King of Brittany Ban, a loyal ally of Arthur, was attacked by his sworn enemy Cloud, and after a long war, Ban was left with only one fortress, in which he was besieged by enemies. Finding himself in such a difficult situation, he decided to turn to Arthur for help and, under cover of night, fled from the fortress with his wife Elena and baby son Lancelot.

The fortress remained in the care of his seneschal, who immediately surrendered it to Cloud. The unfortunate king gave up his ghost when a burning citadel appeared in his eyes, and the saddened Elena left her son on the shore of the lake, and she hurried to her husband to take his last breath. When she returned, she saw that a nymph was holding her child in her arms, who, noticing the approaching queen, rushed with him into the lake. The nymph was Viviana, the beloved of the wizard Merlin, better known as the Lady of the Lake.

Lancelot got his nickname because he was trained at the court of this sorceress, whose palace was in the middle of a ghostly lake, which once deceived an African traveler. The illusory lake prevented aliens from entering her domain. Here she lived not alone, but surrounded by a large retinue, which consisted of beautiful knights and their ladies.

After two losses that befell her, the queen went to a monastery, where she was joined by the widow of the noble king Bors, who died at the moment when the fate of his brother Ban became known to him. His two sons, Lionel and Bore, were rescued by a faithful knight and appeared in the form of greyhounds in the castle of the lake, and there, having again taken human form, began to study together with their cousin Lancelot.

When the Lake Lady's apprentice reached the age of eighteen, the fairy sent him to King Arthur's castle to be knighted there. From the first minute of the young candidate's stay in the castle, his nobility, which, however, was not inferior to his courage and ability to wield weapons, captivated Guinevere, and her charms managed to inflame the most ardent and lasting feelings in him. Their love only intensified over time and had the most direct impact on the entire history of King Arthur. For the sake of Guinevere, Lancelot carried out the conquest of Northumberland, defeated Gallechat - the swamp king, who later became his most devoted friend and ally, participated in many fights and brought many captives to the feet of his sovereign.

Sir Lancelot

After King Arthur returned from Rome to England, all the knights of the Round Table gathered around him and staged many knightly tournaments and duels. Sir Lancelot of the Lake distinguished himself more than others, becoming the winner in all fights, tournaments and fights, including fights with a fatal outcome - none of the knights could surpass him, since he could only be defeated with the help of betrayal or sorcery.

They began to venerate him even more, and Queen Guinevere celebrated him more than other knights. It is clear that he loved the queen in a way he loved no woman. He performed many deeds for her, and his chivalry and nobility saved her from many misfortunes. Having amused himself with all kinds of entertainment, Sir Lancelot decided to go on a journey. He asked his brother Sir Lionel to get ready to go on an adventure with him.

So, fully armed, they mounted their horses and rode through the forest, and when it ended, a deep hollow opened up in front of them. It was approaching noon, and it was hot, Sir Lancelot wanted to sleep, and Sir Lionel saw a huge apple tree at the edge of the tree. He said:

Brother, we and our horses can rest in the shade of the apple tree.

Well thought out, said Sir Lancelot.

They dismounted, Sir Lancelot lay down with his helmet under his head, and soon fell fast asleep. Sir Lionel awoke while Lancelot was still asleep. The first thing he saw were three knights galloping towards them at full speed, followed by another one. Sir Lionel thought that he had never seen such a hefty knight. Quite a little time passed, and the bruiser overtook one of the warriors pursued by him and struck him with such force that he immediately fell to the ground. Then he overtook the second knight and hit him, and then did the same with the third knight. Then he dismounted and tied all three with his bridle.

What he saw interested Sir Lionel so much that he decided to find out everything himself. Quietly, so as not to wake Lancelot, he mounted his horse and rode after the giant knight. Approaching, he turned to him, but in response received such a blow that he fell to the ground along with the horse. The giant dismounted, tied up Sir Lionel and put him back in the saddle. Soon, all four prisoners were in the castle of the giant knight. He threw them into a deep pit, where there were already many knights who were in a terrible state.

Sir Lancelot was still asleep when four high-born queens appeared at his side. So that they would not be annoyed by the heat, four knights held a large piece of green silk above them on four spears, which protected the queens from the sun's rays. The queens themselves rode on four white mules. As they passed, they heard the menacing whinnying of a mighty horse. Looking in the direction from which the sounds were heard, they saw that a knight dressed in full armor was sleeping under an apple tree. Looking at his face, the queens immediately knew that they were Sir Lancelot. They immediately argued over which of them would become his beloved.

