First Encounter Between Lancelot & Guenivere In “The Legend Of King Arthur”

Table of Contents

The beginning

Talking

Works cited:

Inaugural

Original: She was very quiet

Paraphrased: She was very subdued.

Arthurian Legend is a collection stories in multiple languages about the adventures of King Arthur and his kingdom. This legend has been passed down through the centuries and is still popular today, with many films bringing it to life. Given the wide variety of films available to tell the Legend of King Arthur’s story, there will be many different versions. It is imperative to analyze the different depictions and interpretations of medieval tales due to the fact that films are more influential than books. The Excalibur, which features the first meeting of Lancelot and Guenivere, is written by John Boorman in 1981. It portrays an archetypal knight in shining armor who is bound to his King’s duty. Jerry Zucker’s 1995 First Knight depicts the Lancelot as a more modern adventure-seeker.

Lancelot meets Guinevere at Excalibur for the first time and is welcomed enthusiastically by one of their acquaintances. “Here’s Arthur’s greatest knight… He’s here to escort your to the King”, an acquaintance exclaims animatedly (Boorman). Guinevere is excited to learn of Lancelot’s arrival and rushes in her direction. It’s obvious she is happy and excited. Lancelot, however, seems disinterested. He doesn’t even acknowledge her presence, just looks at her. The entire scene is silent. He leaves. He is now more focused on his duty of transporting Guenivere to King. Lancelot is most notable for his full regalia. He is the typical “knight with shining armor”. Guinevere might be attracted to his appearance. Me

The following scene shows Guenivere and Lancelot riding side-by side. Women giggle at Lancelot’s mannerisms and appearance. He is the “knight wearing shining armor”, which “every woman” fantasizes about. Guenivere is very interested in Sir. Lancelot’s life. She questions Lancelot about his feelings for the women who are staring at her. However, Lancelot’s response is quite disappointing. Lancelot’s words are so disappointing that she gives up, feeling defeated. Lancelot insists that he has “sworn to this quest.” He says, “I’ll love you forever.” I will be my queen and my wife, and I will cherish you while you are alive.” (Boorman). He has sworn to the cause of honor and has been sworn. This is the Lancelot of The Lancelot-Grail Reader, Selections from Medieval Arthurian Style.

Guenivere, Lancelot and their companions are ambushed by a caravan that Guenivere was traveling with. Guenivere escapes, but her attackers catch up to her and she hides in a thicket. Lancelot grabs Guenivere and covers her mouth, so she doesn’t make any noise and is not visible to the attackers. There is eventually a fight. Lancelot defeats the raiding party members and saves Guenivere.

Guenivere is astonished at Lancelot’s skills and charm. He even offered to risk his life in order to save his wife’s life. Lancelot is a normal citizen in the forest going about his business when he meets the caravan and raiders. He doesn’t wear armor and seems not to be bound by any duty. He is a wanderer. He is also an adventurer. And he is a showman. “As certain tomorrow as the sun rises, somewhere, there’s a man superior to me,” he teases (Zucker).

Lancelot is modernized in The First Knight. The movie was released a decade after Excalibur. It is evident that Lancelot’s character as well as his behavior in the movie are vastly different. Excalibur depicts Lancelot as a knight wearing shining armor. He is focused on his duty and is not open to distractions. Lancelot, on the other side, is a wanderer who lacks honor. Lancelot in excalibur swears loyalty to his King. He puts others’ needs before his own. Lancelot in First Knight has a tendency to be self-centered. He is driven by only his interests up until the moment he meets Guinevere. Guenivere (Zucker), says that he does not understand honor.

DiscussionAdaptations of historical legends, in the form of films, are bound to present slightly or immensely varying accounts of the events, especially if they are released in different eras, and inevitably, if they are directed by different persons, and target varying audiences. Movies like these are not accurate depictions of events. This is due to many factors such as the events that shaped the movie, nostalgia, and the needs of audiences Williams.

Beatie says that Excalibur tried to tell the whole Arthurian story, but film couldn’t capture every detail. Grindley also claims that both First Knight and Excalibur are extremely inaccurate, despite their differences. Grindley claims that accuracy in medieval films cannot be achieved. Grindley adds that it is impossible for people to accurately judge films like medieval ones.

Excalibur’s Lancelot, the shining-armored knight, is the epitome of Excalibur. He is honorable. He swears loyalty to the King as illustrated in The Lancelot-Grail Reader. In First Knight, however, he is a wanderer who has no loyalty to any particular ideal or person. Films can’t capture the same detail as text, so they are more open to imagination. Films can’t be exact. Films are affected by many factors, including the text they were drawn from, directors’ whims, and audiences’ expectations. Also, medieval movies are historical accounts that may not please medievalists and enthusiasts in regards to accuracy. However, many people in the audience won’t be able to discern any deviations.

Works cited:

Beatie, Bruce A. “Arthurian Films And Arthurian Texts”: Problems Of Reception, Comprehension. Arthurian Interpretations (1988).: 65-78. Print.

Excalibur. Dir. John Boorman was the original creator. Warner Bros. Pictures released the movie in 1981. First Knight tells the story of the legendary King Arthur and his struggles to unite the lands of Britain. The film follows Arthur’s journey as he meets his future wife, falls in love and faces off against a rival kingdom in order to save his own. Along the way, Arthur learns the values of courage, honor and love that will help him become the great king he was destined to be. Dir. Jerry Zucker. Perf. Richard Gere and Sean Connery with Julia Ormond

The movie “Columbia Pictures” was released in 1995. Film.Grindley by Carl James. “Arms and the Man. Curious Inaccuracy: Medieval Arms and Armor. Contemporary Film.”

Film & History: An Interdisciplinary Magazine of Film and Television Studies 36.1 (2006), 14-19.

Print.Williams, David. In the 1990 Yearbook of English Studies, an article was published which explored the genre of Medieval movies. (1-32) Print.