Masculinity Of Lancelot In Malory's Le Morte D Arthur

The primary way in which Lancelot asserts his masculinity in Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur is through his chivalric prowess. His prowess is incomparable, as any masculine display is too easy for Lancelot. Lancelot cannot be defeated, and in most cases his combat is not closely contested, because of his significant superiority. Although, size and brute strength do not, by themselves, make an ideal knight. Lancelot is also a handsome and modest man. Lancelot’s ideal behavioural characteristics can be seen when Sir Ector says, “Thou were the head of all Christian knights! And now I dare say, thou Sir Lancelot, there thou liest, that thou were never matched of earthy knight’s hand! And thou were the courteous knight that ever bare shield! And thou were the truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrad horse, and thou were the truest lover of a sinful man that ever loved a woman, and thou were the kindest man that ever strake with a sword. And thou were the godliest person that ever came among press of knights…’” (Malory 225). On his deathbed, Lancelot is cascaded in a shower of compliments, where it is made clear to the audience how well regarded a knight Lancelot was. In both physical and behavioural aspects,

It appears that around every tree, around every bend in the round, and in any castle of village that the knight encounters, there is a damsel in need of his help, which almost always requires some sort of knightly violence.While Lancelot strives to serve all women, it is the figure of Guinevere and his devotion to her that produces his constant need to prove himself with deeds of physical valor or gentlemanly behaviour. Depicted as a true lover, the representation of Lancelot’s masculinity is characterized by devotion and