How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
‘Sir and my liege,’ he cried, ‘the fire of God
Descends upon thee in the battle-field.
I know thee for my King!’ Whereat the two,
For each had warded other in the fight,
Sware on the field of death a deathless love.
(“Coming,” 126-130)
Despite all of the male-female love in the Idylls, the first mention of love pops up here, as Arthur and Lancelot pledge their devotion to one another. Arthur has just told our girl Gwen that the service Lancelot has given him in battle proves that he respects his authority. (Sure, whatever you say, dude.) Lancelot confirms his acknowledgment of Arthur as king, at which point they pledge their “deathless love.” Just like the other relationships in the poem, though, this love is tainted by the hint of betrayal. Tennyson’s audience would have come to the poem knowing the story of Lancelot and Guinevere’s affair, so they would know that Lancelot would betray Arthur.
Quote #2
And Uther cast upon her eyes of love;
But she, a stainless wife of Gorloïs,
So loathed the bright dishonor of his love
That Gorloïs and King Uther went to war.
(“Coming,” 192-195)
The “eyes of love” Uther casts upon Bellicent are actually more like “eyes of lust.” The dishonor of this love is “bright” to her because it exposes her to the world, like a spotlight. Once the king has decided he’s in love with her, she can’t hide from his gaze. That Arthur’s story should begin with adultery is fitting, since it also ends that way, with the adultery of Lancelot and Guinevere.
Quote #3
[…] The two
Sware at the shrine of Christ a deathless love.
And Arthur said, ‘Behold, thy doom is mine.
Let chance what will, I love thee to the death!’
To whom the Queen replied with drooping eyes,
‘King and my lord, I love thee to the death!’
(“Coming,” 464-469)
The language of “deathless love” reminds us of the love pledged between Lancelot and Arthur earlier on the “field of death,” rather than the “shrine of Christ.” The love between two men is sealed with battle, whereas the love between a man and a woman is sealed by God. Arthur’s reference to sharing in Guinevere’s “doom” foreshadows the terrible events that will occur because of her adultery.