Virtues Present in Lancelot

Biblical Virtue of Faith

• "I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - or rather that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." Romans 1: 12-13.
• Concept of encouragement by faith in Lancelot: Damsels and knights always part "commending each other to God".
• "For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written 'The one who is righteous will live by faith." Romans 1: 16-18.
• "For we uphold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law." Romans 3: 28-29.
• The concept of justification by faith is exemplified by Lancelot himself:
  • "Yes, indeed, if it be God's will; and I shall do all within my power."
  • "He will not break his word, I know," says Meleagant.
  • "So he jumps in, since love will have it so, feeling no concern about the shame, since he is prompted by love's commands…for it would be dishonorable to exchange a horse for a cart…"

Aristotelian Virtues

• "We must conclude that virtue aims at the median. I am referring to moral virtue: for it is moral virtue that is concerned with emotions and actions, and it is in emotions and actions that excess, deficiency, and the median are found." Aristotle
• The character of Lancelot embodies the median of several virtues, while his antagonists embody the excesses and the deficiencies:
  • Modesty
  • Honor
  • Obedience
  • Love