Let's not argue! - said the fairy Morgana, who was the sister of King Arthur. “I’ll put a spell on, after which he will sleep for six hours, and during this time we will deliver him to my castle. There he will have nowhere to go from me, I will remove the spell from him, and let him choose and love one of us.

The spell was cast, and they laid the sleeping Sir Lancelot on a shield tied to two horses. He was taken to the castle, where he was given chambers, and in the evening they brought dinner.

Early in the morning, four queens dressed in expensive clothes came to him and wished him good morning, and he answered them in kind.

Sir knight, they said, you must understand that you are our prisoner; we must also admit that we know you well. You are Sir Lancelot of the Lake, son of the King of Ban and the most valiant of the living knights. We also know that you only love Queen Guinevere, and since you have lost her forever and she is you, then you should choose one of us. I'm the fairy queen Morgana and these ladies are the queen of North Wales, queen Eastern country and the queen of the Outer Isles. Now answer which of us you choose. If you refuse to choose anyone, you will have to die in this dungeon.

Difficult choice, "answered Sir Lancelot," then I must either die or choose one of you. I would rather accept death in this prison, but preserve my honor, than take one of you as my mistress, for you are all insidious sorceresses.

Okay, said the queens. - This is your last word - are you giving up on us?

Yes! - answered Sir Lancelot, and with this his answer, saddened, they left.

At noon the girl came and brought him lunch. She asked:

How are you?

To be honest, it has never been worse, dear girl, ”the knight replied.

Sir, - she continued, - if you obey me, then I will be able to save you. Only promise that next Tuesday you will help my father, who will fight the king of North Wales; the thing is, my father was defeated last Tuesday.

Sweet girl, said Sir Launcelot, tell me your father's name and I will give you the answer.

Sir knight, my father's name is Bagdemagus, ”the girl said.

I know him well as a noble king and a beautiful knight; ready to serve both you and your father on the day indicated, said Sir Lancelot.

The girl left, and when she returned the next morning, the knight was already ready, and she led him through twelve locks and led him straight to his horse. The knight jumped into the saddle and immediately galloped away.

On the following Tuesday, he appeared in a small forest where the tournament was to take place. The eminences were already ready, where spectators with their ladies were located and where prizes were awarded. Then came the king of North Wales, accompanied by one hundred and sixty men at arms, and King Bagdemagus with eighty men at arms. The warriors got together with the lances at the ready, and in the first duel, King Bagdemagus missed twelve men, and the king of North Wales - four, and Bagdemagus's detachment got badly.

Then Sir Lancelot of the Lake appeared and directed his spear into the thick of the battle. Five knights fell under his blow at once; he knocked the king of North Wales out of the saddle, and he broke his hip in the fall. At some point, Lancelot discovered that not a single knight of the king of North Wales was left in front of him, and the victory was given to King Bagdemagus.

After the battle, Sir Lancelot went with King Bagdemagus to his castle, where he and his royal daughter indulged in joy and joy. The next morning, Lancelot began to say goodbye, telling the king that he was going to look for his brother Sir Lionel, who had left him sleeping.

So, he was on the road again, and by coincidence he again found himself in the same forest where he was overwhelmed by sleep. On the road he met a young lady riding a horse, and they greeted each other.

Dear lady, said Sir Lancelot, do you know anything in this land that can be an adventure for a knight?

Sir, ”she replied,“ there is plenty of adventure here, if not avoided.

Why don't I test myself? said Sir Lancelot. - For that is why I came here.

Sir, - continued the girl, - there is a knight not far from here, with whom no other man I know can compare, except, perhaps, you. His name is Sir Turkin. As far as I know, he is the worst enemy of King Arthur and more than sixty knights of Artur's court languish in his dungeon, whom he captured with his own hands.

Dear lady, - said Sir Lancelot, - I beg you, show me the way to this knight!

His castle is about a mile from here, to his left there is a watering hole where horses come to drink, and next to this watering hole there is a beautiful tree, all hung with the shields of those knights who could not defeat him and who are now languishing in his prison. A bowl made of copper and brass also hangs on the tree. Hit it and see what happens.

