In the works "Lanval", "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", and Book One of "The Faerie Queen", the main characters are knights, which are analyzed in this paper.
Abstract The chivalrous characteristics of the knights from the above works, Lanval, Sir Gawain, and Lancelot, are compared and evaluated. Specific examples are cited to prove their adherence to chivalry, and their actions and hidden agendas are discussed.
From the Paper "In a chivalrous romance, the knights involved strive to abide to the laws of chivalry. Doing so, they must try to display certain virtues characteristic of chivalry. These include many different rules that provide both a moral and casual guide to everyday conduct. For example, a strong sense of honor, produced from loyalty and honesty, was a key component of a good knight. Thus for a knight to be considered chivalrous, he must strive to keep their word and not betray those they have pledged their loyalty. In the works Lanval, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and book one of The Faerie Queen, the main characters are knights that abide to several characteristic virtues of chivalry, including honesty, courtesy towards women, and courage. Although each knight may excel in one more than another, each embodies these virtues."
Abstract This paper explains that at the end of Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Franklin's Tale" the author asks, "Which seems the finest gentleman to you?" The author points out that all the characters demonstrate chivalrous behavior but they have ulterior motives behind their actions. The paper concludes that, of all the characters in Chaucer's tale, it is the magician who demonstrates the most generous act.
From the Paper "Although Aurelius releases her from her debt, "That made me have of her so great pity, And right as freely as he sent her to me, As freely sent I her to him again," he nevertheless, had actually instigated the drama by making advances towards a married woman. He was as much of a schoolboy as Dorigen was a schoolgirl. Both immature. Both unable to control their emotions of desire."
Abstract The paper examines prowess, truth, honor, freedom, courtesy and glory as tenets of the chivalric code in "The Knight's Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer. The paper discusses how knights enacted these various traits in their roles as medieval warriors.
From the Paper "The basis of Chaucer's view of Chivalry defines way and manner in which knights would defend the honor of a lady by always being courteous and gentle, regardless of the military might a knight may exude. Respect for women is clearly part of the chivalric code through courtesy and honor, which defends the love of a woman through a knight's actions and behaviors. The issue of knightly conflict between Palamon and Alcite occurs when lady Emily arouses both of their desire for love--often called courtly love. Jealousy mounts between the two men, who immediately site vows of honor and truth they took as knights to uphold their love for Emily."
Tags: military, might, power, respect, glory, honor, beauty, maiden
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of chivalry during medieval times. Using the story, "The Knight's Tale" by Chaucer, the writer shows how knights were expected to be chivalrous to women and men alike and of all status levels. The writer dispels the myth that knights were taught to be mighty in military tactics only, but instead emphasizes their social responsibilities, as well. Chivalry is greatly emphasized in the story as the entire plot concentrates on chivalric customs and values, thereby underscoring the significance of chivalry in the making of a true knight.
From the Paper "Fair play was thus one of the main characteristics of chivalry but that wasn?t the only one. Apart from fair play and complete adherence to rules, "principal representative of chivalry espouses a highly idealistic conception of the value of a good name" (Muscatine, 184). It was thus important for the knight to have a good reputation. Thus while bravery and valor were important and so was consideration for enemies, but establishing a good reputation in all manners possible was critical to chivalrous behavior."
Tags: medieval, round, table, women, men, dual, france, england
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that chivalry refers to the moral code that was an intrinsic part of the world of Sir Gawain and King Arthur's court. The writer discusses that chivalric ethics and moral code also play an essential part in showing the difference between the higher values of a civilized Christian world as opposed to the " fallen" natural world. In the poetic narrative of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" one is presented with the efforts to maintain these higher moral values, as exemplified in the Chivalric code, through the test that Gawain has to undergo. This moral code is seen in the way that Sir Gawain responds to the various moral tests that he is exposed to. The writer concludes that the poem shows the importance of higher moral values and also the difficulty of maintaining perfect virtue in a fallen world.
From the Paper "One of the essential aspects of the poem in terms of morality is that the tests that Gawain undergoes are essentially meant to show that the chivalric values that he represents are real and not merely an appearance of virtue and morality. In other words they are tested against the real world of nature. Furthermore the moral trials that he has to endure are intended to show the strengths, and weaknesses, of his values as opposed to the world of nature and desire. This can be seen in the way that Gawain has to face up to the threat of his own possible death. The bravery that he shows in facing the Green Knight proves the enduring value of his moral beliefs. On the other hand the fact that he fears death also shows that he fails in terms of moral perfection to a certain extent."
Abstract This paper examines the change in novel styles from the pre-modern to the modern period. The author discusses the new style that incorporates Romanticism, Realism and conception of love, fate and destiny. The author introduces and compares various literary styles such as of Chratien de Troyes, Joseph von Eichendorff"s, Gustave Flaubert's, Guy de Maupassant's, Anton Chekhov's and George Eliot"s.
