Chivalry Today Research Paper

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘Chivalry’ as “the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood,” (“Chivalry”). The late Letitia Baldridge, who served as the White House Social Secretary for Jacqueline Kennedy as well as an advisor for many more first ladies, has been quoted with saying “Chivalry isn 't dead. It 's just no longer gender-based,” (Baldrige). Baldrige, who was the author of more than twenty books on subjects ranging from etiquette to business and interior design, has also been recognized as amongst some of America’s first woman small business owners (Baldrige). Whereas the concept of chivalry has evolved over the years, a perfect example of its meaning can be found in the fourteenth century poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The poem opens with allusions to Greek and Roman history and eventually sets the story on Christmas in Camelot with King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew and a knight in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, faces trials and temptations that one would typically expect from a knight of the round table. Through careful and juxtaposed analysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and articles by reputable authors, this paper will examine the theme a knight’s chivalric code in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the transformation of Sir Gawain as he faces multiple trials.

The Code of Chivalry from Medieval times is very relevant to the modern world. We still have the same virtues such as honesty, loyalty, courage, and faith. Though these virtues were practiced more commonly in the medieval times, modern people still have a sense of what is right and wrong because of these

One of the main elements of chivalry is bravery, in the story we read Beowulf's last Battle, an example of braver was ,”He could see how his king was suffering … Wiglaf mind was made up ; he raised his yellow shield and drew his sword.” in the story Wiglaf went back to help his king fight, that showed bravery. An example of bravery today is people going/volunteer in the military and army. That shows bravery because, you're sacrificing your life for other and your country.

Chivalry is not a behaviour that should be displayed to everyone. In the story of Sir Gawain’s Marriage, Sir Gawain gives a promise to King Arthur to marry a woman with an unusually grotesque appearance. Through the story, Sir Gawain shows obvious signs of unchivalrous behavior such as arrogance and pride. But there are glimpses of chivalry shown by Gawain that displays growth. Sir Gawain shows chivalry to King Arthur by keeping his promise to Arthur by marrying the woman. But when Gawain is alone with the woman, he shows disrespect to the woman. Sir Gawain struggles with pridefulness and arrogance while growing his chivalry.

When asked to think of the word “chivalry” and the chivalric code, what is the first thing which comes to mind? Many would visualize the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Most people overlook that chivalry was a code of conduct, designed specifically for the hierarchical order of society and difficult lifestyle during medieval times. The code of conduct included many ideals such as courage, honor, and protecting the weak and was followed by the knights; it also helped control the warrior class by imposing such strict expectations, ensuring they won’t violently turn on those they are assigned to protect. Chivalry played a very important role in the medieval time period.

King Arthur’s court at Camelot has rule that the knights should live by and it is the chivalrous code. Chivalry is defined as the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms. To put the definition in better terms is that the more manly you are in battle, the more you have to treat your lady or wife as a princess. The fighting spirit, bravery and courtesy are important to a man’s character and cowardice is looked down upon as a severe defect.

An example of proper chivalry is being tough and having courage and self-sacrifice. In Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the Black Death/Bubonic Plague was taunted which can relate to how death is an aspect in all noble journeys. These jourmeys do not neces-sarily cause death, but death is very well associated with long quests and is something almost every knight will see or experience. This ties into having courage and being tough. In the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, King Arthur is going about crossing a bridge on his excursion, but a black knight refuses to let him pass. King Arthur then pro-ceeds to battle him, so he can continue his quest. When the battle is over, the black knight is missing both arms and legs, but continues to badmouth Arthur in hopes that the battle will continue. This is tremendously satirical because the knight was still living, speaking, and fighting after having his limbs severed. Realistically, that may not be possible. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,

The most insightful explanation of the theory of Criminality is the Chivalry Theory. This theory argues that there is no difference in criminal offending between genders. The Criminal justice system makes the difference because it is lenient to female criminals (Islam, Banarjee & Khatum 2014). Chivalry means treating others with respect, courtesy and sympathy. Chivalry is always directed towards women.

The Code of Chivalry, though never truly being set in stone or truly documented, played a large role in shaping medieval society and literature. Though the basis of this code seems to be rooted more so in fantasy and fiction of the age, we need to take a glance and consider just how much sway the code held in the medieval era. The code of chivalry has its roots in feudalism, the common theme of the feudalistic era, as quoted by many a historian is the idea of “those who work, those who fight, and those who pray” as the main element of that era. The fighting class, or rather vassals and knights, developed a code of conduct that became the essence of good behavior or how one should act in respect to not only their lords, but everyone in society.

     One rule of chivalry is that you have to honor and respect women. Back in the days of King Arthur this was carried out greatly but if you look at the lack of respect given to women today you see that this rule of chivalry no longer exists. Women’s right have made great strides in the past few decades but women are just not given the respect that they deserve. Women were put in high regards back in King Arthur’s day. Now they are not as respected as they

Chivalry is a concept that has baffled countless medieval historians throughout the years. Chivalry was supposedly a code that knights and nobles lived their lives by, however, like other social structures of the past historians have debated over the extent to which people lived according to chivalric principles. Sir Walter Scott believed that chivalry was meant as a code which knights could aspire, but not one that was carried out in reality. His description seems accurate. Chivalric principles could not be borne out in real life. Froissart painted a romantic image of The Hundred Years War and of the aristocracy at the time. Froissart is constantly full of praise for the chivalric lifestyle many of them are

Everyone has their own unique form of chivalry. I can relate to the Medieval code of chivalry everyday by not only helping others, but by using my chivalrous qualities to help shape my life, and hopefully prepare for what lies ahead in life. Throughout my life, I have been able to keep faith when trials have come my way. With this chivalrous quality, I have changed as a person, viewed the world in a new perspective, and never conformed to what the outside world as

Chivalry was intended to control violence. It is important to note that Chivalry did not stop violence, but channeled it into something manageable (Abels, R, n.d.). In the twelfth century, men of war would compete in jousting competitions and duels. These competitions cast illusions of battle that were tremendously less dangerous, but still quite violent. If you consider how our modern attempt to neutralize violence is through intelligence and Olympic Games, then perhaps you might agree that there are some resemblances. The Olympic Games are a means to compete with other nations without the dangers of war and death. Of course, we didn’t get the idea on our own; we took it from history. Ancient Greece, Rome, and the medieval

The broad-shouldered and muscular knight stood before his king, ready to take fealty. His sword glistened from being wiped clean of battle. The knight was well-known and honored throughout the kingdom. These males made different vows to protect their country. There were ceremonies for these affirmations. They had special clothing for battle and everyday living. One part of this was because of the codes of chivalry. Chivalry has been around for centuries. Knights like those of the middle ages had many responsibilities and made vows to ensure their commitment to the codes of chivalry.

In today’s society chivalry is needed so everybody has the same expectations of behavior and so everyone is treated fairly. Chivalry is needed today more than ever. It is needed in relationships, schools, communities, and just everyday life. The world without chivalry is full of violence and cruelty and inequality, and that is the type of world we are living in now. People are deprived of privileges, beaten, and divorced every single day.