Bad Character Influences in The Once And Future King Essay

Bad company corrupts good character. The Once and Future King, by T.H. White, tells of an ill made night whose name was Lancelot. Lancelots displeasing appearance required that he do something with his life that did not have a prerequisite for a pretty face, or charming looks; he needed something that took the eyes off of him, and on to the actions he preformed. Knighthood fit that bill very well. Knights were much respected. Legend has it that Lance grew up to be King Arthurs greatest knight. How can that be true? How can an ugly little boy, who constantly doubts his worthiness to receive honor be a great knight? How can an honorable knight impregnate a young lady and at the same time hook up with his best friends wife, not to mention that it is also his kings wife, and continually proclaim that he loves and reveres his king? It is the opinion of some that Lancelot was a flawed character because his good intensions were spoiled by lustful actions.

Lancelots good intention of being the best knight ever was, in his opinion, ruined by the loss of his virginity. Lancelot had saved King Pelles daughter, Elaine from a wretched curse she was under and was then invited to their castle. He was fed, and given board for the evening. He ended up sleeping with Elaine. The following morning he reflected back in time to his dream: When I was little, he said, I prayed to God that he would let me work a miracle. Only virgins can work miracles (376). From when Lancelot was little, his dream was that he would work miracles. He did perform a miracle that day when he saved Elaine. However, when Lancelot put himself into a situation where his ability to follow out his dream was compromised, he fell to his lustful desires and lost the battle.

Lancelot encounters this situation with Elaine and becomes very confused and upset. He almost becomes enraged because of his stupidity. He wants to find answers; he draws his last attempt at saving his honor between himself and Elaine by trying to put the blame on her. He is completely mind boggled that she has betrayed him. After threatening to kill her, he says, You have made me-taken from me- stolen (376). Thats it; Lancelots whole life goal was ruined in a blink of an eye. From the years of extreme training in knighthood, to one of the most revered men on the planet, it was all gone. One could see how his self esteem was so low. His perfect plan for his life was ruined forever by that one lustful desire.

Guilty! Lancelot was guilty of treason to his friend, guilty of treason to the high king of England, and guilty of treason to himself. The major downfall of Lancelot was his immediate attraction to the worst person in the whole world to fall in love with: his best friends wife. Every free moment when Arthur wasnt around, Lancelot and Guenever were doing something they shouldnt have been doing Lancelot proclaims his continual love for Arthur: He (Lancelot) had not buried his love for Arthur in his passion for Guenever (387). How can a honorable knight say that he has a passion for Arthurs wife, while in the same breath saying that his love for Arthur has not been diluted by Guenever? Lancelots love for Guenever made him rethink his life; he needed to get away from Guenever.

Lancelots quest for the Holy Grail was an attempt to get away from Guenever. After returning from not being able to get to the Holy Grail, Lancelot retires from his ambitions of having an affair with Guenever even after she attempted to make herself look more appealing. Lancelot listed four reasons why they should not see each other again, one of which seems most relevant: had it not been for their guilty love, he (Lancelot) might have been allowed to achieve the Grail (474). If Lancelot had stayed pure, this would be a totally different story; however, since Lancelots good intensions of achieving the Grail were corrupted by his lustful affair with Guenever, he was not able to receive the miraculous benefits of the Grail that the others, including his son, Galahad, got.

Lancelot turned away from everything he believed in, so that he could be with Guenever. It is a large assumption to make, but it appears as if affairs happen more and more often these days. What do they end up in? Most of the time, they end up in divorce. For Lancelot, he was able to live happily with Guenever. It is hard to find the meaning of this happiness since Arthur still knew nothing about the affair. Therefore, Lancelot and Guenever, must be together in silence. In the end, Lancelots good intension of being the best knight was accomplished to a certain extent. But, his lust spoiled his joy and left him weeping in his room. All in all, the bad corrupts the good.