The Arthurian Legend of Lancelot has changed throughout the ages. Subsequently, the story “Lancelot, The Knight of the Cart” by Chrétien de Troyes and the poem “Lancelot and Elaine” by Alfred Lord Tennyson have contrasting plots, but they ultimately contain the same theme. In the multiple accounts of Lancelot, his actions create unique, different situations. In turn, he must live with the consequences of his actions. Lancelot has changed, and will continue to evolve, whether it is focused on his heroism or another aspect of his character. Much of Lancelot's character and story are based off the topics of love and chivalry, and are prevalent in many of the accounts of Lancelot. Despite that the legend shifts its focus from Lancelot’s chivalrous …show more content…
Inevitably, She precedes to get angry at Lancelot for being adulterous, and backstabbing one of his greatest friends, the king. Queen Guinevere’s anger accidentally tosses a gem, that Lancelot had won from a tournament, results in the death of the keeper of Lancelot’s shield, Elaine. Lancelot’s blindness to see past his true love for Guinevere causes senseless pain, and exposese his weakness in the ability to handle love. His actions causes more grief when Elaine says to Lancelot, “I loved you, and my love had no return,/ And therefore my true love has been my death,” as she dies (Tennyson). Therefore, Lancelot has two major sins on him: committing adultery and indirectly causing murder. The sins in the story are made clear to the reader in order to emphasize a religious standpoint. The time period in which “Lancelot and Elaine” was written was during a time of a religious awakening particularly within the Christian religion. Literature during the Renaissance brought attention to the lack of people following God’s laws and commandments. Tennyson’s “Lancelot and Elaine” illustrates through lituret what people at the time were thinking as well as getting taught. Lancelot is molded into a character that people should avoid