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Book 4
Explanation and Analysis—Gawaine and Pelleas:
In Volume 1, Book 4, Chapter 22, Pelleas serves as a foil for Gawaine. Gawaine betrays Pelleas by sleeping with his lover, Ettard; whereas Gawaine recently erred by failing to grant mercy to a knight who betrayed him, Pelleas displays merciful restraint:
‘Though this knight be never so false, I will never slay him sleeping, for I will never destroy the high order of knighthood;’ and therewith he departed again.
And or he had ridden half a mile he returned again, and thought then to slay them both, making the greatest sorrow that ever man made. [H]e [...] pulled out his sword naked in his hand, and went to them thereas they lay, and yet he thought it were shame to slay them sleeping, and laid the naked sword overthwart both their throats, and so took his horse and rode his way.
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Book 8
Explanation and Analysis—Tristram and Launcelot:
Tristram and Launcelot are very similar to one another, but they function as foils in that they have opposite relationships to their kings and romantic rivals. In Volume 2, Book 10, Chapter 50, it becomes clear that King Mark is vengeful toward Tristram in a way Arthur has never been toward Launcelot:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So at these jousts came in Sir Tristram. And at that time Sir Launcelot was not there, but when they saw a knight disguised do such deeds of arms, they weened it had been Sir Launcelot. And in especial King Mark said it was Sir Launcelot plainly.
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Book 10
Explanation and Analysis—Tristram and Launcelot:
Tristram and Launcelot are very similar to one another, but they function as foils in that they have opposite relationships to their kings and romantic rivals. In Volume 2, Book 10, Chapter 50, it becomes clear that King Mark is vengeful toward Tristram in a way Arthur has never been toward Launcelot:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So at these jousts came in Sir Tristram. And at that time Sir Launcelot was not there, but when they saw a knight disguised do such deeds of arms, they weened it had been Sir Launcelot. And in especial King Mark said it was Sir Launcelot plainly.
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Book 21
Explanation and Analysis—Launcelot and Galahad:
Throughout most of the book, Galahad and Launcelot are foils. Launcelot tries to be a good Christian knight, but he often fails. For instance, in Volume 2, Book 15, Chapter 4, he misinterprets a situation and accidentally joins a fight alongside knights who have sinned instead of knights who are pure. He also carries on a lifelong affair with Guenever, the wife of the king to whom he is supposed to be faithful. Galahad never makes such mistakes. Launcelot's strength and good heart make him the best knight in the world for a time, until Galahad surpasses him. Galahad's purity and Launcelot's impurity mean that while Galahad is worthy to "achieve" the Sangreal and be carried to heaven by angels, Launcelot is worthy only to see the Sangreal but never touch it.
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