Guinevere’s Jealousy: Wrongful or Warrented?
by Samantha Costa
After reading a few of the stories in Malory’s text, readers easily begin to recognize a pattern: Lancelot does something that he believes is noble or acceptable, Guinevere is launched into a fit of jealously and rebukes him, and then the two make up and continue loving one another. When we read about Guinevere’s outbursts against Lancelot, I think that many of us in class are inclined to see them as ridiculous and over the top–– especially since they almost always end with her backing down.
However, I am willing to speak out in Guinevere’s defense–– particularly in the case of her outburst in the “Fair Maid of Astolat.”
Firstly, Lancelot disrespected Guinevere’s judgement when he went to fight against the knights of his own court regardless of her warning against it. Then, in doing so, he has the audacity to take the token of another lady–– something that he was never meant to do out of loyalty to Guinevere herself.
The main issue in their relationship does not lie in so much in Guinevere’s jealousy as it does in Lancelot repeatedly prioritizing his image over her.
One of the very reasons why Guinevere feels so loved by Lancelot is because he is willing to do anything for her. In “Knight of the Cart,” risking his image by getting into the cart was a clear sign that he was willing to prioritize her even over his own reputation. But when Lancelot continues to struggle between upholding his reputation and upholding his love, it makes sense how Guinevere could feel like she should take priority in these situations.
So, while this juggling act of reputation and love is difficult for Lancelot, I think we all have to acknowledge that it’s pretty difficult on Guinevere too. Sure, maybe she can jump to conclusions or be a bit over the top sometimes. However, Guinevere expects more loyalty to their relationship from Lancelot because it’s the very foundation that their love is built upon. After all, she already has to accept that Arthur sees her as an extension of his reputation rather than a true partner. I think her outbursts are less a result of rage and more of a reflection of the fear of her and Lancelot’s love being degraded.
“Sir,” said the queen, “ye might have showed her some bounty and gentleness which might have preserved her life”
(Malory 154)
I think that this last line that Guinevere speaks in “The Fair Maid of Astolat” is more than the hypocritical backtracking than we might want to pin it as. I think that she might be showing of a bit of solidarity with Elaine. Despite being in a mutual love with Lancelot, and at many times being mistaken about being betrayed by him, Guinevere has still often really felt betrayed by him in their love. Even though Guinevere is in the more dominant position in their relationship, she loves him just as much as he loves her, which ultimately makes her vulnerable.
On some level, I think that she relates to–– or at the very least, fears–– the pain that Elaine might have felt as Lancelot turned his back on her love. And I think she knows that, if she had been right about Lancelot falling in love with other ladies, she would fall into that same kind of despair too.
Put into that perspective, it’s a lot easier to understand why her outbursts of jealousy may be a little more reasonable than they are initially presented.
Guinevere and Lancelot Image: https://www.worldhistory.org/Guinevere/
Elaine of Astolat Image: https://d.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/theme/elaine-of-astalot