So Sir Launcelot rode where the girl had shown him, and soon found himself at the watering hole and the tree on which the shields and the bowl hung. Among the shields he discerned belonged to Sir Lionel, Sir Ector and many other knights he knew. Then Sir Lancelot struck the bowl with the blunt end of his spear once, then another, but no matter how much he struck, no one appeared in front of him. But then he saw a huge knight leading his horse by the bridle, on which was lying across the croup of another knight bound. As they got closer, Sir Lancelot thought he knew the captive knight. It was Sir Gaheris, brother of Sir Gawaine, Knight of the Round Table.

Come on, dear knight, - said Sir Lancelot, - take this wounded knight off his horse and give him a little rest, and during this time we will measure our strength. For, as I learned, you insulted and disgraced the Knights of the Round Table, and therefore defend yourself!

If you belong to the Round Table, then I call you and all your companions, said Sir Turkin.

Well, let's get down to business, - concluded Sir Lancelot.

After that, they took their spears at the ready and galloped at full speed towards each other. Each of them struck another blow to the center of the shield, from which their horses fell and crushed the knights under themselves. As soon as they managed to get out from under the horses, they immediately drew their swords and pounced on each other. Each managed to inflict many powerful blows, which neither shields nor armor could withstand. Quite a little time passed, and they had already managed to injure each other and were bleeding. In the end, they almost stopped breathing and stopped, leaning exhaustedly on their swords.

Now listen, buddy, "said Sir Turkin," you are the staunchest husband I've ever met, and you know how to fight without respite. If you are not the knight I hate more than anyone else for killing my brother Sir Carados, I would be ready to make peace with you and release all my captives as a sign of respect for you.

What is the name of the knight you hate more than the rest?

Indeed, said Sir Turkin, his name is Lancelot of the Lake.

I am Lancelot of the Lake, son of King Ban of Benwick, knight of the Round Table, and I challenge you to battle to the death.

Oh, - said Sir Turkin, - with you I wanted to meet more than anything in the world, and we will not part until one of us dies!

With these words, they began to fight each other like two bulls, swinging swords and shields with such fury that sometimes they even fell off their feet. So they fought for more than two hours, and all the ground around them was covered with blood. At some point, Sir Turkin turned very pale, began to lean back and lowered his shield from weakness. Sir Launcelot noticed this as the lion rushed furiously at the enemy, grabbed his visor and managed to bring him to his knees. After that, he tore off his helmet and with one blow separated his head from the body. When Sir Gaheris saw that Sir Turkin was dead, he said:

My lord, tell me your name, for today I saw the best knight in the world, because you just killed the one who was stronger and more skillful than anyone I have ever met before.

My name is Sir Lancelot of the Lake, and I had to avenge the insult inflicted on King Arthur, and even more for the insult inflicted on your brother and loved one, Sir Gawaine. And now I ask you: hurry to Turkin's castle and free all the captives you find there, for I have no doubt that among them there will be many knights of the Round Table and, of course, my brother Sir Lionel. Greet them all on my behalf, and let them take whatever they want from the castle. Tell my brother to go to the court and wait for me, and I myself hope to appear there before Trinity. Now new adventures await me.

With these words, he set off, and Sir Gaheris went to the castle, where he found the keys to the dungeon and released all the captives free. Among the freed were: Sir Kai, Sir Brandeles, Sir Galind, Sir Brian and Sir Aliduke, Sir Ector Outskirts and Sir Lionel, as well as many other knights. When they saw Sir Gaheris in front of them, they began to thank him for his release, because, looking at his wounds, they decided that he had killed Sir Turkin.

It’s not me at all to be thanked, but Sir Lancelot, he was the winner in the battle I witnessed.

Lancelot of the Lake (Sir Lancelot (or Launcelot) du Lac) is the hero of Arthurian myths, one of the most famous Knights of the Round Table. He became famous both for his exploits in the service of King Arthur, and for his incredibly strong love for Arthur's wife, Guinevere.

Lancelot was born in the family of King Ban of Benwick and his wife Elaine. When Lancelot was still very young, his parents had to flee from their native kingdom; forced them to this sworn enemy of King Ban, the lord of the Desert Lands Claudas (Claudas de la Desert; in other translations - Claude or Claudas). Fortunately, Ban and Elaine managed to capture the baby with them. While Elaine looked after her injured husband, the Lady of the Lake looked after the child; it was thanks to this supervision that Lancelot got his nickname. Over time, Lancelot was joined by his cousins, Lionel and Bors - they were defeated by one of the knights of Cloudas and saved by the same Lady; King Ban had died by that time, and Elaine was accompanied by her sister Evaine, who also later died.

