagesModred, other knights, and even Arthur himself. (Guinevere) With the help of Lancelot, she escapes a number of predicaments, including kidnapping by Sir Meliaguant, burning at the stake, and later marriage with her step son. (Guinevere) In Malory she flees after Arthur’s death to Amesbury, where she becomes a nun, as well as â€Å"abbess and ruler, as reason would.† (Guinevere) Guinevere was developed into a major character in the story of Arthur by Chretien. 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The way the French/English division of class operated heavilyRead MorePictorialism in the Victorian Era; Essay example2442 Words   |  10 PagesChapter 2 - Julia Margaret Cameron†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..............................5 Chapter 3 - Madame Yevonde†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.......................................6 Chapter 4 - Analysis of Photos†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.................................7 -10 â€Å"Mountain Nymph† Julia Margaret Cameron 1866.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...7 â€Å"The Parting of Lancelot and Guinevere† Julia Margaret Cameron 1875.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.8 â€Å"Mrs. Richard Hart-Davis as ‘Ariel’ Madame Yevonde 1935.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 â€Å"Lady Dorothy Campbell as ‘Niobe’† Madame YevondeRead MoreRomanticism, By Charles Baudelaire1235 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Waterhouse, the subject of the painting is a woman, sitting alone in a boat. It takes inspiration from a scene from a poem of the same name by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The poem tells the story of the young woman and her unrequited love for Sir Lancelot. Even though the focus of the image is the sorrowful woman, the composition of the background makes for a picturesque painting. The background elements work together to symbolize the emotional elements of the poem from which the painting takes