From the Paper ""Although it is difficult to think of this being the case now, novels were once the province of the upper classes, for that thin segment of society that could read ? and not for the teeming masses stopping by the airport bookstore. Thus even when the world depicted in the novel was not that of the world of the upper classes, the readership was an elite one, and novels were thus written for them. Thus many of the changes that we see occur as we shift from the decidedly non-modern form of the chivalric romance to pre-modern form of the picaresque to the entirely modern styles of Romanticism and Realism are reflective of changes in the nature of reading and the reading public. Other important changes reflect changes in the conception of love, in the place that love held in society in general and in the biography of each person's life, and in attitudes about fate and destiny."
Abstract This paper looks at the chivalric code that was required of a knight during medieval times. The author discusses who became knights, who they held allegiance to, how they behaved at tournaments, and their strong sense of loyalty. The paper also discusses how such knights were supposed to display great heroism, strength, bravery, and politeness towards women.
From the Paper "The knights in the aristocratic courts represented the chivalric virtues and vowed their allegiance and service as to be their primary and foremost responsibility. The knight was one of the three types of fighting men that used to fight in the battleground during the time of the middle ages. Becoming a knight was a part of a feudal agreement. These knights had a firm and strict belief in the code of chivalry. These knights took a pledge that they would always defend the weak and the powerless that are defenseless against any sort of tyranny and oppression. The other codes of conduct they pledged to obey were that they would always be extremely courteous to all women and all ladies."
Abstract This paper compares the rules and theories set forth by St. Augustine to those followed by citizens of the Middle Ages who sought to be chivalrous. It studies both codes which represent the pinnacle of Medieval society. It describes the many classes in the Middle Ages including The Feudal Class, the Religious Class and more. It includes an historical overview of the Middle Ages and the spread of Christianity at the time.
From the Paper "It is interesting to note that St. Augustine's City of God was written in the Fifth Century, which is generally considered to be the onset of the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages gained notoriety and expanded mainly due to the spread of Christianity. St. Augustine's Christian beliefs, coupled with the chivalric code, seemed to serve the theoretical basis for the foundation that the Middle Ages were built on.
"The order of the chivalric code and St. Augustine's rules also show the importance of religion in society. St. Augustine's code begins with the general statement, ?Before all else, dear brothers, love God and then your neighbor, because these are the chief commandments given to us.? This general plea not only serves as the precursor for St. Augustine's code, but would not be out of place if it was written right before the code of chivalry. There are many aspects of the chivalric code which support the general statement made by St. Augustine. They include, "thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone" and ?thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born.? These two elements of the code of chivalry note that commoners should respect their neighbors and the country in which they live."
Abstract The author presents a detailed dictionary meaning of ?Chivalry.? The paper then asks how does one preserve, in a modern moral context, what is good about chivalry, without rendering it either sexist or feudal in the estimation of contemporary viewers and readers? The author answers her question by reviewing in detail the novel, "The Crystal Cave" by Mary Stewart and the film "First Knight". Both modern works are set during Arthurian times and attempt to reinterpret chivalric values for a modern audience.
From the Paper "The notion of "chivalry" thus has both concrete aspects to its definition, including denoting the medieval system of knighthood, as well as more abstract moral connotations. The latter aspect of "chivalry" has come under attack in recent years for both its antiquated notions of class and attitudes towards women. How does one preserve, in a modern moral context, what is good about chivalry, without rendering it either sexist or feudal in the estimation of contemporary viewers and readers? The novel, The Crystal Cave, and the film First Knight, attempt to answer this question. "
Examines and defines this concept in terms of power as a privileged class, chivalric code, military & religious roles, weaponry & garb, training, games and Crusades.
3,600 words (approx. 14.4 pages), 10 sources, 1999, $ 127.95
From the Paper " The institution of knighthood had its roots in the ninth and tenth centuries and vestiges of it remain in place even today. From a practical arrangement in which the principle of vassalage was extended to include military service, the institution grew to the point where a grant of arms was the equivalent of ennoblement. In the course of five centuries during which knights dominated the practice of warfare three important modifications of the system made it a complex historical phenomenon that affected everything from the nature of warfare to fashions in literature. One such modification was the gradual evolution of knights as a privileged, hereditary class. A second was the development of the chivalric code that ritualized their practice and defined the knights' unique social role as a military elite transformed into an aristocracy. The third is the.."
Abstract Examines how the character of Don Quixote is the anti-thesis of the usual image of chivalrous knights. It shows how instead of princesses, Don Quixote manages to save women that are far from the image of a princess, and he even sometimes helps people who are actually outlaws and thieves, which is actually a contradiction of his own concept of chivalry.