At the behest of the Lady Lancelot went to the court of King Arthur. Sir Gawain helped Lancelot become a knight; shortly after his arrival, Lancelot met Queen Guinevere - and almost immediately fell in love with her. Ironically, one of Lancelot's first assignments was to save Guinevere from one of Arthur's enemies, Meleagant. This story, to some extent, echoes the classic Celtic myth of a husband saving his wife from a mysterious stranger.

Lancelot also acquired his real name during the next feat. During the journey, he - then still known only as the White Knight - came to the castle, guarded by the mysterious Copper Knight. To go into battle with the owner of the castle, Lancelot had to defeat ten knights on the first wall and ten knights on the second wall; in the end, there were much more opponents to fight with him, but with the help of the Lady of the Lake, he still managed to win. The Bronze Knight did not wait for the appearance of the knight, having escaped in time. The townspeople took Lancelot to the cemetery, where they showed him a metal plate; the inscription on the slab said that only one knight in the world could lift it, and that the name of this knight was written under the slab. The White Knight successfully coped with the task - and finally found his real name. Freed from the Bronze Knight, the castle became the fiefdom of Lancelot himself.

Lancelot played an important role in the conflict between Arthur and Galehaut. Galehot was both Lancelot's friend and Arthur's enemy; in the end, Lancelot convinced his friend to surrender to Arthur - for which he was later invited to the Round Table. Later, it was Galehot who convinced Guinevere to reciprocate Lancelot - which indirectly marked the beginning of a series of processes that led to the collapse of Camelot.

With Arthur's help, Lancelot was able to defeat Cloudas and reclaim his father's kingdom; however, he did not return to his fatherland, preferring to remain in Camelot.

The already popular Lancelot fell in love with the daughter of the Fisher King, Elaine of Corbenic. Posing as Guinevere, Elaine managed to seduce Lancelot - and carried from him a child (who later became Sir Galahad, who eventually managed to find the legendary Grail). Soon news of what had happened reached Guinevere; she drove Lancelot out of Camelot. It literally drove the knight crazy; after two years of wandering, he wandered into Corbenic - where Elaine, who loved him, could still recognize him through the outfit of a fool and a layer of mud. Elaine managed to heal her lover with the power of the Grail; shortly thereafter, Lancelot returned to Camelot - in the company of knights sent in search of him by Queen Guinevere.

Shortly after his return, Lancelot left Camelot again, traveling with Galahad and Percival in search of the Grail. Alas, infidelity to Guinevere and interest in earthly honors made Lancelot unworthy - he managed to see the Grail only for a moment. Lancelot's son was more fortunate - he even managed to drink from the coveted goblet.

Ultimately, it was Lancelot's love for the queen that led to the onset of a global crisis in the Arthurian world; their romance led to the death of Gawaine's brothers and sons, a quarrel between Gawaine and Lancelot, and Arthur's betrayal by Mordred. Hearing about Arthur's death, Lancelot went in search of his beloved; she blamed herself and the knight for what had happened and even refused to give Lancelot the last kiss, saying that he would never see her face in his life. Guinevere's prediction came true - their next meeting took place half an hour after Guinevere's death. The knight survived his queen by only six weeks; his ashes were buried in the castle once taken from the Bronze Knight.

Lancelot's story is a rather unusual example of a myth in which sincere love acts as a destructive force; it was Lancelot's love for Queen Guinevere that ultimately led to the fall of Camelot and the death of King Arthur.

Lancelot of the Lake (Sir Lancelot (or Launcelot) du Lac) is the hero of Arthurian myths, one of the most famous Knights of the Round Table. He became famous both for his exploits in the service of King Arthur, and for his incredibly strong love for Arthur's wife, Guinevere.

Lancelot was born in the family of King Ban of Benwick and his wife Elaine. When Lancelot was still very young, his parents had to flee from their native kingdom; forced them to this sworn enemy of King Ban, the lord of the Desert Lands Claudas (Claudas de la Desert; in other translations - Claude or Claudas). Fortunately, Ban and Elaine managed to capture the baby with them. While Elaine looked after her injured husband, the Lady of the Lake looked after the child; it was thanks to this supervision that Lancelot got his nickname. Over time, Lancelot was joined by his cousins, Lionel and Bors - they were defeated by one of the knights of Cloudas and saved by the same Lady; King Ban had died by that time, and Elaine was accompanied by her sister Evaine, who also later died.

