In everybody’s life there is something that makes him strive for success. That something can be money, women, fame, or many other incentives.. To the medieval knights, victory renown and glory are the ambitions they strive for. Breaking a law in this code would be considered a disgrace, and would bring a dishonor that was worse than death itself. However, by applying the Code of Chivalry, the knights in the medieval time displayed certain character traits which would secure success and honor in both battle and morality. In the book Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott, a knight named Ivanhoe illustrates this by devoting his attention to keeping the rules of the Code of Chivalry, which consisted of love of adventure, integrity, and loyalty to the king, to name a few. These character traits of Ivanhoe coupled with strong characters and a realistic setting allow the reader to understand the importance of a strong set of moral guidelines to all individuals of all time periods in spite of Scott’s excessive detail and confusing subplot.
Respect and loyalty are two of the character traits that Ivanhoe not only possesses but also helps the reader to see their importance for a successful life. For example, in the beginning of the book Ivanhoe is known as the Disinherited Knight because his father, Cedric of Saxon, disinherits him; however, even though he is abandoned, he still respects his father and is loyal to him. His respect is shown in the book when the castle burns and someone asks his father whether defeat is visible. Cedric responds by saying, “Not so, by the soul of Hereward.” He then denounces Ivanhoe’s beliefs. Instead of getting angry at Cedric, Ivanhoe shows respect, and brushes the comments off, and leads a successful life as a result. This is a very good example to today’s reader that comes from generations of children having relationship problems with their parents.
Ivanhoe is not only loyal to his real father but to King Richard the Lion Heart as well. When Ivanhoe is disowned by his father, King Richard steps in and adopts him. Ivanhoe attaches himself to the King and follows him into battle for the Crusades. When the King is captured, Ivanhoe has loyalty and sets his eye on freeing him.
Ivanhoe is not the only character that demonstrates loyalty. The reader can also learn a thing or two about having too much loyalty and pride in family. Cedric the Saxo...
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...characters. Ivanhoe is known as the Disinherited Knight and Wilfred. King Richard the Lion Heart is called the Black Knight after he returns from the Crusades. I became very confused while reading this book because of these double names. I had trouble figuring out who Scott was talking about.
In my opinion the weaknesses of the double names and far too many characters makes this book unappealing. Yes, it does portray the society’s obsession of the Code of Chivalry very well, but it doesn’t make the book interesting. The plot is hard to follow, and the names of all the characters get jumbled together. I would not recommend this book to anyone without a firm grasp of how society was at that time. I think even people with a high education will find this book to be challenging.
In spite of the weaknesses, Ivanhoe and King Richard demonstrate true chivalric characteristics. They exemplify integrity, loyalty to the king, a love for adventure, and bravery. Through this book the reader learns the meaning of moral guidelines due to the examples set by King Richard and Ivanhoe. These examples challenge us to search for our own moral guidelines. Without these we have nothing to strive for.
Honor is a trait few possess in the modern world. Cyrano de Bergerac, a play by Edmond Rostand set in France during the sixteen hundreds, discusses honor in it’s truest form. But honor is not simply a code or a way to describe a man, there are characteristics that make a honorable individual. The main character, Cyrano, lives what many in his city would call an honorable life. Rostand uses this character to explore what characteristics make a man of honor. Some of the prominent traits the author presents as honorable are possessing controlled wit, bravery on and off the battlefield, and the ability to love unceasingly.
This edition of the Chivalry is a result of a reissue of the original edition and is photographically reduced by one-fifth. Though not a fault of Keen’s literary style, this reduction does make reading text much more difficult to accomplish, no matter one’s age. This reduction also sometimes makes the many black and white illustrations, a helpful addition of Keen’s, blurred and reduces their effectiveness in aiding the reader. Overall, however, Chivalry excellently communicates Keen’s belief of the practical importance of chivalric ideals and institutions and results in an enduring work with the “last word” on chivalry.
Shakespeare, William, and Peter Holland. The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. New York, NY: Penguin, 2000. Print.
The epic poem, “The Lay of the Nibelungs” (1200’s), set to practice the major pillars in the code of chivalry that the Duke of Burgundy in the 14th century eventually condensed and ascribed to the Burgundian Knights: Faith, Charity, Justice, Sagacity, Prudence, Temperance, Resolution, Truth, Liberality, Diligence, Hope, and Valor. Though values bear merit, “The Lay of the Nibelungs” teaches that true worth and longevity comes from assessing the situation and applying intellect to the code, from submitting to God, and from not cheating the system (the laws and cultural norms of the time that be).
In The Romance of Tristan and Iseult, our characters face many challenges but must follow a different code for how to deal with them. Tristan is an ideal representative of the chivalric knight that faces a large number of situations where many people would be incapable of maintaining morals. We see the feudal structure of this medieval time in place and its importance to maintaining the structure. The Romance of Tristan and Iseult displays the chivalric roles required in this society through Tristan and his many interactions.
