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
The second trial by combat is more sensational than the first. Lancelot arrives at the very last minute, riding one of Sir Meliagrance's white horses. Meliagrance goes down at the first charge and refuses to get up. Lancelot offers him new terms: a fight to the death with Lancelot only wearing armor on the right side of his body and with his left hand tied behind his back. Even half-naked, Lancelot quickly decapitates the other knight.
Lancelot strips off half his armor to ensure it is a fair fight—but this only adds to the trial's sensationalism. Lancelot is still conflicted as he knows he will kill a man whose accusation is true.
Themes
