Sir Lancelot Character Analysis

How would you describe Sir Lancelot? Most people would say he is the strongest, bravest, and kindest knight of the round table. Some might say he is the biggest Benedict Arnold of all time because of the adultery he committed with Queen Guinevere. However, his chivalry and code of honor make him the epitome of a true gentleman. These contrasting qualities set Sir Lancelot apart from all the other knights and characters in the “Morte D’Arthur.” Lancelot’s gallant, courageous, and conflicting personality make him a complex character in this dramatic tale of love and betrayal.
Sir Thomas Malory develops Sir Lancelot’s persona inconsistently. He greatly emphasizes Sir Lancelot’s courage throughout the story, but he also hints at cowardice within him. Sir Lancelot’s outstanding courage is made clear when Sir Gawain mentions to Sir Agravain, “he rescued me… and saved my life” (p 440). Later on, the opposing view of Sir Lancelot is established after he “smote Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth upon the brain-pans” as “they were

unarmed and unwares”(p 445). Although Sir Lancelot was not aware of who he was striking as he bravely rescued the queen, one can still argue that he is a coward. He blindly killed his fellow knights of the round table without hesitation. These simultaneous acts of cowardliness and courage certainly bring Sir Lancelot’s knighthood into question. In the words of Janet Jesmok, “Sir Lancelot du Lake, the best knight in the world and Malory’s paragon of chivalry, harbors a defiant alter-ego”(p 81).
Although Sir Lancelot is said to be the strongest knight of them all, Sir Malory gives us clues that would lead us to infer otherwise. Sir Lancelot’s strength is undeniably great. In previous tournaments he slew “countless opponents when facing them directly man to man” (Harrington 68). Sir Lancelot is at his core a “killing machine” (Jesmok 86). Nevertheless, when Lancelot learns of Queen Guinevere's death he regrets his actions and loses his will to live. He becomes weak in spirit because he learns that the Queen no longer wished to see him. Afterward he “never ate but little” and he “sickened more and more” (p 454). The fact that Lancelot decided to give up on living shows us “the struggle within him” and it also shows us that “His actions counter his image” (Jesmok 86).
Besides being the strongest and the bravest Sir Lancelot is also regarded as the most chivalrous knight of the round table.

Sir Malory once again makes us ponder whether this could be true after we witness Lancelot’s actions in “Morte D’Arthur”. Sir Lancelot’s heroism and constant response to King Arthur’s call of duty show us that he is chivalrous. However, once Sir Lancelot “slew Sir Agravain, and after twelve of his fellows” his chivalry was stained (p 444). The controversy of Lancelot’s chivalry is inflamed when his “love for Guinevere drives him into battle” and causes the “deaths of Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris” (Harrington 67). Is the killing of several people justified by one act of chivalry? Sir Lancelot essentially “modifies his points of honor” in order to justify his actions.(Harrington 69) Sir Lancelot’s need to modify his code of honor in order to escape a predicament let us know that his character is at times

contradictory.
In conclusion, we can safely say that Sir Lancelot’s character is complex. Sir Lancelot has a plethora of righteous acts under his belt. Among these righteous acts are the rescue of Queen Guinevere and other knights during a time of war. Sir Lancelot devalues his dignity by committing the treacherous acts of adultery and murder. Although these acts smear Lancelot’s image, it is thanks to them that we can see his true character.