Camelot

I spent half of the afternoon crying through "Camelot" today. Now I remember why I haven't watched that movie in years....

It's so frustrating to watch. When I was younger, I would get so angry at Guinevere, Lancelot, and Mordred but as I've grown older, I realize the fault lies not with just them, but with the sins of many...

Arthur sleeping with Mordred's mother which results in his birth. (more below)

Guinevere and Lancelot's sin of adultery.

Mordred's hatred which leads to the final catastrophe.

The sin of revenge desired by the knights.

Now I can feel more pity for Guinevere and Lance, though I find it so ironical that it is Lancelot's purity and goodness that enables his prayer to be able to raise his fellow knight from death and that this is the moment that Guinevere falls in love with him. She falls in love with his goodness and this love ultimately leads to the fall of his purity.

I cried through the scene where Arthur realizes that they are in love with each other, and his first impulse is anger and revenge but his love for both of them prevails and his desire for goodness allows him to feel pity and mercy knowing that they desire not this pain nor his pain..

I still have a difficult time feeling any pity for Mordred. The movie doesn't tell much of his past, but if my memory serves me correctly, more of that is explained in the book, "The Once and Future King" which I read my senior year in high school (35 years ago). I think the book also gives more detail as to the circumstances surrounding Arthur sleeping with Mordred's mother. If my memory serves me correctly, Mordred's mother drugged Arthur at that time.

All reminders of the wide-reaching effect of his sin.

I am always touched by Arthur's continuing to love Guinevere and Lancelot despite the heartache they bring him. It reminds me of how our dear Lord continues to love us despite our sins; despite our rejection of Him; of how we are all called to continue loving even those who hurt us the most.

I hope all of you have had a blessed, peaceful weekend.