One of the most interesting things
about “The Knight of the Cart” is the way it approaches piety and faith. As per
the norm, characters interact with each other in a deeply Christian age, but Chrétien
de Troyes creates a land where faith means different things to different
people. The knights in particular approach faith in a different way.
Lancelot has a shaky manifestation
of his faith in God. He starts off fairly merciful and noble, sparing the life
of the knight at the ford: “‘I have always shown mercy to anyone . . . if he
seeks mercy in the name of God. I do this in God’s name, as is right’”
(Chrétien 181). Mercy is one of the core Christian virtues, so Lancelot seems
pretty solid in his faith. Things soon change when he beheads the knight who
interrupts his meal. That knight also asks for mercy in God’s name, but
Lancelot instead sides with “Generosity” and gives the head to a passing maiden
who asks for it.
The
“dueling virtues” of Generosity and Pity seem pretty strong as Chrétien
portrays them, but that is an argument people (myself included) have been using
for ages to justify doing something wrong. While Lancelot doesn’t abandon his
Christian nature, he certainly diminishes it after losing his mercy.
Rather than focusing on God,
Lancelot spends most of the story fixated on the queen, who, it becomes
evident, is an empowering force. One of the biggest examples is when Lancelot
breaks open a barred window: “‘I believe these bars to be useless. Only you may
prevent me from reaching you. If you grant me permission, [my lady,] my way is
clear’” (Chrétien 226). The instance’s significance comes from its resemblance
to water-walking miracle from the Bible. Jesus walks across the Sea of Galilee
to meet the disciples. Peter responds much like Lancelot does: “And Peter
answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the
water’” (Matt. 14.28). Clearly, faith is a force that empowers humans to
greatness, but in “The Knight of the Cart,” Love is also a force that empowers
greatness. It seems like Lancelot puts his love for the queen before his love
for God, which is a no-no in traditional Christianity.
So, I’ve been wondering, can a lover
in courtly romance truly be dedicated to his faith? What does it mean to be
faithful? Is love greater than faith? I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem like
the infatuation of courtly love and faith coexist fairly well; however,
Chrétien de Troyes would probably disagree.
***
Additional Works Cited
The New King James Bible. Nashville:
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982. Print.
