13 quotes
The Essence of Camelot Beyond Physical Structures
King Arthur
This is the heart of Camelot, not these stones, not these timbers, these palaces and towers. Burn them all and Camelot lives on, because it lives in us. Camelot is a belief that we hold in our hearts...Either what we hold to be right and good and true is right and good and true for all mankind, under God, or we’re just another robber tribe.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Complete Commitment to Love
Guinevere
I only know one way to love my lord, and that is body and mind and soul.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Love and Fear
King Arthur
Lancelot, just a thought. A man who fears nothing is a man who loves nothing; and if you love nothing, what joy is there in your life? I may be wrong.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Decline of Glory and Greatness
Malagant
They say this was once the greatest castle ever built. Now grass grows in the halls where kings once feasted, and peasants cart away the mighty walls stone by stone to build shelters for their pigs. Ha! Such is glory.
[on his "palace"]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Desire for fleeting moments of warmth
King Arthur
For the first in my life, I wanted what all wise men say can't last; what can't be promised or made to linger any more than sunlight. I don't want to die without having felt its warmth on my face.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Winning a Sword Fight Simplified
Lancelot
Do you know how to win a sword fight?
John
How?
Lancelot
Be the only one with a sword!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Wisdom, Choice, and Strength in Leadership
King Arthur
May God grant us the wisdom to discover right, the will to choose it, and the strength to make it endure.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embracing the Whole of Humanity
Arthur
God uses people like you, Lancelot. Because your heart is open. You hold nothing back. You give all of yourself.
Lancelot
If you knew me better, you would not say such things.
Arthur
Oh, hey, I take the good with the bad, together. I can't love people in slices.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A King's Final Command to His People
Arthur
I have no pride left in me. What I do, now I do for my people and for Camelot. And may they forgive me. This is my last act as your king. Do not be afraid. All things change. I am Arthur of Camelot, and I command you now... all... TO FIGHT!! Fight like you've never fought before! Never surrender! Never surrender! Fight as you never-
[thrusts sword onto the ground; kneels but suddenly rises with sword; everybody is surprised and Malagant's men draw swords too; gets shot by several crossbow bolts; loses sword]
Guinevere
NO!!!
Arthur
CAMELOT LIVES!!!!
[as the knights get him out of danger; the citizens and knights start attacking Malagant's troops]
Malagant
BURN IT! BURN EVERYTHING!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Challenge of True Sacrifice
Malagant
Self-sacrifice is very easy. It's having to sacrifice someone you love that puts your convictions to the test.
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Palace Encounter and Miscommunication of Orders
Malagant
Welcome to my palace, my lady. I think we can release the lady from her bonds. If she so wishes.
[bows mockingly; draws a dagger]
Malagant
What's this? Your dress is torn. Ralf?
Ralf
Yes, my prince?
Malagant
I gave orders that the lady was not to be harmed.
Ralf
But my prince, I didn't --
[Malagant backhands him, knocking him to the floor]
Malagant
Your dress is quite spoiled, my lady. You're almost... a queen. Ralf?
[inspects Guinevere's dress; rips it off, leaving her in her undergown]
Ralf
My prince?
Malagant
Did you do this?
Ralf
Yes, my prince.
[resignedly; Guinevere looks at him in disbelief]
Malagant
You see? This is what Arthur doesn't understand. Men don't want brotherhood. They want leadership. Shall we?
[claps his hands with a shout, and several men approach; he chuckles]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Knight's Path and Choices
Malagant
May I congratulate the king on his forthcoming marriage. I see my place hasn't been taken yet. To think that I was once first among your knights.
[points to the empty seat; sets his sword down on the table]
Arthur
You left this council of your own free will.
Malagant
We each of us must follow our own road, my lord, and mine had further to go.
Arthur
And where does your road take you, Malagant? To Lyonesse?
Malagant
Lyonesse is my neighbor! I've offered the lady a treaty of friendship. I still await an answer.
[innocently]
Guinevere
You call burning villages an act of friendship?
Malagant
Oh yes, my lady. Since your honored father's death, your land has been more lawless by the day. Were you yourself not attacked on the road here?
Guinevere
You know who attacked me.
Malagant
I made it my business to know. The bandits have been hunted down. Justice has been done.
Guinevere
What justice? You know no law higher than yourself!
[angrily]
Arthur
Armed forces to be given access to all Lyonesse. Troops to assist in the enforcement of law in all Lyonesse." Do you want to sign this?
[reading; to Guinevere]
Guinevere
I'll never sign it.
Arthur
There's your answer. She says no.
Malagant
She's very brave. Now she's to be married. So, is Lyonesse to come under the protection of Camelot?
Arthur
Is Lyonesse in need of protection?
Malagant
Come, Arthur. I'm here to settle this business. We both know Lyonesse is too weak to stand alone. Let's say half each. The lesser gives way to the greater, and what nation could be greater than Camelot, the land of justice and the hope of mankind? Come. Your hand on it. We'll all live together as friends.
[scoffs]
Arthur
You offer me what isn't yours to give.
[hands his treaty back]
Malagant
You all know me. You know I'm a man of my word. Don't make an enemy of me. I mean no harm to Camelot.
[to the rest of the council]
Arthur
You know the law we live by. And where is it written, "Beyond Camelot live lesser people, people too weak to protect themselves; let them die", hmm?
[rises]
Malagant
Other people live by other laws, Arthur. Or is the law of Camelot to rule the entire world?
Arthur
There are laws that enslave men, and laws that set them free. Either what we hold to be right and good and true is right and good and true, for all mankind, under God, or we're just another robber tribe.
Malagant
Your fine words are talking you out of peace and into war.
Arthur
There's a peace that's only to be found on the other side of war. If that battle must come, I will fight it!
Sir Agravaine
And I!
[the other knights echo him]
Malagant
The great Arthur... and his great dream. No dream lasts forever.
[contemptuous]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Promise of Restraint and Honor
Guinevere
If there is any honor in you, promise me never to do that again.
Lancelot
I don't know about honor. But I promise you, I won't kiss you again till you ask me to.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.