At the behest of the Lady Lancelot went to the court of King Arthur. Sir Gawain helped Lancelot become a knight; shortly after his arrival, Lancelot met Queen Guinevere - and almost immediately fell in love with her. Ironically, one of Lancelot's first assignments was to save Guinevere from one of Arthur's enemies, Meleagant. This story, to some extent, echoes the classic Celtic myth of a husband saving his wife from a mysterious stranger.

Lancelot also acquired his real name during the next feat. During the journey, he - then still known only as the White Knight - came to the castle, guarded by the mysterious Copper Knight. To go into battle with the owner of the castle, Lancelot had to defeat ten knights on the first wall and ten knights on the second wall; in the end, there were much more opponents to fight with him, but with the help of the Lady of the Lake, he still managed to win. The Bronze Knight did not wait for the appearance of the knight, having escaped in time. The townspeople took Lancelot to the cemetery, where they showed him a metal plate; the inscription on the slab said that only one knight in the world could lift it, and that the name of this knight was written under the slab. The White Knight successfully coped with the task - and finally found his real name. Freed from the Bronze Knight, the castle became the fiefdom of Lancelot himself.

Lancelot played an important role in the conflict between Arthur and Galehaut. Galehot was both Lancelot's friend and Arthur's enemy; in the end, Lancelot convinced his friend to surrender to Arthur - for which he was later invited to the Round Table. Later, it was Galehot who convinced Guinevere to reciprocate Lancelot - which indirectly marked the beginning of a series of processes that led to the collapse of Camelot.

With Arthur's help, Lancelot was able to defeat Cloudas and reclaim his father's kingdom; however, he did not return to his fatherland, preferring to remain in Camelot.

The already popular Lancelot fell in love with the daughter of the Fisher King, Elaine of Corbenic. Posing as Guinevere, Elaine managed to seduce Lancelot - and carried from him a child (who later became Sir Galahad, who eventually managed to find the legendary Grail). Soon news of what had happened reached Guinevere; she drove Lancelot out of Camelot. It literally drove the knight crazy; after two years of wandering, he wandered into Corbenic - where Elaine, who loved him, could still recognize him through the outfit of a fool and a layer of mud. Elaine managed to heal her lover with the power of the Grail; shortly thereafter, Lancelot returned to Camelot - in the company of knights sent in search of him by Queen Guinevere.

Shortly after his return, Lancelot left Camelot again, traveling with Galahad and Percival in search of the Grail. Alas, infidelity to Guinevere and interest in earthly honors made Lancelot unworthy - he managed to see the Grail only for a moment. Lancelot's son was more fortunate - he even managed to drink from the coveted goblet.

Ultimately, it was Lancelot's love for the queen that led to the onset of a global crisis in the Arthurian world; their romance led to the death of Gawaine's brothers and sons, a quarrel between Gawaine and Lancelot, and Arthur's betrayal by Mordred. Hearing about Arthur's death, Lancelot went in search of his beloved; she blamed herself and the knight for what had happened and even refused to give Lancelot the last kiss, saying that he would never see her face in his life. Guinevere's prediction came true - their next meeting took place half an hour after Guinevere's death. The knight survived his queen by only six weeks; his ashes were buried in the castle once taken from the Bronze Knight.

Lancelot's plot is made up of Lancelot's wonderful upbringing as the Lady of the Lake (hence his nickname), the numerous vicissitudes of his love for Queen Guinevere - the wife of King Arthur, his futile participation in the search for the Holy Grail, the sin of adultery gravitating over him, the magic spell of the false Guinevere, conception Galahad, who seizes the Grail, is pure from sin, Lancelot's repentance and death.

Biography

Birth and upbringing

Lancelot's parents were King Ban and Queen Elaine in the country of Benwick (Brittany). (According to some versions, his original (or baptismal) name was "Galahad", but he changed his name, and later his son was named so).

King Ban fled his country and died. His wife gave the baby to a friendly fairy - the Lady of the Lake, who raised the boy.

