verily
"Verily" means a matter of truth. In this line, Guenevere is asserting her honestly to Sir Gauwaine, yet he still continues to doubt his queen's statement. Afterword, Guenevere's tone has then shifted from firm and confident to resigned.
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All good knights held it after, saw: Yea, sirs, by cursed unknightly outrage; though You, Gauwaine, held his word without a flaw, This Mellyagraunce saw blood upon my bed: Whose blood then pray you? is there any law To make a queen say why some spots of red
This refers to the mannerisms and politeness that men in the Victorian era must uphold towards women. Victorian men must be pleasant and pleased women; however, at this scene, Morris uses Sir Guawaine and Mellyagraunce as a contrast to that ideal. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/427127
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So, ever must I dress me to the fight,
In this line, the imagery suggest that Guenevere is aware of beauty and deliberately employs it to seduce and influence the knights that are present in the room, treating it as a strategic advantage. This action goes against the ideals of Victorian standards of beauty and virtue.
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Men are forgetting as I speak to you; By her head sever’d in that awful drouth Of pity that drew Agravaine’s fell blow,
Guenevere's accusation suggest that Sir Gauwaine cannot claim moral superiority, as his own family history is fraught with similar transgression. This highlights the recurring theme of hypocrisy and flawed virtue among Arthurian knights. Furthermore, Guenevere is referring to the affair of Sir Gauwaine's mother, Morgause. She was killed by her son, Gaheris, when he discovered her relationship with Sir Lamorak. https://kingarthursknights.com/arthurian-characters/morgause/
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Though still she stood right up, and never shrunk, But spoke on bravely, glorious lady fair!
As Antony H. Harrison discusses in "Arthurian Poetry and Medievalism," the narrator views Guenevere as both the hero and victim. At these lines, Guenevere's monologue illustrates her bravely against the accusation from Sir Gauwaine as her only support at the moment is herself.
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God wot I ought to say, I have done ill, And pray you all forgiveness heartily! Because you must be right, such great lords; still
In Carole G. Silver's article, "' The Defence of Guenevere': A Further Interpretation, she discusses how at these specific lines, Guenevere is "sarcastically flattering her audience" (698). However, Guenevere may also be indicating to the lords that she has sinned and is asking for forgiveness for the crime she committed. https://www.jstor.org/stable/450041
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BUT, knowing now that they would have her speak,
(https://youtu.be/91t7U1SjCTU)
In this YouTube video, “The Defence of Guenevere” is read by a female narrator whose soft, but firm tone highlights Guenevere’s resilience during her defense, making Guenevere appear more assertive. The narrator’s voice demonstrates Guenevere’s emotional state more vividly and convincingly, allowing listeners to better empathize with her defense against Sir. Gauwaine and other knights.
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crimson
As Josephine K. Tarvers discusses in her article, "'The Deep Still Land of Colours': Color Imagery in 'The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems'", Morris uses color imagery to symbolize meaning. The color red illustrates love and lovers, which is used in this line when Launcelot arrives to Guenevere's rescue. Morris, influenced by the traditional color scheme of the Middle Ages, uses colors such as red, green, white, and blue in his works to evoke an emotional response from his readers. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4174266
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