Who is the most noble knight of them all? In the middle ages there were requirements to being a knight. Sir Launcelot met all of the requirement and much more. He remains the greatest knight who ever lived in Sir Malory’s “The Tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake ”. For instance, he “never abandons a friend, ally, or noble cause.” His willingness to “protect the innocent” would be another example. His undeniable will to “respect women” is also an example. Sir Launcelot is a knight who is looked up to regardless of his stature or nobility. Sir Launcelot is a man of his word. He would never abandon a person in need. An example would be when he saves his fellow members of the Round Table from the evil and powerful Sir Tarquine. When Launcelot hears that Tarquine is holding them “prisoner” (124) he confronts him. After a heated battle he beheads his foe and leaves Sir Gaheris to free the other knights. He did not literally unlock their cages and let them go freely. It was his battle and victory itself that freed the knights. If it was not for Launcelot’s brute force, skills, and killing of Tarquine the knights may have never been freed. Another example would be when Launcelot gets captured by the four queens and forced to be a prisoner. He then freed a young noblewoman who sets him free only asking one request in exchange. The request was for him to “champion” (121) her father in next Tuesday’s tournament. Launcelot then agrees to do what she requested him to do. Later we learn that he champion her father. What did he really need to do? He was able to do as he pleased but instead held to his promise. We know that he did it out of the kindness of his heart and he could have lied to woman but he instead kept his promise to her. Repeatedly the weak and innocent are overlooked or taken as victims. Sir Launcelot was not one of those people who did this. He was a man of honor and protected those who could not protect themselves. Women illustrated in this story are in this situation and Launcelot saves a select few. One incident is when he is seeking adventure and comes upon a woman who claims to be molested daily by a knight who hides in the woods. When he hears this he watches for her and when she calls for help he rushes to her side and “splits” (126) open the knight’s head and saves the woman. She was innocent and weak and Launcelot saved her like a righteous knight would do. It is noticeable that Sir Launcelot respects women. In fact that he would be willing to risk his own life. One incident we see is when he is abducted by the four queens. They try to force him to marry one of them. Launcelot sees choosing one individual would be disrespecting the He also saves “three score” (128) ladies by slaying two giants holding them captive freeing the innocent and putting them out of ways harm. others, but would disunite his love for Queen Gwynevere by choosing neither of them and swears to that by his own life. His respect for women was strong and he would rather die than to hurt them. Another performance of respect for women is while he is traveling he comes upon a man and a woman disputing about love. Launcelot assists in the situation and the husband agrees to abide by Launcelot’s orders and joins him on his ride. However, he is quickly deceived and the traitor “beheaded” (135) his wife. As Launcelot begins to assassinate him the man asks for sympathy and as a result Launcelot sends him to Queen Gwynevere to receive punishment. It did not only take self-control to not slaughter the man. He respected Queen Gwynevere enough to allow her to make an appropriate decision.
It is evident this knight, Sir Launcelot, was no ordinary man. He is one of extraordinary strength, honor, and courage. His characteristics demonstrate the most chivalrous man who ever lived. His dedication to his friends, ability to protect, and his respect for women is incomparable. Sir Launcelot’s performances and presentation of character exceed the story itself. This is what makes him the most ultimate knight to ever live.