The Presentation of Lancelot in Malory's 'Le Morte Darthur'

Essai , 2011 , 10 Pages , Note: 2.1

Philologie Anglaise - Littérature

A character-based essay which look s at the wider resolution of evil and betrayal in the light of chivalric and Christian ideals.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Presentation of Lancelot in Malory's Le Morte Darthur
• Lancelot's Popularity and His Adulterous Relationship
• Lancelot's Disguise and the Question of Moral Probity
• The Castle of Case Episode and Lancelot's Obsession with Guinevere
• Lancelot's Humanity and the Holy Grail
• The Breaking of the Round Table and the Values It Represents

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay examines the paradoxical presentation of Lancelot in Malory's Le Morte Darthur, focusing on his adulterous relationship with Queen Guinevere and the impact this has on the narrative. It explores the ways in which Malory portrays Lancelot's duality as both the "best knight of the worlde" and a flawed human being.

• Lancelot's popularity as a knight and the contradiction of his adulterous relationship
• The significance of Lancelot's disguises and their impact on his moral probity
• The Castle of Case episode and its revelation of Lancelot's obsession with Guinevere
• The connection between Lancelot's humanity, his love for Guinevere, and his inability to achieve the Holy Grail
• The breaking of the Round Table and the shift in values it represents, moving from courtly love and warfare to the pursuit of the Holy Grail

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The essay begins by exploring the paradoxical nature of Lancelot's presentation in Malory's Le Morte Darthur. Despite being hailed as the "best knyghte of the worlde," Lancelot's adulterous relationship with Guinevere casts a shadow over his character. The essay then examines how Lancelot's use of disguises raises questions about his moral probity, arguing that these disguises are an attempt to confirm and experience his own identity as Lancelot. The Castle of Case episode is analyzed as a pivotal moment, revealing Lancelot's obsession with Guinevere and his tendency to act impulsively when she is involved. This episode also connects Lancelot's humanity, his love for Guinevere, and his inability to achieve the Holy Grail. The essay concludes by discussing the breaking of the Round Table, arguing that it symbolizes a shift in values from courtly love and warfare to the pursuit of the Holy Grail.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary themes and concepts explored in this essay include Lancelot's paradoxical presentation, courtly love, adultery, disguise, the Holy Grail, the Round Table, and the fall of Camelot. The essay also draws on key insights from literary critics such as Scala, Edwards, Lumiansky, and Lynch to provide a comprehensive analysis of Lancelot's character and its impact on Malory's narrative.

• Université: Churchill College, Cambridge
• Note: 2.1
• Auteur: David Wheeler (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2011
• Pages: 10
• N° de catalogue: V174933
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640955893
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640956142
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: presentation, lancelot, malory, morte, darthur