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Book 4, Chapter 5
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Once and Future King, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Chivalry, Satire & Medieval Life
Fate (Time)
Quest and The Holy Grail
Might vs. Right
War
Summary
Analysis
A few weeks later, Lancelot is pacing up and down his room, waiting for the Queen's summons; he knows that Arthur is away hunting and so the two can spend the night together. Suddenly, Gareth asks to enter. He has come to warn Lancelot not to go to the Queen's room that night. He explains that Agravaine and Mordred hate Lancelot and that they are going to do something to trap him. Lancelot dismisses Gareth, saying he knows the King would never do anything to trap him.
Lancelot is arrogant in the face of Gareth's warnings. His relationship with Guenever has obscured his awareness of threats at court. Indeed, Lancelot barely registered Arthur's veiled warnings to him a few weeks previously.
Themes
With this, there is a faint scratching on Lancelot's door. Gareth begs him once more not to answer but Lancelot barely acknowledges him. He grabs his cloak and steps out into the darkness of the passage. He has forgotten his sword.
White's emphasis on the fact that Lancelot forgot his sword is both foreboding and suggests what is to follow.
Themes
