response mythology

 (Sarah)While reading the downfall of Camelot, there are three questions that come to light. The first is what are the series of events that led to the downfall? Next, who is to blame for the collapse will be answered. Lastly, if the difference in treatment of men and women played a part in this will be analyzed. This essay will explore these questions and make sense of the events that occurred.     When looking at the fall of Camelot, the start of it seems to begin with the quest of the Sangrail and the entrance of Galahad. With the seat Siege Perilous filled, they recognize this as a new beginning for the knights; they know once they set out for the Holy Grail, they will not come back together again (Malory 316). Hearing the knights vow to sacrifice their life to lay eyes on the Holy Grail, the king is upset knowing he will never have such honorable knights sitting at his table again, solidifying the idea of a new era being created (Malory 318). After, the king and queen celebrate the return of the few knights who survived, especially for Lancelot and Bors. Many jousts are held among the new knights of the Round Table, and many times Lancelot must win back the affection of Guenivere. This stands until Sir Meliagaunt accuses the queen of adultery after Lancelot slept in her bed (Malory 454). Lancelot must save the queen again from being put to death while also having the king’s anger after him. This begins the real fall of Camelot, with brotherhood being forgotten as knights pick sides in the war between Arthur and Lancelot.     Although the ruin is heavily blamed on both Sir Lancelot and Queen Guenivere by many, it is not solely the actions of those two that led to the downfall of Camelot. The blame could even start with Arthur, ignoring Merlin’s early warning that “Guenivere was not wholesome for him to take to wife, for he warned him that Lancelot should love her, and she him again” (Malory 50).  Even later it is mentioned that he has suspicions of their relations but due to everything Lancelot had done for him and his queen, he wanted to ignore it. (Malory 470). Between the high emotions of the men and heavy religious influence, there are many events that could have been executed differently. That is not to say that Lancelot and Guenivere were innocent in this, they ultimately were the main contenders for the destruction. While on the quest for the Holy Grail, Lancelot spent a large amount of time in repentance for his time with the queen, eventually though just to forget everything once she called for him again (Malory 332,453). Sir Bors tries to warn Lancelot of the consequences of his actions saying “…I dread me sore that your going this night shall wrath us all” and Lancelot replies that due to the fact that he’s not a coward, he will continue to see Guenivere (Malory 471). This instance shows immense selfishness of Lancelot, ignoring the pleas of his companion and abandoning his healing for the sake of his own desire.     Even though Lancelot and Guenivere are both guilty for the downfall of Camelot, there are still discrepancies in the way that they are treated as a result of the adultery. As soon as they realize they were caught, Lancelot goes back to his chamber to plan with his men on how to save Guenivere from being burned (Malory 476). The fact that they knew only the queen would be in immediate danger shows clearly who is honored more. When Mordred told the king of what happened, Arthur first exclaims for Lancelot, expressing his hurt that he will not only have to fight against his best knight, but that the Round Table will fall also because of those that will follow Lancelot instead of him. Only after that did he make mention of his wife, and the only thing said was how she will be put to death (Malory 478). Although the men strive for chivalry, the difference in their thinking and treatment of the knights and women, even a queen, is part of the reason for their demise. They call for equality but only to justify the queen being put to death, no mention of immediate repercussions is made for Lancelot.     The story of the fall of Camelot is due to love, the back and forth between a queen and a knight. Many events lead to this downfall, but the act of adultery between Lancelot and Guenivere is the ultimate end of Camelot. There are numerous characters in the reading and so many can be blamed for these events, although the primary responsibility does fall on Lancelot and the queen. There are great differences in their treatment following the outburst, adding to the reasons of what leads to their end.

 

Works Cited Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte DArthur: The Winchester Manuscript. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.