Power Displayed In Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte D Arthur

The Theme Power Displayed in Le Morte D’Arthur

Power can be displayed by role, strength, and actions in the medieval world. Many definitions come to mind when the word power is said. In Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur power is one of the main themes and is displayed frequently by many characters. Lancelot’s love for Guinevere has power over him and leads him to always having and on going affair with the wife of his best friend. The knights went on many adventures looking for the holy grail and showed their power throughout those. Finally, Arthur displays his power as King by making strong and tough decisions. Both men and women in Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur are defined by the amount of power they have and it largely determined their role in the medieval world.

Humans cannot only display power through their actions and strength, but things can have power over

them. Lancelot’s affair with Guinevere, the Queen, has power over him. “Then as the book saith, Sir Lancelot began to resort unto queen Guinevere again, and forgot the promise and the perfection that he made in the quest” (403). When Lancelot went on the quest for the grail, he could have gotten it if it was not for his ongoing affair. Due to all the times he sinned with the affair, he was not holy enough to receive the holy grail. He even promises to be a better person, finally somewhat seeing how dirty his affair is. But, that promise is soon broken due to the fact that he cannot stay away from the “love of his life”, Guinevere. Soon after the quest for the grail they both get caught by Arthur. “‘ For have ye no doubt, while I am a man living I shall rescue you.’ And then he kissed her, and either of them gave other a ring. And so the Queen he left there, and went unto his lodging”(474). Even though they were caught and had to be separated, they exchanged rings showing their love for eachother. Their love for eachother was not affected by being caught and they stayed true to each other. This is showing how much power their love had on them because even though people knew about the affair they did not stop seeing each other.
King Arthur uses his role as king and shows power.

He displays his power and authority a lot when he has to punish his wife, even though he did not want to because of her scandalous affair.

So then there was made great ordnance in this ire, and the queen must needs be judged to death. And the law was such in those days that whosoever they were, of what estate or degree, if they were found guilty of treason* there should be none other remedy but death, and either the mainour or the taking with the deed should be causer of their hasty judgement. And right so was it ordained for Queen Guinevere...theses proofs and experience caused King Arthur to command the Queen to the fire, and there to be burned. (478)

King Arthur loved his wife and hated to kill her, but he had to follow his own laws and show his power by announcing her death. As the King, he had lots of power and shows it when he has to kill the person he loves most. Being the King Arthur had a ton of power, so much it made it a struggle to try to put his wife to death. King Arthur’s title, “king”, automatically gives him

power.
Knights displayed power in their quest for searching for the holy grail. “And there with the seven knights set upon them three knights; and by fortune Sir Gwain slew one of the brethren, and each one of his fellows overthrew another, and so slew all the remnants” (327). It was three knights against seven other ones and because of their strength they still were able to pull out a victory.
And so he came stepping upon him: and when Sir Lancelot saw him come so armed with his sword in his hand, then Sir Lancelot flew to him with such a might and smote him upon the helm such a buffet, that the stroke troubled his brain, and therewith the sword broke in three. And the knight fell to the earth and seemed as he had been dead…(293)
Lancelot is fighting and due to his skills, strength and power he is able to defeat and kill his enemy. Lancelot was the best knight in the land because of the amount of power he received from always winning. These are just two examples of how the Knights, such as Lancelot displayed their power in their quest.
Power is one of the main themes in Le Morte D'Arthur. The first example is how the affair had the power over Lancelot and Gueinivere. Secondly, King Arthur used his role and authority to distribute his power across his kingdom. Finally, through the quest of the knights, they showed their power in many ways, especially Lancelot. Power was shown in many ways and these are just some of them.