Quest for the Grail

Tragic denouement and death of King Arthur

Relationship

• parents:
  • Ban, King of Benwick
  • Elaine, queen
• teacher:
• suzerain:
• beloved:
• spouse / cohabitant:
  • Elaine, daughter of King Peles (Elena, daughter of Pelléas)
• a son:
• other relatives:
  • Sir Ector (Hector de Maris)- half-brother, bastard son of King Ban
  • Sir Lionel - cousin, son of Bore the Elder, brother of King Ban
  • Sir Bore the Younger - cousin, son of Bore the Elder, brother of King Ban

Sources of folding the image

• the legends of Tristan and Isolde
• Breton legends
• "Proto-Lancelet"
• "The Knight in the Cart" by Chrétien de Troyes is the first work to focus on Lancelot
• "Lancelet" by Ulrich von Zatsikhoven
• The Book of Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevre by Thomas Malory

Plot handling in literature

Lancelot's plot appears relatively late in the Arthurian cycle. Celtic sources, unaffected by French influence, are completely unaware of him.

In the poetic courtly epic it is developed: "The Knight of the Cart" ( Le chevalier de la charrette) Chrétien de Trois and "Lancelot" by Ulrich von Zatsikhofen [late 12th century]; Lancelot also plays a more or less important role in a number of less significant novels, such as "Diu Krône" by Heinrich von dem Thurlin (c.), "Rigomer" and others.

In the thirteenth-century French prose novel, which depicts the decomposition and cyclization of the courtly epic, Lancelot's plot is at the center of the narrative; they adapt to it, the plot cycles of Merlin, the search for the Holy Grail and the death of King Arthur are contaminated with it. This is how a large prosaic novel about Lancelot was created around 1215, which underlies numerous alterations and retellings in almost all European languages ​​- German (Ulrich Fueterer and his successors), Dutch, Italian, English (which also includes the printed Mort d'Arthure by Thomas Malory, 15th century), Spanish, Portuguese. For centuries he determined the theme of the knightly novel.

All historically attested adaptations of Lancelot's plot in their main part can be easily reduced to Chrétien's "Chevalier de la charrette".

Storyline analysis

Thus, the plot of Lancelot in its main part - the glorification of the love of a vassal and a queen that breaks the bonds of church marriage and vows of feudal fidelity - is formalized by Chrétien de Troyes, the founder and greatest master of courtly literature in France, in a novel written at the suggestion of the author himself to promote the new " courtly "worldview and a new outlook on love.

Lancelot's plot is part of this literature - the expression of the first glimpses of a new individualistic worldview, with its rehabilitation of earthly joy and earthly love, with its sublimation of sexual relations in the form of "serving the lady" (see Courtesy literature). The traditional elements of the plot - if there were any at all - lose their significance compared to the new thematic setting. It is possible, as some researchers suggest, that the story of Lancelot and Guinevere is (like the story of Klides and Fenissa in another novel by Chrétien) only a "courtly" reworking of the plot of Tristan and Isolde).

In any case, the individualistic and anti-church sharpening of the plot was perceived quite clearly. This is evidenced by the enormous popularity of the plot in the era of the incipient disintegration of feudalism; this is evidenced by Dante's assessment of the plot of Lancelot, who puts into the mouth of Francesca da Rimini the famous reference to the novel about Lancelot (The Divine Comedy, Inferno, p. V, terzines 43-46).

The moment of protest against the traditional forms of ideology and life in Lancelot's plot did not escape Tennyson either: the poet laureate of the prosperous Victorian bourgeoisie perceives and interprets as purely "shameful" and "sinful", undermining the foundations of society, the episode of love between Lancelot and Guinevere ("Idylls of the King ").

In popular culture

In cinematography

• In the film "New Adventures of the Yankees at the Court of King Arthur" (1988) Lancelot is played by Alexander Kaidanovsky.
• In the film "To Kill the Dragon" (1988) "Lancelot's maternal descendant" is played by Alexander Abdulov.
• Franco Nero plays Lancelot in the film musical Camelot (1967).
• In the comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Sir Lancelot the Brave is portrayed by John Cleese.
• Lancelot is played by Richard Gere in The First Knight (1995). Merlin and other mythical components are absent here.
• In the film "Knights of the Round Table" (1953), he is portrayed by Robert Taylor.
• In the film "King Arthur" (2004), where Lancelot is played by Ioan Griffith, there are vast differences from the generally accepted legend - Lancelot dies at the hands of enemies, before Guinevere has not even become queen, and in general, the whole key story of their love and her role in death Arthur is completely ignored.
• The film Knight of Camelot (1998) stars James Coombs.
• Jeremy Sheffield stars in Merlin (English) Russian ...
• Noah Wyle plays the role in Guinevere. In this rather feminist interpretation, Guinevere and Lancelot have known each other from early childhood, as both learned the use of weapons and the knowledge necessary for noble knowledge from the Morgana Fairy, a priestess of the Mother Goddess.
• In the film "Lancelot of the Lake" by Robert Bresson.
• Michelle (Michael) Vartan plays the role in the film "The Mists of Avalon" (2001) by Uli Edel based on the novels of Marion Zimmer Bradley
• In the movie "Excalibur" (1981) John Burman
• In the anime series Fate / Zero (2011), Lancelot is reborn as Berserker's servant.
• In the TV series "Merlin" he is played by Santiago Cabrera

