I have several questions surrounding this reading, but there thing in this story that simply makes no sense. How in the world did Arthur and the rest of the Knights fail to recognize Lancelot?!
Lancelot disguised himself with different armor, a new shield, and with a red token that he received from Elaine. As long as he was silent, and stayed out of a fight, he wouldn't be recognized. But when he and Lavayne went into the tournament, King Arthur and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table somehow failed to pick up on Lancelot's fighting style. Even when He was asked who he was, no one was able to the voice as Lancelot's. That makes no sense at all.
While the other knights might be deceived, I think Arthur is aware. Twice he mentions that he won't say who the knight is: "'My lords,' said the king to his companions, 'I have just seen a knight who, I am sure, will compete in the tournament.' 'Who may that be?' 'Just now I shall not tell you!'" (458) And: "'Who is that wonderful knight?' asked Sir Gawain. 'As yet I may not reveal his name,' the king replied." (460) This leads me to believe Arthur might have known the whole time that it's Lancelot, which only brings up more questions!
ReplyDeleteThat is actually a really good point!
DeleteI agree with Esther - I do think Arthur knew.
ReplyDeleteHowever, here's a thought ... maybe the other knights are just unable to recognize him because they would never do what he is doing. Remember that Lancelot is kinda who they all want to be; he's the golden boy with the perfect reputation. It would probably never occur to them that he might not WANT to be recognized because they would do an awful lot to get the kind of recognition that he has. They just guess that the kickass knight must be a dude from some other kingdom whom they have never seen before.
I also agree with Esther's response of Arthur knowing that the "mystery knight" was Lancelot. Even though it was strange that Arthur wouldn't admit to others that it was Lancelot, it seemed like an act of protecting Lancelot. From other Arthurian myths, they seem like they have developed some relationship of some sort. I also think that Arthur found it better that no one knew that it was Lancelot because it not only kept the knights guessing, but they also continued to admire Lancelot for simply his talents, rather than just his name.
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