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Chivalry is alive essay
Chivalry is alive essay
Chivalry is alive essay
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Chivalry came to exist in the Middle Ages around the 12th century. Although the code of chivalry had nothing to do with women until the 15th century and they are mentioned in some versions so that soldiers in war time did not kill women, despite being thought of as a “source of evil”. But as of today, chivalry is still helping to fix the chaotic state of today’s society, just as it was 500 years ago. Chivalry is usually known as a moral system or an honor code, but for some people is only known as dead. Chivalry is the most significant concept throughout history and has evolved throughout time, and changed the way people live life. However, most peoples goal in life is to build a life you don’t need a vacation from, because the “Unhappiest people in this world are those who care the most about what other people think”. This is because people will do anything to strengthen their reputation! Other than that, if people adopt chivalry then it will cause them to be more responsible and reliable. Considering that, morals are …show more content…
An example of how chivalry can help with the worlds ideal problems in today’s society is something simple that can make a big impact, like holding the door open or pulling a seat out when going out for dinner. Also, it is important to note that chivalry is respect for all people, not just women, you can have chivalry no matter what religion or gender you are. Each of these positions make an important contribution to the understanding that chivalry encourages equality for all people. Although the motto of chivalry is also the motto of wisdom: “To serve all, but to love only one”, keep in mind that you should never change yourself to impress someone, because they should be impressed that you don’t change to please
The code of Chivalry can be described as a brave, loyal, courteous, distinguished courage or ability that is admired for their brave and noble qualities. Chivalry is a system of ethical ideals that arose from feudalism and had its highest development in the 12th and 13th centenry.(Columbia ElectronicEncyclopedia).Respect is an essential part of chivalry. The code of chivalry is a set of rules followed by the knights during the middle ages. The evolution of heroic and chivalry code has changed over time beginning from the Middle ages to now. The three stories Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Lanval and Beowulf illustrate what it takes to be considered a chivalrous knight.
This code of chivalry all came from King Arthur. It all began with Arthur’s father, Uther. Uther gets a sword from the Lady of the Lake and this sword is named Excalibur. Later on in the battle among England, Merlin (the magician) grants Uther his wish in return for whatever he asked for. As for this wish, Uther slept with Egrain’s wife as he asked and impregnated her with his soon to be son, Arthur. When Arthur was born Merlin came for what he was promised, and took Arthur away with him, raising him. What Merlin did know was that Uther’s son was soon to be the new King of England. This soon to be king, Arthur, must become a knight and granted the right to be king. However; there are three examples of chivalry from the two texts, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Morte d’Arthur" are courage, honor and to protect the queen and all women.
T.H. White's novel The Once and Future King presents a code of chivalry that outlines the expected knightly behavior of the time. This particular code stresses loyalty to one's liege, love and respect toward women, and absolute devotion to justice. At the height of Arthur's kingdom, this code was widely accepted by all. However, as Arthur's kingdom begins to decline, the code of chivalry begins to hold less importance among the people. The fall of Arthur's kingdom is directly related to the absence of the code of chivalry in the behavior of the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Lancelot betrays Arthur when he has an adulteress affair with Guenever. Sir Lancelot also disrespects women when he leaves Elaine to be with Guenever in Camelot. King Arthur himself is disloyal to justice when he allows Guenever to be rescued by Lancelot.
Romantic gestures have been seen as a useful motive to win hearts of women for centuries. However, as society constantly changes, the effectiveness of these chivalrous acts has diminished. In James Joyce’s “Araby” and John Updike’s “A&P”, this theory is explored, both telling the story of a boy whose efforts to impress the girl of their desires fail. As said by Well’s in his critical analysis of these stories, “Both the protagonists have come to realize that romantic gestures—in fact, that the whole chivalric view [sic] --- are, in modern times, counterproductive”. These stories, despite the differences between the two characters, clearly show that the character’s world is changing, with chivalry becoming more obsolete.
Today chivalry is mostly referred to in regards to how a man treats a woman. Many of this generation believe chivalry to be a synonym for courtesy. This is because the true definition has been lost over time as it was first used in the medieval times. Chivalry is the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. So not only does it include courtesy, as we understand it today, but includes other honorable qualities. As chivalry is in reference to an ideal knight, it makes sense that we can identify this quality throughout The Green Knight and Morte D’Arthur. These texts are set in medieval times during the rule of King Arthur. Throughout The Green Knight and Morte D’Arthur chivalry is demonstrated, depicting what it
When Maurice Keen set out to write a book on the components and development of chivalry, he did not know it would be “the last word on a seductive subject,” as stated by one Washington Post reviewer. Instead, Keen was merely satisfying a curiosity that derived from a childhood fascination of stories filled with “knights in shining armour.” This juvenile captivation was then transformed into a serious scholarly interest by Keen’s teachers, the product of which is a work based upon literary, artifactual, and academic evidence. Keen’s Chivalry strives to prove that chivalry existed not as a fantastical distraction, as erroneously portrayed by romances, but instead as an integral and functional feature of medieval politics, religion, and society. The thirteen chapters use an exposition format to quietly champion Keen’s opinion of chivalry as being an element of an essentially secular code of “honour” derived from military practices.
