Why Do We Study The Imaginary World?

Literature of the Middle Ages can not be discussed without acknowledging the undeniable importance of chivalry. Chivalry in relation to the middle ages is defined as “the code of conduct adhered to by Medieval knights with gallant knightly values including honor, bravery, courteousness and honesty.” This key characteristic is essential in defining an ideal knight as well as his expectations. A knight must live by a chivalric code in which he becomes indebted to the people, his fellow knights, and most importantly, his lord. No other knight displayed more of a devotion to upholding the code then Lanval of Marie de France’s lai “Lanval.” Lanval demonstrates his chivalric nature in essential every action from maintaining comitatus amongst the

The Knight’s striking military career is considered prestigious and esteemed. The Knight has fought in “fifteen mortal battles” (Chaucer 4) all over the world. He fought in Prussia, Lithuania, Granada, North Africa, Anatolia, and Russia. His devotion to his career brings attention to the significance of fighting for the Knight, “it is during his violent interactions with others, that his loyalty to the knightly code should be most apparent” (n.a. par. 2). The Knight’s devotion to his work in the military can be assumed by how Chaucer describes his appearance when he begins his pilgrimage. In contrast to his son, the Squire, who wears fine clothing “embroidered like a meadow bright and full of freshest flowers, red and white” (Chaucer 5), the Knight, Chaucer reveals, is not “gaily dressed” (Chaucer 5) which divulges that

One good example of how the film mocks Chivalric Code and Knightly Behavior is right in the beginning of the film. Author runs into a fight between and green knight and a black knight. The Black Knight kills the Green Knight while Author is there. Author tries to walk by but the black knight won't let him. So Arthur fights him. Author cuts the black knights arm off. The black knight still wants to fight when his arm is cut off. A knight is supposed to be strong and not give up. They continue to fight and Author cuts off the knight's other arm, and both legs. The Black Knight can even move at all now, but he still tries to fight Author. The code of bravery was ingrained in the knight that he was going to fight even

In truth, however, those images have often been exaggerated. Many Cowboys were ex-slaves who sometimes had menial jobs and still faced discrimination after earning their freedom. Contrary to their image and code, many actual Cowboys rode across the west and slaughtered people in passing. They did not always treat their women perfectly and often abandoned families. The Cowboys we meet in the movies and books today are a fantasized version of a very human mix of individuals who have as many shortcomings as they do positive characteristics. The character and bravery of the Knight has often been exaggerated as well. Arthurian literature can be misleading when the masculinity of the Knight is fabricated. Two popular accomplishments made by Knights

In the Medieval Period, knights dedicated their lives to following the code of chivalry. In Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, a number of characters performed chivalrous acts to achieve the status of an ideal knight. Their characteristics of respect for women and courtesy for all, helpfulness to the weak, honor, and skill in battle made the characters King Arthur, King Pellinore, and Sir Gryfflette examples of a what knights strove to be like in Medieval society. Because of the examples ofchivalry, Le Morte d’Arthur showed what a knight desired to be, so he could improve theworld in which he lived.

Knights are one of the most mistaken figures of the medieval era due to fairytales and over exaggerated fiction novels. When medieval knights roamed the earth, it was known that they were only human and, like humans, had faults. These knights did not always live up to the standards designated by society. However, in The Canterbury Tales, the knight is revealed as a character that would now be considered a knight in shining armor, a perfect role model in how he acts and what he does. Modern day people see them as chivalrous figures instead of their actual role as mounted cavalry soldiers. As time passes, the idea of what a knight is changes from a simple cavalry soldier to a specific type of behavior.

