Lancelot and Galahad
Up until the Quest of the Holy Grail, the chief grail knight had always been Perceval of Chrétien’s Perceval, and the best knight in the world had been Lancelot from the third addition of the Vulgate Cycle. Now, however, a new knight takes the stage and is the only one who can complete the grail quest and claim the title of the most worthy and pure knight. The Quest of the Holy Grail adds to the grail tradition by introducing Sir Galahad, son of Sir Lancelot and Princess Elaine of Corbenic. He is the grail knight and as he is not only Lancelot’s son, but also the usurper of Lancelot’s reputation, he is constantly compared to his father.
In looks, there is no mistaking that Galahad is the son of Lancelot. In Miles’ The Child of the Holy Grail when the truth comes out it is said that no one even had to ask if he was Lancelot’s son (92). In the Quest of the Holy Grail it says, “ he is amazingly young and looks so like Lancelot … all [are] saying he must stem from that root” (39). And not only are they similar in looks, but in their prowess as knights. Traditionally Lancelot is the best knight. He is never defeated and all respect him. The same can be said of Galahad, despite his age. And yet there is one difference that elevates Galahad far above Lancelot and all other knights--Galahad is the only knight who can complete the grail quest. |
The grail quest is for those pure of heart and strong in faith and Lancelot is famous in traditional stories for not only being an amazing knight, but also for his affair with Guinevere. This is his flaw. He repeatedly states that a woman’s love is so much better than any sort of grail that could be found (Miles 140). Because of this affair and this belief, Lancelot had never had a chance of gaining the grail, though he quests nevertheless. In The Child of the Holy Grail he does not even believe in God, but in the Mother, which hinders him in his quest. In the Quest of the Holy Grail Lancelot believes in God, but he lusts after the Grail (as well as Guenevere) and has shallow roots in his Christian faith (260). Lancelot never had a single chance of gaining the grail, which separates him from his son. Galahad is a pure and peerless knight (Matarasso 39). He is raised to believe in God with absolute, unwavering faith (Mallory 156). Galahad never once questions his faith in God. Even when offered to be with a woman Galahad refuses saying that he must stay pure. Galahad prays constantly and his faith is rewarded when completes his quest and obtains the grail (Matarasso 245-276). His purity and faith are what separate him from Lancelot and allow him to be the only knight to complete the quest for the Holy Grail. Only allowing Galahad to accomplish his goal because of his purity and faith is a new addition that the Quest of the Holy Grail adds to the grail tradition.
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