code_geass ◾ ◾ Arthurian Knights in CG

We all know that the Arthurian legends are heavily influenced in Code Geass. The roles revolving around King Arthur and his knights are almost (but not quite) similar to roles of the characters in Code Geass. The Knights of the Rounds, most especially, have caught my interest, and I've done a little studying about Arthur's knights.

KNIGHT OF THREE: Gino Weinberg

First, let me begin with the Knight of Three, Gino Weinberg. He's a seventeen year old guy born from nobility. Despite his young age, he is the Knight of Three and has superb piloting skills. His Knightmare Frame is Tristan. I've noticed something about Gino when he's fighting. He enjoys it, which is rather obvious in his face, and there's something odd about him. He is always cheerful and energetic--and that worries me. At first, I didn't give a damn about him, but seeing him battle made me think otherwise. Sometimes, the cheerful characters are the most dangerous to me. Upon seeing his rather angst face in the second opening of R2, my suspicion of him got even bigger. Don't get me wrong. Gino is a nice character and I like him a lot, but there's more to him than that friendly smile of his.

Okay, Gino pilots the Knightmare Frame Tristan. In the Arthurian legends, Sir Tristan was a noble knight with great kills in hunting, jousting, dancing, and harp playing. He is quite remembered for his relationship with Isolde. His name actually means sorrow, and this was the name given to him because his mother died giving birth to him. In some books I've read, Tristan is known as the Death Knight. Hence, we see the reason why the KMF Tristan is wielding a scythe as a weapon. His uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, sent Tristan to Ireland to escort the beautiful Isolde back to Cornwall to marry King Mark. On the voyage back to England, Tristan and Isolde drank a love potion mistakingly believingt hat it was wine. This potion, which had been meant to enhance the marriage of Mark and Isolde, instead bound Tristran and Isolde inextricably and tragically in love.

I don't know but I have a feeling that Gino is a rather tragic character. I could be wrong by this assumption, but I'm just stating my own opinion. His expression in the OP suggests that he will play a dark role later on.

KNIGHT OF SIX: Anya Alstreim

Pink-haired Anya is the youngest member of the Knight of Rounds. According to the novel, she became a Knight of Rounds at the age of 14 (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Seeking to be remembered, she regularly uses her camera phone to update her blog. She has rather an introverted personality. However, her piloting skills are top-notch and she pilots the heavy assault Knightmare Frame, Mordred. In the anime, I always see little girls carrying big guns >_<. She seems to know Lelouch as a young boy and she is somehow connected to C.C. as shown in one of the episodes.

Mordred is known as the traitor among the Knights of the Round Table. His brothers or half-brothers are Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth. Mordred is the son of Arthur and his sister or half-sister, depending upon the version of the legend one reads. The sister's identity is probably Morgause or Morgan le Fay, and there are countless references to her incestuous encounter with Arthur. The portrayals, if kind to Arthur, often place the 'blame' upon her - sometimes a result of her 'abilities of enchantment', and sometimes resulting from her deception regarding her relationship with Arthur.

Something which Mordred certainly represents above ALL other considerations is egotism. By whatever means, he rose to the status of knighthood, and for this he must be commended. Any bitterness his mother had concerning her relationship with Arthur might have been bred into Mordred as well, and his enthusiasm, considering his denied lineage and any actions taken to prevent its fruition, is understandable. And this, egotism, is what Malory condemns as 'evil', not a caricature of a good king's rival, but the robust challenge of an enthusiastic, if ill-fated young man. There are times when, although Mordred's acts fall squarely within what may be called modern 'justice', Malory describes his actions as 'plots' and 'wickedness'.

Anya is nothing like Mordred, but it won't surprise me if she suddenly switches side. I have this crazy idea in my head that she'll side with C.C. and Lelouch later on. Well, that's just me.

KNIGHT OF SEVEN: Suzaku Kururugi

Suzaku is granted a position in the Knight of Rounds by the Emperor for his capture of Zero. His current title and rank is Knight of Seven. Suzaku desires to become the Knight of One, a status that will allow him to rule Area 11 by his choosing. As we all know, he pilots the Lancelot.

Lancelot is both the greatest and the worst of the knights at the court of of King Arthur. Lancelot is the son of King Ban of Benwick,and he is known as Lancelot of the Lake or Lancelot du Lac as he was raised by the Lady of the Lake. He does all sorts of good deeds, including rescuing Queen Guinevere from Meleagant, an unsuccessful quest for the Holy Grail and the rescue of the queen after she is condemned to be burned to death for adultery with, ironically, Lancelot. Lancelot as the knight who is most skilled in arms, chivalry and all the other qualities that make a knight a knight. He becomes the king's champion, fighting challenges and undertaking quests in the king's name. Eventually he becomes the adulterous lover of Queen Guinevere, a relationship that causes Arthur's Camelot to finally come to an end.

Okay, Suzaku is like Lancelot in so many ways. Right now, I'm close to the point of hating Suzaku for what he's doing right now in the series, though I still like him. Now that sounds weird. Anyway, since Suzaku represents Lancelot, I'm guessing that Euphemia is like Guinevere here. Hehe... But he is the most loyal to the empire, and like Lancelot he is chivalrous and skilled in arms.

KNIGHT OF ONE: Bismarck Waldstein

I think his name was derived from Otto von Bismarck, who was an influential German politician of the 19th century. Since he is the Knight of One, he is also the strongest among the knights. Despite his status and abilities, he does not believe that war should be used as a means of subduing unrest. I can't really go that deep into his character yet since he's rarely on screen. I do want to learn more of his character. But I believe he's an intimidating figure. He pilots the Knightmare Frame, Galahad, which is the wielder of the Excalibur.

Galahad is the son of Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic. Contrast to his father, Galahad is shown to be pure in mind, body, spirit, and intention. Galahad is handsome and brave, but resists the lure of the many women that tempt him, and remains a virgin all his life, while awaiting his destiny with the Grail. He is one of the achievers of the grail. In other words, he is known as the Knight of purity.

The Knight of One might not be a terrible person if he's anything like Galahad. All I could say is that he is still a big threat.

KNIGHT OF TEN: Luciano Brandli

He is a laid-back man who often does as he pleases, but is still fiercely loyal to the Empire. He is known as the "Vampire of Britannia" and pilots the Knightmare Frame Percival. Another interesting knight for me. I do wonder why he's calle the Vampire. Let's see...Suzaku is known as the White Reaper and he's the vampire. Somehow, they are being portrayed as monsters.

Now we come to Sir Percival. As the original Grail Knight, he is most famous for his involvement in the quest for the Holy Grail. Percival was often portrayed as a simple young man with uncouth innocence. As a knight, Percival has great strength and natural skills in jousting and swordsmanship. His ignorance stemmed from the fact that his mother had kept him ignorant about his father and brothers, who were knights. His mother didn't want to lose her son too, so she avoid mentioning life of the nobles and knights. Percival wanted to become a knight and left home after seeing a few knights passing the forest which he and his mother lived.

Percival was one of Knights of the Round Table. As a knight, he was usually known as the Red Knight, because he won his horse, armour and weapon by killing the Red Knight of Quinqueroy. So, it's no wonder Luciano is wearing red. He's normally called Percival the fool.

I'm thinking that Luciano may tend to act like a fool since he's so laid-back, but he's not someone to be underestimated. His title as a vampire is kinda creepy enough.