Which option best explains tennyson's decision to include lancelot in his poem "lady of shalott"? in the mythical tradition, lancelot is often a catalyst for women who cave to temptation by alluding to him, tennyson implies that the lady will be rejected romantically. it to establish the realistic nature of the text, as lancelot was a historical figure from this era. lancelot represents honor and courage, which are characteristics the lady does not possess.