For those of you who don't know who she is, Elaine of Astolat (sometimes referred to as 'lily maid' or 'the lady of shallot') was the daughter of Bernard of Astolat. Her father held a jousting tournament where Sir Lancelot was present. She becomes infatuated with the young knight and bestows him with her token. During the tournament he is fatally wounded and Elaine nurses him back to health. As she does this her infatuation grows to love and once Lancelot is healed she works up the courage to confess this love to him. He tells her that he cannot love her for he is in love with Guinevere but he offers Elaine some money to repay her for healing him. She refuses the money and instead brings Lancelot his shield. He leaves never to return and two days afterwards she dies of heartbreak and orders that her body be floated down the river on a barge to Camelot. In her lifeless hands she carries two things, a letter to her beloved Lancelot and a mass penny.I think Elaine's story to be incredibly romantic and very sad too, but then again I cry very easily. In fact, I would go as far as to say Elaine is one of my favourite characters simply because I identify with her mourning for lost love. What about you? Do you think Elaine is a tragic heroine or simply a pathetic child?
My next post will be on Morgan Le Fay and whether she is good or evil.
