There was a trend towards well-rounded, realistic characters during and throughout the Renaissance which probably began with, or at least as long as, the famous Le Morte D'Arthur by Thomas Malory. Characters in older novels were often unrealistic and one-dimensional. They were very specifically designed to reflect particular characteristics and lacked the flaws and intricate details of sophisticated, well-rounded characters. In the case of fabliau, a style of storytelling that originated in France and is seen in flashes in Chaucer's works, the characters are deliberately absurd, caricatures of realistic personality traits. Malory, however, drew characters with obvious, as well as realistic, flaws. Over a century after Malory's work, Shakespeare would create some of the most famous characters in the history of fiction, characters who became popular due to their accurate portrayal of the human condition. The moral but flawed protagonists of Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur, such as King Arthur and Sir Lancelot, laid the foundation for an entirely new era of fiction. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the Middle Ages, knights were evaluated according to something called the “Code of Chivalry.” The Code of Chivalry was a long list of rules that dictated a knight's conduct both on and off the battlefield. With rules such as "Always tell the truth" and "Fight for the welfare of all", it was essentially impossible to fully follow the Code of Chivalry at all times ("Knights' Code of Chivalry"); therefore, the best riders were the ones who got closest. Even the famous and fictional King Arthur and Sir Lancelot were incapable of living up to the high moral standards of the Code of Chivalry. However, their inability to behave perfectly makes them more compelling characters. King Arthur, for example, is a just and powerful ruler. He is much loved by his knights and subjects and conquers many lands. Arthur is also known for being honest, a quality that Lancelot seems to lack. Sir Bors says of Arthur, "...for there was never yet a man who could prove that King Arthur did not keep his promise" (Malory XX.VI). These traits are the ones present in every telling of King Arthur's story, the ones he is known for. For all his good qualities, however, Arthur has some fatal flaws. When Arthur learns of Guinevere's infidelity he is filled with anger. Malory writes, “These trials and experiences induced King Arthur to command the queen to burn the fire” (Malory XX.VII). Without thinking twice, he orders his wife to be burned. Gawaine, his nephew and one of his best knights, advises Arthur to give greater consideration to judgment. “My lord Arthur, I would advise you not to be too hasty, but to pause this judgment of my lady, the queen, for many reasons” (Malory XX.VII). The main reason he gives is that, although Lancelot was indeed in the queen's chambers, no one saw him do anything untoward. However, Arthur is not swayed and orders his wife burned regardless of his lack of evidence. Arthur's quest for revenge extends to Lancelot as well. He says, "And if I can take Sir Lancelot, with you well, he shall have a shameful death" (Malory XX.VII). Once Arthur's most trusted knight, Lancelot is now his greatest rival. Eventually, Arthur comes to his senses, as any just king would, and wishes to make amends with Lancelot and his wife. When overcome with sudden guilt, Arthur says: “Alas, if ever I hadbrought the crown on my head! For now I have lost the finest company of noble knights that ever kept together a Christian king" (Malory XX.IX). The King finally shows some remorse for breaking the bond his Knights of the Round Table shared. In fact, it was Gawaine who perpetuated Arthur's war against Lancelot. The text says that "... the noble King Arthur would take back his queen and make an agreement with Sir Lancelot, but Sir Gawaine would not tolerate it in any way" ( Malory XX.XII).Seemingly incapable of holding a grudge, Arthur is willing to end his feud with Lancelot even though his affair with Guinevere was "one of the many destructive elements that precipitated the downfall of the Round Table" (MacBain 60).In this passage Arthur redeems himself to a certain extent by showing his great capacity for forgiveness. However, Arthur does not seem to show much concern for his wife at any point in the story. and then in the midst of his feud with Lancelot, just as he expresses his guilt, he remarks, "...much more sorry am I for my good knights" loss than for the loss of my fair queen; for queens I may have enough now, but such a company of good knights will never be together in any company" (Malory XX.IX). Arthur considers his wife replaceable, less important than his precious knights. This attitude is probably what he has pushed Guinevere into Lancelot's arms in the first place. Malory does a great job of creating a more realistic King Arthur, who retains all of his most famous qualities, but is also a little rough around the edges. The famous knight retains his best-known qualities, such as strength, skill in battle and chivalry towards women are many mentions of Lancelot's strength states that "Sir Lancelot is a brave knight, and all you know that he is the best knight of us all... and I know of no knight who can equal him" (Malory XX.II). This statement is proven true