Roland And Lancelot Heroes In Chivalry

Roland and Lancelot: Heroes in Chivalry Since the dawn of time heroes have come and gone, some won battles and others lost wars but all have been remembered through the generations as lessons, for better or worse, of morality and timeless human themes. No period in history is more synonymous with hero worship as the Medieval ages. Throughout these times some of the most famous tales of knights, kings, and chivalry were penned, none more so than the stories of Roland, a great warrior under King Charlemagne, and Sir Lancelot, a knight of King Arthur's. Willing to suffer for their respective causes, their honor and the honor of their allies were of utmost importance to them. These two men both personified and exemplified the classic facets
In Chretien de Troyes' Lancelot, Gawain and Lancelot set out in quest of Queen Guinevere. Both value honor above all else and are willing to fight for it. When given the suggestion that he should call for aid in battle, Roland replies, "Almighty God forbid that I bring shame upon my family,and causes sweet France to fall into disgrace! I'll strike that horde with my good [sword]". When Lancelot, during his dual with his love's captor, sees Guinevere watching him his devotion to her and his hatred of his opponent "make him so fiery that Meleagant [surrenders]." Their adherence to the code of chivalry and the gravity of honor felt by these two men caused both to do things others would not and thus immortalized them as
Both combatants in the tale of Lancelot are incredibly adept horsemen and swordsmen, so much is their skill and power of fighting, that their collision "seems like a mighty thunder-clap" and both "sustained [eachother's blows] with equal honor." While Roland enters battle "riding his charger, swift-running Veillantif" and so potent of a warrior is he that his enemies, "the pagans flee...trying their best to get away." The glorification of blood-and-thunder heroism in these readings and the presentation of the two aforementioned characters as epitomizations of physical courage and personal loyalty in both cases further cements them as to of the greatest, most chivalrous heroes of all