Sir Lancelot 🔒 Members

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Age and build

Described as a young man when first arriving at court

“even such one was Sir Launcelot du Lake when he came first into this court” (Morte Darthur 1, part 17)

Possesses great physical strength and mighty hands

“His battle-writhen arms and mighty hands Lay naked on the wolfskin” (Idylls Of The King, part 8)

Large black eyes, notably enlarged by leanness when wounded

“his large black eyes, Yet larger through his leanness” (Idylls Of The King, part 8)

Face and hair

Dark-splendid face of noble appearance

“Dark-splendid, speaking in the silence, full Of noble things” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)

When wounded, appears gaunt and unshorn

“Gaunt as it were the skeleton of himself” (Idylls Of The King, part 8)

Face described as beautiful and divine

“He had not dreamed she was so beautiful” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)

Dress

Wears enamelled arms in battle

“Whom glittering in enamelled arms the maid Glanced at” (Idylls Of The King, part 8)

Bears a shield of silver and black bends

“he beareth a shield of silver and black bends” (Morte Darthur 2, part 6)

Wears a red sleeve as favour at tournament

“A red sleeve Broidered with pearls” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)

Voice and speech

Speaks with courtesy and nobility

“Fair knight, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake” (Morte Darthur 2, part 5)

Mirthful but in a stately kind, with sudden tenderness

“Being mirthful he, but in a stately kind” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)

Speaks with melancholy and gravity about his sin

“O King, my friend, if friend of thine I be, Happier are those that welter in their sin” (Idylls Of The King, part 9)

Signature words

Frequently uses 'fair' when addressing others

“Fair knight, said Sir Launcelot” (Morte Darthur 2, part 5)

Uses 'truly' to affirm statements

“Truly, said Sir Launcelot, an I were required I was never loath to tell my name” (Morte Darthur 2, part 5)

Addresses others as 'madam' with respect

“Madam, said Sir Launcelot, ye understand full well I was never willing nor glad of shameful slander” (Morte Darthur 2, part 20)

Employs 'God' in oaths and expressions

“So God me help, said Sir Launcelot, ye shall right well wit I was never of no such conditions” (Morte Darthur 2, part 20)

Gait and mannerisms

Rides with distinctive bearing and great strokes

“I see well by his riding and by his great strokes” (Morte Darthur 2, part 20)

Hums to himself while tending his horse

“There to his proud horse Lancelot turned, and smoothed The glossy shoulder, humming to himself” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)

Demonstrates sudden violence when provoked

“rushing outward lionlike Leapt on him, and hurled him headlong” (Idylls Of The King, part 11)

Shows melancholy that clouds his face

“when the living smile Died from his lips, across him came a cloud Of melancholy severe” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)

Strengths

Greatest knight in the world, unmatched in combat

“the man of most worship in the world” (Morte Darthur 1, part 17)

Possesses extraordinary physical strength

“he set his hands upon the bars of iron, and he pulled at them with such a might that he brast them clean out of the stone walls” (Morte Darthur 2, part 20)

Demonstrates unwavering loyalty to the king

“there is neither king, queen, nor knight, that beareth the life, except my lord King Arthur, and you, madam, should let me” (Morte Darthur 2, part 20)

Repeatedly rescues the king and queen from danger

“ye must remember how ofttimes Sir Launcelot hath rescued the king and the queen” (Morte Darthur 2, part 21)

Flaws

Harbours illicit love for Queen Guenever

“all of pure, Noble, and knightly in me twined and clung Round that one sin” (Idylls Of The King, part 9)

Suffers from madness and melancholy

“My madness came upon me as of old, And whipt me into waste fields far away” (Idylls Of The King, part 9)

Cannot bring himself to leave the queen despite knowing it is wrong

“And Lancelot ever promised, but remained, And still they met and met” (Idylls Of The King, part 11)

Rejects the love of Elaine despite her devotion

“But now there never will be wife of mine” (Idylls Of The King, part 8)

Traits

Renowned for courtesy and noble bearing

“Sir Launcelot is called peerless of courtesy and of knighthood” (Morte Darthur 1, part 15)

Never before wore token or favour of any lady

“never or that day, I nor none other knight, I dare make good, saw nor heard say that ever he bare token or sign of no lady” (Morte Darthur 2, part 19)

Shows mercy and compassion to defeated foes

“I have nothing done but that me ought for to do” (Morte Darthur 1, part 11)

Demonstrates sacred fear and reverence

“Then came on him a sort of sacred fear” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)

Struggles with inner conflict between duty and desire

“the wholesome flower And poisonous grew together, each as each, Not to be plucked asunder” (Idylls Of The King, part 9)

Lines in their own words

Refuses to accept surrender unless given to the queen

“I will not take your yielding unto me. But so that ye will yield you unto Sir Kay the Seneschal, on that covenant I will save your lives, and else not” (Morte Darthur 1, part 11)

Declares his identity to Tristram

“Fair knight, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake” (Morte Darthur 2, part 5)

Expresses his anguish over his sin to the king

“O King, my friend, if friend of thine I be, Happier are those that welter in their sin” (Idylls Of The King, part 9)

Refuses Elaine's plea to marry her

“Had I chosen to wed, I had been wedded earlier, sweet Elaine: But now there never will be wife of mine” (Idylls Of The King, part 8)

Declares his unwavering loyalty to the queen

“Love-loyal to the least wish of the Queen” (Idylls Of The King, part 11)

Refuses to wear a lady's favour before Elaine

“Fair lady, since I never yet have worn Favour of any lady in the lists” (Idylls Of The King, part 7)