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
When Arthur and Lancelot arrive in England, Lancelot quickly realizes Guenever would come between them: he sees her kiss Arthur and feels his entrails in knots. The next day, he asks Arthur if he might have leave from court, to quest and to use his Might for Right. In truth, Lancelot knows he needs to be away from Guenever, but Arthur grants him leave all the same.
White shows that it is inevitable that Lancelot and Guenever will betray Arthur—it is only time until they do. Thus the origin of Lancelot's questing is not purity, but rather to avoid an unavoidable betrayal. His questing—like all quests, the novel suggests—is futile.
Themes
