V For Vendetta Chivalry Analysis

Both Steve Rogers, of Captain America, and V from V for Vendetta both are great examples of what chivalry is and should be, to a high extent. But over the years, it has become evident that chivalry and what it meant in the past, have lost its place in modern society.

Chivalry, as we understand it today, is when a man is courteous and polite and yields to a woman but what it meant in the past is different to what it is defined as now. In the past Chivalry was a code of conduct for knights. It was a combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight of honour and that included courage, readiness, courtesy and justice. The word is derived from the old French word, chevalerie, meaning knighthood and a knight is associated with being a hero.

He is a hero in the sense that he is an advocate for violence as in his situation, that is the only way he can save his people and make a change. His readiness, which is one of the qualities of someone one who honours the chivalric code, is an example of why he is a perfect illustration of chivalry. The scene in which he faces off many police officials is an example of his readiness. He knew his fate due to that fact that it was one man against many other heavily armed men who could kill him with one shot.

Knowing the battle, he was about to fight, he still went to do the work he felt he owed to the country (heroness). Putting his life on the front line for people he does not even know is worthy of honour; another characteristic of what would be an ideal knight in medieval times. Although he saves his people through excessive violence, he is doing so in order to help the weak, in this case the people of the country who have been mute and bound by the government. None of his acts are of personal desire but for the satisfaction and happiness of others. Putting others before your needs and wants , personally, is a form of chivalry. It may not be what the modern man would define as chivalry but they can