Courtly Love Expressed in Lancelot, or The Knight of the Cart Lancelot is an excellent work to reference when examining courtly love within Arthurian legends. Chretien de Troyes wrote Lancelot in the late 12th century; he dedicates his work to Lady Marie de Champagne. Chretien expresses in the beginning of the romance that everything that is written in Lancelot, comes from Lady Marie de Champagne herself. He does this, most likely, because of the main theme of adultery within Lancelot. Quite possibly for the same reason, Chretien does not finish the work. It is Godefroy of Lagny who completes Lancelot. There are many illustrations of Lancelot’s love for Guinevere and instances of Arthurian courtly love throughout the work. The legend …show more content…
He does this in a way that makes Love seem almighty and powerful, which helps to illustrate the power of the love between Lancelot and Guinevere. Ultimately, Lancelot chooses to ride in the cart, so he can make his journey to Gorre with more information of the queen (Chretien 117). In “The Rules of Love,” Capellanus writes “An easy attainment makes love contemptible; a difficult one makes it more dear” (Rule 14). Chretien certainly embraces this pillar in Lancelot. As we see in the romance, the work describes the knight’s journey as a dangerous and challenging one, but Lancelot perseveres and the couple’s endless love will outlast all of their challenges, whether physical or …show more content…
(It is important to note that Gawain and Lancelot are motivated to rescue the queen for different reasons. Gawain is motivated by definitions of Arthurian chivalry, while Lancelot is motivated by his undying love for Guinevere.) She says, “Sir, my lodging nearby is set to welcome you if you are willing to accept my hospitality. But you may lodge there only if you agree to sleep with me.” Lancelot says that he appreciates her hospitality, but he prefers not to sleep with her. The woman hears this and denies Lancelot lodging, so the knight agrees and goes inside her home. (Chretien 123). It is important to note that Lancelot did not want to sleep with the woman, but he desperately needed a place to stay for the night. He always intended on staying faithful to Guinevere, but he did not have any other choice. In Andreas Capellanus’ The Rules of Love, rule number 24 states that every action done by a love is done with the other lover in mind. This holds true during this particular situation and throughout the rest of the romance. After an odd encounter with a rapist knight and other men of the woman’s household, Lancelot and the woman go to bed. He made an effort not to touch the woman. Chretien explains why Lancelot was so cold to the woman, “He could show her no favor. But why? Because his heart, which was focused on another, felt nothing for her (…) The