What does this fantastic story tell us about the knight's character and beliefs? This tale gives us insight into the Knight's sense of romance, passion, courage, loyalty and justice or fortune. Firstly, it shows us his ideal of one true, romantic love. He is virtuous and passionate, especially in his love-life. There was only one woman to be ...
...ghthood within their story. Both poets remind the readers of the disparity between the ideals of chivalries presented in romances, and the reality of lived knighthood, highlighting how problematic the understanding of chivalry and Christianity (knighthood) could be for medieval audiences. Though chivalry shines as a brilliant light of the high civilization in the fourteenth century, both tales suggests that chivalry is at best a limited system, which achieves its brilliant at the cost of a distortion of natural life. It was part of the social and ethical system but did not take into account the entire range of human needs, mainly the fact of human morality and sense of human frailty. The context in which knights are depicted and celebrated in the medieval romance does not support a smooth connection between the harsh realities of a century of internecine strife.
During the Nineteenth Century, women were considered second-class citizens. The rigid distinction amid men and women made the married women subservient to their husbands. Men, with their superiority complex, dominated women. This domination is the main theme Charlotte Gilman illustrates within her story "The Yellow Wallpaper." In this fictional short story, the author attempts to bring attention to gender equality. Another theme she tries to portray in her story is the poor treatment of depressed patients. Charlotte Gilman, herself was depressed after she gave birth to a child. She did not agree with the treatment she received. The "rest cure" was an ineffective way to treat a patient. Too much ideal time makes a sane person go insane. This
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...
Music is part of our daily life. We listen to music in our special event, when we are in our way to classes, and while we are taking our shower. We listened to music when we were kids, and we still enjoy this sensation of this magic waves that enter into our brains. However, we do not know what exactly happens to our brain when this waves attain our nerves. We cannot understand how we like a kind of music, and we dislike another one. We will be very surprised to know that music helps us in different field in our school road. This is why scientists exists to prove to us how amazing the brain is. This research paper will cover the past and the present researches made by scientists and experts in the brain field. Even VH1, a music channel for young did a study that proves the importance of music. The channel claims that music is important to builds and strengthens connections between brain cells. Besides it improves memory and the ability to differentiate sounds and speeches. ( VH1,2013)
... bloody pathway to kingship. Filled with scorn against a society that rejects him and nature that curses him with a weakened body, Richard decides to take revenge and ultimately declares a war between himself and the world. By achieving goals for the mere sake of self-advancement, a self-made hero, an ambitious king, and an atrocious villain were created. Richard assumes that love forms a bond which men can break, but fear is supported by the dread of ever-present pain (Machiavelli ch. XXIV); thus, for true success the hero must be a villain too. Richard III becomes one of literature’s most recognized anti-heroes under the hands of Shakespeare as he has no objective or thought to take up any other profession than the art of hatred; however, ironically being a representative of a heroic ruler sent by God, he is made to commit murder to redeem society of their sins.
Richard’s political ambition is revealed through his strategic calculations based on the order of birth in his York family which puts him third away from the throne. Ahead of him is his elder brother, George Clarence, a barrier which will have to eradicate. His brother, King Edward, is another political barrier, by simply being alive, in power and equally by being the father of the two young princes . Richard’s creates a political mistrust between his two brothers without directly implicating himself to clear his way to power.
In the movie those who were higher up in society had qualities that many thought could not be reached. This was because society set the limitations of everyone even as law. But when someone such as William or the blacksmith lady showed that even lower class individuals can stand up to the level of knights, society can witness a change in opinions and societal behaviors. In the movie of the Knight’s tale, even people in lower social classes proved to be more worthy and capable because of pride and determination. The system of keeping the poor poor and the rich rich set out for individuals to set a goal of overcoming an obstacle that in the medieval times was almost impossible to reach
You’re with a group of friends and of course, you all have cell phones. You keep checking your phone thinking that it’s vibrating. Your hand twitches as it hovers over the phone you so delicately placed in your pocket only seconds later. Have you ever heard of Phantom Vibration Syndrome? This is where you’re constantly checking your phone because you think you feel it vibrating or ringing.(Dr. William Barr, abcnews.com) Most teens these days own a cell phone, doesn’t matter what type of phone it would be, they still have this device. High percentages of these teens are addicted and don’t know this, but these devices are ruining their health and the way the live everyday. Cell phones are monsters that are taking over our lives more and more everyday, and we aren’t even acknowledging it.
In conclusion, music can affect human behavior negatively and positively. Not everyone reacts the same way to negative or positive music. In most cases, rap and hip hop can have a negative effect on anyone’s behavior because of the provocative lyrics it may entail. Many different messages, that aren’t always positive, can be presented in hip hop and rap. Moreover, Soundscape music can have very positive effects on human behavior. It is very relaxing and soothing. It is a good way to calm someone or bring back positive memories of nature. In any case everyone should monitor what they listen to because in the end it can affect your behavior. We can’t change the age we’re living in but we can change what we listen to.