Lancelot

In the show Merlin, Season 1 episode 5 "Lancelot" shows several relations and portrayals of the medieval times. Lancelot is an unknown man wanting to become a knight. He uses his skills and bravery to prove himself to the nobility. He starts off by saving Merlin from the Griffin. Merlin then helps him become a knight by faking his nobility. After they realize what Lancelot did, they threw him in jail. He was released by prince Arthur and set out to defeat the Griffin because he knew that they were going to fight it even though their weapons have no use. Merlin used his magic to help Lancelot destroy the Griffin. Lancelot leaves Camelot because he doesn't want to start off with another lie which was how he killed the Griffin all by himself. 

Strong features in Merlin

Castle in Camelot

Some characteristics of objects and characters are portrayed very well in the episode of "Lancelot". The main one that stood out to a viewer like me was Lancelot specifically. He first was seen in the show saving Merlin. It starts off by showing his bravery and talent and as the episode moves forward, how he works hard to become a knight and shows no fear when it comes to others. The setting also gives a good representation of the time period. Knights riding horses, unknown creatures that need to be fought off, knights and kings, castles different than the buildings we see today are just a few examples of how the medieval setting is shown off. It also shows the part of romance. How the love for someone can be so strong that it overtakes everything. In most of the readings, the knights are set off to protect their people and that is exactly what is done in this show. The knights had to go on a quest to defeat the Griffin. 

Lancelot in two ways

The knights of Camelot

Lancelot's story was told in different but yet the same type of way. He first started off both story as someone who was unknown. He traveled long and hard and finally made it to Camelot. He showed his knighthood and grit throughout everything he does. He didn't even know Merlin but yet he risked his life to save him from the Griffin. He didn't know any of these people but yet he was determined to be a knight and protect them so that what happened to his parents wouldn't happen to the place he was from now. 

In writings, his love for Guinevere is immense. He set off on quest to save her and they went through so much together, including an affair. At first she pushed him off, but that didn't stop Lancelot. They were in a love triangle at one point with King Arthur. But then, in the show, they don't put as much light on their romance. They show how they definitely have a connection and have feelings for each other, but they portray Merlin and Lancelot's friendship almost even more in this episode. I'm sure they show more about them in later episodes but yet it's almost like when they are both mentioned in the reading, they are almost always the main point and story outline because their relationship was intense. 

They also characterized the knights in a great way. They say in the show how they are the best in the land and that is right on. That's how they should be told, as strong, brave, and great leaders to defend the place they love, just like in the stories we read. They followed King Arthur and used everything they had to protect their people. Even when the Griffin came and they could not use their steel weapons to defeat it, they still went out on a quest to destroy it using all they had. This is exactly how they are portrayed in every story I have read.

New thoughts of the medieval times

Lancelot fighting Griffin

By watching the show, it adds a new idea to the way I saw this time period. It gave a sense of modern times to draw me in. It reminded me a lot of Harry Potter and how that series was shown with the character Merlin and his powers and the Griffin having the body of a lion which is the Gryffindor lion in the house of Hogwarts as some examples. The writings always had a good storyline and included scandals and intense scenes that would draw a reader in, but by watching it, it added to the entertainment. The reading had more language from that period that was hard to follow, but by seeing facial reactions and the plot unfold while the characters still talking with that time periods language, it was easier to follow and stay connected. By adding in little moments of mischief like Lancelot not actually being nobility but they faked it, this caused more entertainment to the viewers. I liked the way they showed Lancelot's story through a different take but still showed who he is as a character, how he's brave, loyal, and a great knight.

“Merlin: Lancelot Season 1 Episode 5.” YouTube, YouTube, 20 Oct. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5du8dZ6SYY. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.