Bibliography

• I. Text editions: Chretien's Chevalier de la charrette - best edition: W. Foerster, Halle,;

also known editions:

• • Roman de Rigomer, W. Foerster;
  • Lanzelet, K. A. Hahn, Frankfurt a / M.,;
  • Diu Krône, Sholl, Stuttgart;
• a prosaic French novel preserved in numerous manuscripts and print media from the 15th century - The vulgate version of the Arthurian romances, ed. by H. O. Sommer, Washington, -;

Der altfranzösische Prosaroman von Lancelot del Lac, Marburger Beiträge, 2, 6, 8, -;

• retelling into modern French: Paris G., Les romans de la table ronde, P., -, III-IV;
• a prosaic version of the German retelling of Fueterer, Peter, 1886 (Bibliothek des lit. Vereins in Stuttgart);
• Middle Dutch verse retelling, ed. Jonckbloet, s'Gravenhage;
• English (Scottish) retelling of the 15th century, Stevenson,;
• English prose retelling - T. Mallory (Mort d'Arthure) - a number of editions, the best: O. Sommer, London, 1899; Italian
• prosaic retelling - old printed edition, reprinted.

• II. Bächtold, Lanzelet des Ulrich von Zatzikhofen, Frauenfeld, 1870; Maertens P., Zur Lancelotsage, Strassburg; Weston J. L., The legend of sir Lancelot du Lac, London; Lot F., Étude sur Lancelot en prose, P.,. See "Courtoise Literature", "Roman" (section "Roman knightly").

Links

• Lancelot- article from

Seizing the Grail, Lancelot's repentance and death.

Biography

Birth and upbringing

Lancelot's parents were King Ban and Queen Elaine in the country of Benwick (Beaufort en walle).

At baptism he was given the name Galahad; he subsequently named his son that way.

According to legend, the king's castle, located near the Broceliande forest, was considered impregnable. However, in order to ensure that his wife and son are completely safe, the king decides to leave the castle with his family and a few close associates, leaving the fortress to one of his loved ones. But when he returned for the last time, the king realized that he had been betrayed and that his castle had been burned down by his enemy, King Cloudas of the Wasteland. Unable to bear this picture, the king dies, leaving only his wife and child. While Elaine grieved over the king's body, Galahad was abducted by the fairy Vivian, a creature living at the bottom of the lake. The queen thought that Lancelot was dead and soon left for the monastery.

Tragic denouement and death of King Arthur

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Relationship

• parents:
  • Ban, King of Benwick
  • Elaine, queen
• teacher:
• suzerain:
• beloved:
• spouse:
  • Elaine, daughter of King Peles (Elena, daughter of Pelléas)
• a son:
• other relatives:
  • Sir Ector (Hector de Maris)- half-brother, bastard son of King Ban
  • Sir Bore the Elder - uncle, brother of King Ban
  • Sir Lionel - cousin, son of Bore the Elder, brother of King Ban
  • Sir Bore the Younger - cousin, son of Bore the Elder, brother of King Ban

Sources of folding the image

Plot handling in literature

Lancelot's plot appears relatively late in the Arthurian cycle. Celtic sources, unaffected by French influence, are completely unaware of him.

In the poetic courtly epic it is developed: "The Knight of the Cart" ( Le chevalier de la charrette) Chrétien de Trois and "Lancelot" by Ulrich von Zatsikhofen (late 12th century). Lancelot also plays a more or less important role in a number of less significant novels, such as "Diu Krône" by Heinrich von dem Thurlin (c.), "Rigomer" and others.