when Agravaine and a small company of knights attempt to offer him a ambushed in the queen's chambers. The author writes that, "...there was none of the twelve who could resist a pat to Sir Lancelot" (Malory XX.IV). On numerous other occasions, Lancelot's distinctive quests are mentioned. While speaking to Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred in defense of Lancelot, Gawaine refers to these exploits by saying: "... you must remember how many times Sir Lancelot saved the king and queen... he saved me from King Carados of the Tower Sorrowful, and slew him, and saved my life. Besides, brother Sir Agravaine, and Sir Mordred, likewise Sire Launcelot hath saved you both, and sixty-two, from Sir Turquin," (Malory XX.I). The author further notes that "Sir Launcelot had done so much for [King Arthur] and the queen so many times" (Malory XX.II). In her article “Disarming Lancelot,” Elizabeth Scala explains that “It is through his actions, the extent to which he proves successful in armed battle, that Lancelot is known. But Malory also paints scenes in which Lancelot is unarmed that pose a significant challenge to his conception of Lancelot's identity” (Scale 1). Lancelot's strength and skill in battle are intact in Le Morte D'Arthur, but Malory also puts the knight's lesser-known dark side on full display. Although he is traditionally considered the symbol of chivalry, there are two particular passages in Le Morte D'Arthur that demonstrate clear contradictions in Lancelot's moral code. The first takes place in the queen's chamber when Sir Agravaine, Sir Mordred and a group of twelve other knights surprise Lancelot whohe sleeps with Ginevra. First, Lancelot violates the code of chivalry by lying about his relationship with Guinevere. He does this repeatedly throughout the book. When confronted by Sir Agravaine and the others, Lancelot calls through the door and declares that if they had allowed him to state his case before King Arthur instead of killing him, "...he would answer you as a knight should, that hither I come to the queen for no kind of bad engine, and this I will prove and make you good with my hands" (Malory XX.IV). In other words, he claims to be in the queen's chamber for no unpleasant purpose. Then, reasoning that he has no other choice, Lancelot kills all the knights except Mordred, whom he wounds, and flees the castle. Before doing so, however, he makes a speech to his mistress, Lady Guinevere: Then he took the queen in his arms, kissed her, and said: Most noble Christian queen, I pray thee, for thou hast been my every special possession. lady, and I am ever your true poor knight in my power, and as I have never failed you either for good or ill since the first day King Arthur knighted me, you will pray for my soul if I were here slain. (Malory XX, III)This scene is important to truly capture the nature of Lancelot's fatal flaw. Lancelot's eloquent speech to the woman he loves is phrased in such a way that he appears to be taking the moral high road; however, at its conclusion, Lancelot kills thirteen knights who were simply carrying out the king's orders and whom he once considered friends. It is as if Lancelot emphasized the parts of the code of chivalry that deal with courtly love and the treatment of women, and ignored those that have to do with honor and honesty. As if Lancelot's merciless slaughter wasn't bad enough, in the next chapter Lancelot recounts the events of the night to his nephew, Sir Bors, and a few others. He says: "I suppose it was done by treachery, yet I dare largely excuse his person, notwithstanding I was there according to a prediction nearly killed, but as Jesus provided me I escaped all their malice and treachery," (Malory XX .V) . Lancelot still refuses to admit his wrongdoings, and even goes so far as to accuse Sir Agravaine and the others of committing treason by attempting to capture him. The second scene that exposes Lancelot's contradictions takes place when he saves Guinevere from being burned at the stake. There are many knights there who have no choice but to protest Lancelot's mission and are killed as a result. “Then when Sir Launcelot had done thus, and slew and put to flight all that resisted him, then he rode straight to Lady Guinevere, and made a robe and a robe to throw over her; and then he made her sit behind him and begged her to be of good cheer" (Malory XX.VIII). This passage is another perfect example of how Lancelot overemphasizes the sections of the Code of Chivalry that pertain to courtly love and the proper treatment of women, and neglects those that pertain to loyalty and honor. The description is almost funny. Lancelot passes through dozens of knights who were once his companions without a second thought, but goes to great lengths to make sure Guinevere is comfortable riding his horse. According to Danielle MacBain, “These actions can be said to introduce greater realism into the tale even as they obscure Lancelot by showing him violating (quite brutally) the provisions of the Arthurian code” (MacBain 62). Malory doesn't mince words when it comes to degrading his protagonists; however, both Arthur and Lancelot ultimately make amends for their wrongdoings, once again cementing their status as honorable and famous men despite their flaws. In conclusion, King Arthur and Sir Lancelot are both. 2015.