Morte d Arthur Essay

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.

Through means of this story, chivalry seems like a perfect ideal that everyone can and should do, but in Monty Python and the Holy Grail viewers can see that maybe chivalry was sort of silly and kind of hard to follow. In the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail they satirize the sort of chivalry shown in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. For example, while Sir Gawain was honorable and brave, Python’s Arthur and his men were exactly the opposite. Arthur and his men ran away from danger, they ran away when the French castle threw whole animals at them, they ran away from the killer bunny and Sir Robin ran away when he realized that he was not going to win the battle against the three headed knight. Clearly, the characters in Monty Python and the Holy Grail didn’t exhibit any of the ideals of chivalry. Chivalry was also well represented and adored in the film Knights of the Round Table. In the film we see many chivalric acts take place, but one act that I focused on was, when Arthur and Sir Lancelot were unknowingly fighting in the woods. The film shows Arthur getting his sword stuck in a tree and Sir Lancelot getting it out for him. So the chivalric idea of fighting a fair fight is shown when Sir Lancelot helps his opponent, instead of just taking the advantage and winning. Once again this aspect of chivalry was

“For ever, said Arthur, it is a worshipful knight’s deed to help another worshipful knight when he seeth him in a great danger; for ever a worshipful man will be loath to see a worshipful man shamed; and he that is of no worship, and fareth

While gender is one of many potential topics, it is also the one that can most easily be connected back to the older ideals of chivalry, as King Arthur’s knights were known to be courteous, polite, and respectful to women. They were taught to drop everything in order to assist those who were in need, regardless of who that person may be. Knights were merciful and kind to even their enemies, and this sense of

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, King Arthur’s court is the epitome of chivalry within its own secluded walls. The code of chivalry to which the knights adhere to included many virtues like mercy, courage, valour, fairness, protection for the weak, a loyalty to their lord, willingness to give up their life for another and the widely known courtly love. In the outside world when faced with opposing ideals and trials this code of chivalry is quickly forgotten or rather ignored. Looking at Sir Gawain in his travels shows how the behavior that was so prized and common in the court, is not used or shown on his journey to find the Green Knight. Even though he had the pentangle on his shield as a reminder of the behavior he should exhibit

I have learned a lot of interesting facts that I didn’t know about the medieval times, especially the era of King Arthur. Honor in the era of Arthur is essentially the same as it is in today’s generation. The only difference is that the knights had a code that they were supposed to follow to be a knight with chivalry. Chivalry was the

Merlin has successfully brought up King Arthur to become a virtuous man and a worthy king who is exceptionally capable of fulfilling Machiavelli’s guidelines. For example, Machiavelli states in “Concerning Things for Which Men, and Especially Princes, are Blamed” from The Prince that “…a man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil.” Merlin taught Arthur integrity and goodness. King Arthur takes this wisdom to build the

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.

However, his loyalty to the king was never acknowledged with gifts of women and land like the other knights. The other knights in court envied Lanval, but never stood up for him. The inaction of the other knights to speak up for Lanval showed cowardness and selfishness, representing the weakness of men. The lonely and unappreciated knight wondered in the woods, which lead him to the maiden who cured him of his solitude. In this context, King Arthur who was not capable of giving anything to Lanval, is being replaced by a women. Aside from his title as King, King Arthur did not resemble a leader. Gifting women and land to his knights made him generous, but there was no sign of leadership being told in the

Sir Gawain was one of a few with a tremendous amount of bravery and courage. He marched over to Sir Lancelot’s territory and demanded a battle. He repeatedly demanded a match until he received what his heart desired. He was courteous of his men’s lives by fighting by his lonesome and not risking anyone’s else’s life. Sir Gawain was slightly modest by not outrageously eager to fight, but he was furious because of his brother’s tragic death. As far as honor he is immensely respected by King Arthur and his fellow knights. Sir Gawain is tremendously big on faith, because he knows Sir Lancelot’s skills and he still believes in defeating him. During the battle, he lost every last one of the fights, but he keeps

At this point in history the men who fought the wars were lead by their leaders with a code of chivalry. Chivalry can be explained as “the Anglo-Saxon code on steroids.” (McGee) Which is, explained further, a moral system for a good way to conduct fighting. The knights in Arthurian time went even further with that code to say that it was a way to conduct oneself not only in battle, but at all times. Knights, by being chivalrous, were kind to all people, fought well and true, kept faith and believed in the Christian God, and fought for their kings. Chivalry can be found across the Arthurian texts, The Song of Roland is one of the texts that has multiple examples of chivalry.

He emphasizes for them to not let their skill make them boastful, but instead stay with the basics and stay true. “Where are all my noble knights become? Alas that ever I should see this doleful day!” (Pg. 187) Arthur is revitalized by the Holy Grail and has one last battle before the battle with his son, Mordred. In this feast, he make a speech on how knights should always follow their code. When asking what is more important, Merlin states that for every lie told an evil appears on the

During the medieval time period, knights were very important heroic figures. Knights were men who served their sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armor. The Knights follow the code of chivalry, which was a religious code to behave in an honorable or polite way. Geoffrey Chaucer shows how the knight uses chivalry in The Canterbury Tales through respect for women, religious act, and honor for their kingdom and their society. Knights exhibit chivalry through the protection and honor of women.

King Arthur is one of the most famous leaders in our world’s history. No one knows whether or not King Arthur ever existed. Either way, he still was very impactful on our world and continues to influence our world today. Nick Bettis states, “That future generations turned him into legend… That is the real significance of King Arthur. We invented him because we have an inherent need for what he represents. He symbolizes our ideals, which makes the most authentic part of us invested in his legacy.” King Arthur invented the idea of chivalry. Chivalry was a code used by the Knights of the Roundtable that included various qualities that were to be expected in an ideal knight such as wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. All of the knights lived and died by this code. Many different texts written about King