honor, violence – In this text these two themes are wholly intertwined and thusly they are better served when discussed in unison. The story of the great knight Lancelot begins with the capturing of the Queen to which the proud class of warriors must respond and avenge this injustice to their lord’s companion; it is both their duty and their means of climbing the social latter, during these times. Their acts of heroism are inspired by a sense of honor that is staunchly defended via various violent encounters with feuding knights who have in some way, shape or form challenged their notions of self respect. The knights’ reputations proceed them in the work because of their previous skirmishes. For instance, Lancelot is known have ridden on the cart in the new places he journeys as well as being received as a hero by townspeople of whom he had never met prior because of the one of any number of violent victories he had won. The extreme to which these various conquests were esteemed can be seen in the way that women of the work are very much willing to submit their bodies to the knights as a show of respect for the honor that they have laboriously fought to safeguard. The knights are treated with the utmost of care because they serve to protect the community, the big stick that they carry is the means of maintaining; it preserves their freedom and notions justice, which are often associated with vengeance for a past wronging (ie. slander). The prevalence of violence within these warrior communities can be easily traced when the “damsel” requests of Lancelot to sever off and reward her with the head of a hated knight; a request that Lancelot fulfills, much to his delight because later on the same woman frees him from Meleagant’s prison after all else have seemingly abandoned hope of rescuing him. Even Meleagant has a sense of honor that inspires his actions, and although he is posited by the work as evil and ultimately is killed because of his stubborn pride, he is simply trying to gain the fame and spoils he sees bestowed upon the likes of Lancelot and other renowned warriors. Physical dominance was prized due to the association that fighting had with the notions of honor and bravery at play; if someone were to challenge your honor you must respond swiftly, Lancelot condemns himself for hesitating on multiple instances, and severely by being merciful but to a few.
“You need never use arguments with me… I am ready to fight to prove to the extent of my power that he never was guilty of such a thought.” Lancelot