In the thirteenth-century French prose novel, which depicts the decomposition and cyclization of the courtly epic, Lancelot's plot is at the center of the narrative; they adapt to it, the plot cycles of Merlin, the search for the Holy Grail and the death of King Arthur are contaminated with it. This is how a large prosaic novel about Lancelot was created around 1215, which underlies numerous alterations and retellings in almost all European languages ​​- German (Ulrich Fueterer and his successors), Dutch, Italian, English (which also includes the printed Mort d'Arthure by Thomas Malory, 15th century), Spanish, Portuguese. For centuries he determined the theme of the knightly novel.

All historically attested adaptations of Lancelot's plot in their main part can be easily reduced to Chrétien's "Chevalier de la charrette".

Storyline analysis

Thus, the plot of Lancelot in its main part - the glorification of the love of a vassal and a queen that breaks the bonds of church marriage and vows of feudal fidelity - is formalized by Chrétien de Troyes, the founder and greatest master of courtly literature in France, in a novel written at the suggestion of the author himself to promote a new "Courtly" worldview and a new outlook on love.

Lancelot's plot is part of this literature - the expression of the first glimpses of a new individualistic worldview, with its rehabilitation of earthly joy and earthly love, with its sublimation of sexual relations in the form of "serving the lady" (see Courtesy literature). The traditional elements of the plot - if there were any at all - lose their significance compared to the new thematic setting. Perhaps, as some researchers suggest, the story of Lancelot and Guinevere, like the story of Klides and Fenice in another novel by Chrétien, is only a "courtly" reworking of the plot of Tristan and Isolde.

In any case, the individualistic and anti-church sharpening of the plot was perceived quite clearly. This is evidenced by the enormous popularity of the plot in the era of the incipient disintegration of feudalism; this is evidenced by Dante's assessment of the plot of Lancelot, who puts into the mouth of Francesca da Rimini the famous reference to the novel about Lancelot (The Divine Comedy, Inferno, p. V, terzines 43-46).

The moment of protest against the traditional forms of ideology and life in Lancelot's plot did not escape Tennyson either: the poet laureate of the prosperous Victorian bourgeoisie perceives and interprets as purely "shameful" and "sinful", undermining the foundations of society, the episode of love between Lancelot and Guinevere ("Idylls of the King ").

In popular culture

In cinematography

• Knights of the Round Table (; USA) directed by Richard Thorpe as Lancelot Robert Taylor.
• Franco Nero plays Lancelot in the film musical Camelot (1967).
• In the television series Doctor Who, Lancelot appeared as an animated fictional character in the episode The Thief of the Mind (1969).
• Sir Lancelot the Brave is portrayed by John Cleese in the comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
• "Black chicken, or Underground inhabitants" - Aristarkh Livanov
• In the movie "Excalibur" (1981) by John Boorman.
• In the movie "King Arthur" (1985) Rupert Everett.
• In the film "New Adventures of the Yankees at the Court of King Arthur" (1988) Lancelot is played by Alexander Kaidanovsky.
• In the film "To Kill the Dragon" (1988) "Lancelot's maternal descendant" is played by Alexander Abdulov.
• Lancelot is played by Richard Gere in The First Knight (1995). Merlin and other mythical components are absent here.
• The film Knight of Camelot (1998) stars James Coombs.
• In the film "King Arthur" (2004), where Lancelot is played by Ioan Griffith, there are vast differences from the generally accepted legend - Lancelot dies at the hands of enemies, before Guinevere has not even become queen, and in general, the whole key story of their love and her role in death Arthur is completely ignored.
• Michelle (Michael) Vartan plays the role in the film "The Mists of Avalon" (2001) by Uli Edel, based on the novels by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
• Jeremy Sheffield stars in Merlin (English)Russian.
• Noah Wyle plays the role in Guinevere. In this rather feminist interpretation, Guinevere and Lancelot have known each other from early childhood, as both learned the use of weapons and the knowledge necessary for noble knowledge from the Morgana Fairy, a priestess of the Mother Goddess.
• In the film "Lancelot of the Lake" by Robert Bresson.
• In the anime series Fate / Zero (2011), Lancelot is reborn as Berserker's servant.
• In the TV series "Merlin" he is played by Santiago Cabrera.
• In the anime series Code Geass, the Knightmer Suzaku Kururugi is called Lancelot.
• Dan Stevens will portray Lancelot in Night at the Museum.
• In the television series Librarians, Matt Frewer plays the role of Lancelot Dulac.
• In ABC's Once Upon a Time, Lancelot is played by Sinkwa Walls.
• In the musical "