Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Role of Religion
Although perhaps a more subtler theme, the notion of religion and the role of God and morality are prevalent in the tale. The many references to God and the religious "kick" that Launcelot goes on, as well as Guenevere's promise to God bring many interesting questions to surface. Are the characters truly religious people? Guenevere says, "Therefore, Sir Launcelot, wit thou well I am set in such a plight to get my soul-hear; and yet I trust through God's grace that after my death to have a sight of the blessed face of Christ, and at domesday to sit on his right side, for as sinful as I ever was are saints in heaven." I wonder, whether her religious commitments are to be taken seriously or whether she is using this as a facade. Also, if she truly is religious then another question is what components of religion do the members of this society take seriously? It seems pretty hypocritical (to me at least) that the characters chose to suppress their worldly appetites as a sign of their true faith (as Launcelot later does when he embarks upon taking on a life with "no regard of no worldy riches") but yet they defy the first commandment which is not to kill. It is interesting to think about how they view killing while still apparently holding true to being religious. It seems as though Launcelot and the other characters turns to God during hard times ("Sir Launcelot threw his arms abroad, and said: Alas, who may trust this world. And then he kneeled down on his knee, and prayed the Bishop to shrive him and assoil him") but when things are going smoothly, they forget about following the commandments. It also seems as though religion is turned to during the end of one's life such as Guenevere whose final words concern God and her vow to never see Sir Launcelot. This seems to be a general theme in life, with the less religious becoming more devout as death approaches. When we think about violence it is interesting to think about how violence and religion are reconciled. My question is, can one be religious and violent simoltaneously in this society or does one counterract the other. It seems as though the former may be true, since the bishop even says that Launcelot was "the kindest man that ever struck with the sword" and thus we may be inclined to think that his actions are excused. On the other hand, the ending of the story reads: "And these four knights did many battles upon the miscreants or Turks. And there they died upon a Good Friday for God's sake" and this seems almost to be a comical way of saying that their actions are perhaps hypocritical and defy the essence of peace and love which are central to religion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Reem brings up a really cool point that I had not given much thought to while reading "Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere" with respect to the notion of religion and the tendency of major characters to only call upon God when they are in dire straits. One thing I found especially compelling was the undertone of forgiveness or repentance that seems to permeate throughout the entirety of this specific book (even the very last line of the first book is "forgyffen") and the only reason Lancelot does not take any decisive action against Maleagant is because of this agreed upon apology and plead for mercy. Eventually, Lancelot does murder The second book follows a similar motif and ends with Lancelot reluctantly agreeing to forgive Queen Guinevere. The death of Maleagant at the hands of Lancelot, however, throws a wrench into the equation. Was there ever any real forgiveness or did Lancelot simply follow the wishes of his beloved? Was such an attack noble? Malory attempts to frame it this way, it appears, by acknowledging that Lancelot would only continue the battle if Maleagant was willing as well.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was quite taken back by the depiction of Guinevere and how evil she appears to be. Malory even writes that, perhaps, she simply used her charm and charisma to entice Lancelot into falling in love with her (since it seems almost impossible that anybody could fall for such a dark human being). When compared to several of the earlier books she comes across as completely unlikable and slightly villainous. It seems complicated then that both Arthur and Lancelot find her to be the most incredible woman in the world. Why did Malory shine such a negative light on the Queen? Was it simply because of her adultery? And, if so, why does Malory spend so little time discussing the affair? Just several small things that I found to be troublesome while doing this week's reading.
This question of religion’s role in the text is one I focused on for my first post in which I compared Merlin to a guardian angel/God himself. Even today, people stop to pray for good tidings, health, and safety for themselves and others. What we can also take from the lives of the average family man is his impressive attendance record in church on Sundays. My point in addressing this fact is because there is no evidence of church-going or religious gatherings in the text because, as Reem said “when things are going smoothly, they forget about following the commandments.”
ReplyDeleteAs knights sworn to do the bidding of their king and protect not only their king but also their honor, they are bound to a life of servitude. They are to serve themselves, their king, their people, and their God. Instances of each of these forms of service are littered throughout the text. When Sir Lancelot du Lake sought the adventures of the Sangrail he ran came upon a gentle woman riding atop white horse “he commended her unto God, and so he rode till that he came to a cross, and took that for his host as for that night. And so he put his horse to pasture, and did off his helm and his shield, and made prayers unto the cross that he never fall in deadly sin again;”(347) This theme of calling upon religious beleifs when in need is supported as Sir Lancelot removes all of his armor as he sleeps outdoors at the foot of a cross. Adversely, when he is clad in armor, he is prepared to attack or defend himself from enemies, and thus need not rely on religion or prayer. For example when Lancelt fought Tarquin we find imagery of “two wild bulls, rushing and lashing with their shields and swords”(106)
It’s as if knights keep aspects of their lives separate as to avoid internal conflict when doing what needs to be done. I suppose this could be deemed as hypocritical as when “the characters chose to suppress their worldly appetites as a sign of their true faith (as Launcelot later does when he embarks upon taking on a life with "no regard of no worldy riches") but yet they defy the first commandment which is not to kill” But I believe this also goes hand in hand with idea of having two opposite halves which form a whole. Keeping two aspects of one’s life separate, yet they comprise the opposing ideals of the man; the knight.