The legends and tales of the knights of King Arthur’s Round Table have resounded for ages—vivid stories of courageous and gallant knights usurping evil while simultaneously maintaining an upstanding reputation. Through the Arthurian tales, one has the opportunity to experience heroic narratives of exemplary models of knights who clearly illustrate the chivalry and honorability one should aspire to possess. No more evidently is this theme displayed than in the 14th century epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight—a narrative of Sir Gawain, nephew of the legendary King Arthur, and his heroic journey against a mysterious green knight. In this heroic journey, the inherent charisma Gawain possesses and is continually praised for affirms the

• Age of chivalry emerges as knights become highly valued and respected for their loyalty and military

The medieval time period brought along a unique style of romance. Romance during the Medieval time referred to French and German poetry dealing with chivalry and the quests of knights in warfare as well as their bravery and courage (Wheeler 1). The chivalry of knights towards women is demonstrated in Milun, Sir Orfeo, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Each of the writings have a different way of unveiling the knight’s chivalry, yet they all share a common theme. Although chivalry is a common theme in all three texts, medieval romance can vary greatly. Some other themes shown throughout the three texts are loyalty, trust, compassion, respect, and devotion.

In the days of knights, kings, and jousts, there existed the knightly code of chivalry. This code is seen throughout medieval texts and is described as,“a moral system which went beyond rules of combat and introduced the concept of Chivalrous conduct - qualities idealized by the Medieval knights such as bravery, courtesy, honor and great gallantry toward women...The Code of Chivalry was the honor code of the knight. The Code of Chivalry was an important part of the society and lives of people who lived during the Medieval times and was understood by all.”(Alchin). The respected knight not only followed these rules, but also lived to serve a king. In the two tales of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Morte D’Arthur, three of the chivalrous rules are clear to see. In these two tales, the three rules of the nights that are prevalent in the stories are, courage, honesty, and strength.

Knights were essential for providing security and a sense of safety during the Middle Ages. Knights took a rigorous training process to learn every aspect of warfare and to acquire skills needed for knighthood. After training was complete, knights would have to abide by the Code of Chivalry, which was studied during their training. An ordinary knight’s life involved forty days of service in wars to their lord, and the activities which occupied a knight’s free time . Although knights were elite warriors and honorable men, as Europe crawled out of the Middle Ages, their services were no longer needed.

When people think of knights, they picture strong, brave, helpful, and selfless men. Gawaine le Coeur-Hardy of Heywood Broun’s “The Fifty-first Dragon”, despite being enrolled in an elite knight school, cannot be described as any of those. Instead, he is overall better described as fearful, insecure and dull. His unenthusiasm about learning any skills of the knight serves as a detriment to his character, causing his peers and teachers to think of him as lazy, a trait that I can somewhat relate to. Despite our one small similarity, Gawaine and I differ drastically in several ways. He is unintelligent, cocky, and gullible, whereas I am the complete opposite on all three accounts.

Back in the Medieval Era, a knight was known to be loyal to the King. They learned to have chivalry and do what the King said. Being loyal and chivalry were not only the only thing that they were know for, but they were know to go on adventures during their time as a knight. In these two stories, "Sir Gawain and a The Green Knight" and "Le Morte d'Arthur", there is Medieval Romance, the main characters are loyal, and they have chivalry.

Ideas that have been taught in many societies since the first civilizations of Mesopotamia to the world now are duty, loyalty and bravery. No period relied on these ideas more than the Middle Ages time of Europe. The European societies were based on the nature of feudalism. Feudalism worked if everyone in the society did their duty and gave loyalty to everyone above the on the social latter. The knight was the backbone of the feudal society. He was the protector of the heavenly Lord, their lady and the earthly lord. The roles and duties of the knight are quotes as, “the most noble knight under Christ, And the loveliest lades that lived on earth ever, and he the comeliest king, that the court holds.” (P. 26) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight gives a perspective to view life from the courtly aspect of the European feudal

The author of the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer, does try to show a world where everything is how it truly is and not as something that is fake. Throughout the story of “The Wife of Bath” he shows that knights should have a chivalry to uphold and should work hard to keep it. He also shows that everyday things that can be horrible end up happening in real life. Many times he also mentions religion and how it affects how some people are in the work of religion. Chivalry to uphold is a main part of the reason many knights had their place in society.