The famous "favor" scene, where William rides for Jocelyn even after his armor has been sabotaged, is a deconstruction of courtly love. Jocelyn tells him to lose on purpose to prove his love transcends glory. It’s a cruel, illogical test—and William fails it by winning anyway. The resolution (where he explains that he jousts "for her, but also for his father") acknowledges that love doesn't require self-destruction. It requires honesty.