Comparing Knight Of The Cart And Enide's Erec

The Driving Force of Love Beginning with Lancelot from Knight of the Cart, and following with Erec and Enide’s Erec, both protagonists demonstrate how their love for their respective lady alters their mindset when faced with dire situations. Both Erec and Lancelot are presented with multiple challenges as they set out to accomplish their respective adventures and are equally guided, and sometimes restricted by, love. In comparison they react considerably different once affected by love, Erec becomes lazy and unmotivated while Lancelot is faced with not only an abundance of knights but also his sense of honor on his quest to prove his love.

Lancelot is initially tested when he reaches a dwarf with a cart and slightly hesitates to climb in, “But Love, which was enclosed in his heart, urged and commanded him to climb into the cart at once”PAGE 174. Without fear of losing his honor, as one does when they climb into a cart, Lancelot solidifies his love for Guinevere,

Instead of himself proving that he can go out and adventure while truly being together and in love with his wife, he challenges Enide to prove herself. Not allowing her to speak for whatever reason was the task at hand as she led the way through the forest, even if she happened to see another knight along the path. Erec expressed nothing but anger during most of their adventure, noting every time Enide forewarned him of incoming knights and he would utter deep sorrow for her as she had done what he forbid. It seems rational from an outsider’s perspective to assume she is being tested, but not knowing where Erec’s emotions are at prohibits any true accuracy to the situation. Based on the ending of the story it would hint that Erec was trying to see if Enide truly did love him enough to ignore his instructions countless times and demonstrate her willingness to cause anger from him to her for his own