"'Sir Bors, have you heard how Sir Launcelot has betrayed me?' She demanded.
'Madam, I fear that he has betrayed his own life.'
'Sir, he surely deserves to die for his treachery.'
'Madam, I pray you do not abuse him.'
'And why not? Did he or did he not wear the maid's token at the tournament?' asked the queen furiously.
'Madam, I am sorry to say that he did wear the maid's sleeve, but I do not doubt his loyalty, for I believe that he did so only in order not to be recognized. All his life he has loved no other lady than you.'
'Shame on him , I say! And for all his pride he proved a lesser knight than you are.'"
Shoe's on the other foot, innit, m'lady. The hypocrisy of Guinevere in this passage is what stood out to me. I'm also a big fan of her cursing Launcelot for his 'pride' while also insulting Sir Bors in the same sentence. Hell hath no fury and what have you. This passage is equally interesting because of how closely it pertains to the rules of courtly love. Considering the time period and intended audience of these stories, the heavy allusions to the rules of courtly love makes sense. In fact, Queen Guinevere does a complete 180 at the end of the passage, quickly forgiving Launcelot because as we all know the rules of courtly love encourage jealousy, as it serves to make true love stronger.
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