Throughout our readings so far this year, there have been different codes that are often held higher to a society than the laws of a particular land. Laws are defined as “A system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties” (Dictionary.com). Laws are basically written rules that the people are forced to follow because of fear. The fear is some sort of punishment, these codes serve as a rule book for how people should live their lives in a particular society. Two such codes we have read about this year are comitatus as demonstrated in Beowulf
Chivalry began in the 12th century in the form of a knightly code of conduct,
Closely associated to the romance tradition are two idealized standards of behavior, especially for knights: courage and chivalry. The protagonist within many medieval romances proved their worth by going on quests, as many a knights went in those times, thus returning with great tales of their travels and deeds. Many modern people think of chivalry as referring to a man's gallant treatment of women, and although that sense is derived from the medieval chivalric ideal, chivalry could be seen as more than that. Knights were expected to be brave, loyal, and honorable-sent to protect the weak, be noble to...
In the tale, The Knight’s Tale, Chaucer made sure not to deviate away from what he saw during his time because some qualities emerged as prominent figures. The Knight’s Tale made sure to exemplify the idea of courtly love and what it truly means to be a knight who follows the code of chivalry. Some of the qualities of being chivalrous is being generous, honest, courageous, and supporting the notion of justice, which the readers can see that Chaucer understood the significance of the noble behavior and how that affected people at that time. Furthermore, the article, “The Canterbury Tales for Poetry of Students” highlighted how the noble life of the chivalry was a momentous part of the tale since the tale was “a comment on the possibilities
In today’s society the differences in morals between the rich and the poorer classes are virtually non-existent, but during Medieval times “morals and, above all, the virtues at its center, played an important role not only for distinguishing between good and bad, but, more importantly, even for the structuring of society” (Virtus 1). The aristocracy class and the immoral poor class had morals but how they demonstrated them varied; the aristocratic class used chivalry as the basis of their morals, while the immoral poor class did not. Chivalry was not only a code of conduct for those who followed it; chivalry was a way of life. ‘Chivalry first arose in Europe during the Crusades.
The definition of chivalry has changed immensely over the years. Even the simple gestures such as opening doors for someone are becoming a thing of the past, mostly for the fact that women are doing more on their own, not wanting a man to do it for them. Gerry Ellen says, “some women absolutely do not want a man to cater her needs, as it is a sign of weakness in women.” Modern chivalry is the balance of knowing what a woman wants to do and what she expects a man to do for her. Cheryl Lavin wrote for the Chicago Tribune, “I hold as many doors for men as they do for me.” Modern chivalry has to take into account that chivalry is not just for men but women as well. It does not stop with just opening doors, it includes any chivalrous deed. The problem is, it all depends on the situation. Some women today might not expect, or want a man to be overly chivalrous towards her because they are colleagues. A Chicago Tribune article states, “ I work hard every day, competing with the men in my office. I have actively discouraged the men from opening doors for me.” That is why a modernized version of chivalry is essential. What is expected has transformed over the years. Independence is something that is yearned for in today’s society. Men and women have gone away with the idea of gender roles. Equality is something seen now more than ever. Women today do not want to be seen and hopeless, that they need a man
Over the centuries, women’s duties or roles in the home and in the work force have arguably changed for the better. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen teaches the reader about reputation and loves in the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries by showing how Elizabeth shows up in a muddy dress, declines a marriage proposal and how women have changed over time. Anything a woman does is reflected on her future and how other people look at her. When Elizabeth shows up to the Bingley’s in a muddy dress they categorize her as being low class and unfashionable. Charles Bingley, a rich attractive man, and his sister had a reputation to protect by not letting their brother marry a ‘low class girl’. Reputation even today and back in the nineteenth century is still very important aspect in culture. In the twenty-first century, women have attempted to make their lives easier by wanting to be more equal with the men in their society. Women are wanting to be the apart of the ‘bread winnings’ efforts within a family. Since evolving from the culture of the nineteenth century, women have lost a lot of family and home making traditions but women have gained equality with more rights such as voting, working, and overall equal rights. In the twenty-first century world, most women are seen for losing their morals for and manners for others. As for example in the novel when Mr. Darcy is talking badly about Elizabeth she over hears what he and his friend, Mr. Bingley, are saying about her but she does not stand up for herself.
As a significant character of knights in Medieval romances, chivalry represents the idea of respect, honor, courage, and honesty. In modern days, chivalry usually refers to the respect and politeness from men to women. With the rising disputes of gender equality in the society, some people indicates that gender equality is killing chivalry as the unequal nature of showing special respect to women. Now gender equality demonstrate a more significant role of women in the society, gradually replacing chivalry in the way men and women treating each other, but the existence of chivalry does not negatively affect gender equality.
Chivalry is vital to upholding a functioning society in the present day. Chivalry is needed today in our society for various reasons. Chivalry needs to be brought back and it needs to become something that everyone uses. Our society is very careless at that and men and woman all do not understand the true meaning of it.