First off, I have to say this was the first reading that I could not put down, ignoring the fact that I read during my night class.
I don’t know if I’m just a sucker for fairy tales or what, but I don’t think I could even begin to doubt Lancelot and the Queen’s love. And while Lancelot continuously sacrifices for his love, I feel like the Queen sacrifices and suffers as well. Even though the story doesn’t end with them together, they are still able to be near in each and continue to hope for a chance at some recognition of love.
The other thing I really liked about this tale is that all of our favorite characters come around. Arthur’s hanging out, Gawain’s the trusty best friend, the usual love interest is there in the Queen, and the evil forces take the shapes of men, dwarfs, and skeezy women. It’s like our own soap opera on paper. I think I even recall a scene in the story as a scene in the movie “A Knight’s Tale” with the ever-ruggedly handsome Heath Ledger.
The only character I really truly don’t like is Kay. Why is he such a pansy? And why in the world did King Arthur think it was a good idea to entrust Kay with the Queen? He’s the biggest loser I ran across in this story. Even when Meleagant has his arm chopped off, he continues to fight out of pride.
Lastly, I laughed when the narrator has to say, “But their joy will not be revealed by me, for in a story, it has no place.” So, he can’t talk about them having sex, I would guess?
Three cheers for Lancelot. Are we sure this type of guy doesn’t exist anymore?