The love of Guinevere and Lancelot was a love destined to cause pain. Not only was it a pain for them but for all those involved in their lies. Guinevere and Lancelot lived in open sin. They loved each other knowing it was wrong. The young and fair Elaine loved Lancelot so much that the lack of his love caused her her life. The court and the Knights of the Round Table kept Lancelot's secret because Sir Lancelot was such a noble man and many of them owed him their lives but their secrecy was treason to the king. King Arthur ignored the affair as well but eventually it would be his down fall. Some see their love as a situation escalated to torment by moral duties that could not be broken while others just see it reckless behavior in a time not ready for such open mischief. Which ever way you see it, their love was doomed from the beginning.