C'est Moi

In the song "C'est Moi" from the musical Camelot, the character Lancelot proudly extols his virtues and capabilities as a knight of the Round Table. The lyrics are a bold declaration of his unparalleled strength, bravery, and moral purity. Lancelot's confidence is evident as he describes his ability to perform extraordinary feats, such as climbing walls, slaying dragons, and swimming moats in heavy armor. His self-assuredness is not just in his physical prowess but also in his unwavering moral compass and purity of heart. He believes himself to be the epitome of knightly perfection, a man who embodies the highest ideals of chivalry and virtue.

Lancelot's boastful tone is both humorous and revealing. His repeated use of the phrase "C'est moi" ("It's me" in French) underscores his self-importance and the almost comical level of his self-assuredness. He likens himself to a "French Prometheus unbound," suggesting that he is a bringer of light and knowledge, unrestrained by ordinary limitations. This grandiose self-image is further emphasized by his claim that he is so virtuous that had he been in the Garden of Eden, humanity would still reside there in bliss. His declarations are a mix of genuine belief in his abilities and a humorous exaggeration of his own importance.

The song also touches on the cultural and historical ideals of knighthood. Lancelot's description of a knight's soul as "remarkable" and his heart and mind as "pure as morning dew" reflects the medieval chivalric code, which emphasized virtues such as bravery, honor, and purity. His assertion that a knight should be "unsparkable" to love and desire highlights the expectation of knights to remain chaste and focused on their duties. Lancelot's character, as portrayed in this song, is a larger-than-life figure who embodies these ideals to an almost absurd degree, making him both admirable and slightly ridiculous.