From the Paper "One good example of such criticism can be found in Chapters 69-71 of the Second Volume of ?Don Quixote.? In the said chapters, Don Quixote and his sidekick Sancho Panza arrive at the court of the Duke and Duchess and bear witness to the funeral of Altisidora. Altisidora is said to be a female servant of the royal couple who loved Don Quixote so much, but this love was never reciprocated by Don Quixote, who loves Dulcinea (his imagined lover) so much. The Duke and Duchess declare that Altisidora will be spared from death, that is, she will live again, if and only if Don Quixote will allow Sancho Panza to be slapped and pricked by the Duchess? female servants. Because of the great responsibility that was given to him, and amazed of the fact that Sancho Panza has the power to return the dead from the living again, he consented to the Duchess and Duke's appeal after conferring and pleading with Sancho."
Tags: hero, rescue, society, sancho, panza, status
From the Paper "This study will compare and contrast Tristan and Iseult (in the anonymously-authored The Romance of Tristan and Iseult) to Ywain and Laudine (in Chretien de Troyes, Ywain, The Knight of the Lion).
There are clearly two immediate points in which the similarity and difference between are exemplified. In the first place, both pairs of lovers are completely in love with one another. In the second place, with respect to a fundamental difference, is the fact that Ywain and Laudine experience a happy ending after much suffering, while Tristan and Iseult experience death and utter tragedy.
The tragedy of Tristan and Iseult is summarized in the opening paragraph of the book: "My lords, if you would hear a high tale of love and of death, here is that of Tristan and Queen ..."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of the movie and novel. The work "Dangerous Liaisons" is compared through discussions of the movie and the book by Choderlos de Laclosto, to see where they are alike and in what ways they were different. The paper notes that the feminism aspect of each work is different because of the times that they were created but they each work to display the women as driven by sex and emotion. The movie allows the audience to see that the male character is not an innocent victim, whereas the book makes him out to be chivalrous.
From the Paper "The underlying anger at females is evidenced but was based in the novel because the movie only differs from the movie in subtle ways. One of the things that is different is the attitude toward the man. The attitudes toward the man are subtle and one has to look carefully to determine what those differences are. Because the novel was written in 1782 the attitudes about men in general was one of admiration and blind acceptance. It is the thing Harlequin Romances are made of today. Because it was written in the 18th century it is unavoidable that the man is almost an innocent bystander, though he is given some evil traits. It is the woman who wants revenge who is portrayed in the worst light. This is not surprising because at the time the book was written a woman who would do the things she did would be viewed as crass, rude, and vengeful."
Tags: screen, lover, Marquise, de, Merteuil, Valmont
Abstract In a feudal age when lords and ladies lived in accordance with chivalric codes, society viewed the heroic ideal not as an elusive paradigm, but as an essential component of a good man. The paper shows that the ideal, stereotypical hero in a romance is a strong, crafty, brave, courteous, charmingly handsome ladies' man of noble birth. As opposed to the epic hero who retains some degree of individuality as he strives for high achievement, the romantic hero is a type of man who encounters unrelated adventure after adventure while on his quest to accomplish a goal such as rescuing a lady in distress, obeying a king's command, or seeking the Holy Grail. The paper discusses the image of a hero in "King Horn" and "Sir Orfeo", by anonymous authors, where he is a man of high standing who is exiled and then forced to rebuild his reputation in a foreign land.
From the Paper "Unlike Horn who consistently relies on his attractiveness, Orfeo forsakes his appearance to assume the appearance of a poor pilgrim; "al his bodi was oway duine" and "his here of his berd, blac and rowel' (356). Such renunciation of the luxurious life he previously led is his effort to associate himself with the natural world so that he can
retrieve his wife Heurodis from the fairies. At the same time, the medieval audience recognized this alienation motif as essential to a hero's development. Only when his beard is shaved off, his self-imposed isolation ending with the acquisition of his queen, can Orfeo once again dress as a handsome king, charming his audience in addition to his subjects."
Abstract This paper discusses how "courtly love" is a term that was retroactively developed to describe a medieval French concept known as ?Fin Amour.? It examines how this concept became widespread in the 12th century and referred to a code of behavior that was to formulate our modern conceptualization of chivalrous romance. This concept was reflected in Francesco Petrarch's "Italian sonnets", which introduced the concept of lyrical poetry in the 14th century. It analyzes how by Shakespeare's time, a renewed interest in medieval court behavior coincided with a growing interest in Italian ducal courts as depicted in "Othello", "Romeo and Juliet" and "12th Night". It also evaluates how Shakespeare's sonnets, which differed from Petrarch's format, invoke medieval romantic concepts of unrequited love and long periods of courtship while taking a more humanistic approach to these themes.
From the Paper "In that jealousy ultimately destroys Desdemona and Othello, Shakespeare's portrayal of love is ultimately a tale of how people shouldn?t behave when they are in love. The way that the ill-fated couple conduct themselves before they leave Venice is essentially anti-social: when they secretly marry and elope, they implicitly reject the values of society and the desires of Desdemona's family. Whereas a modern audience might see Desdemona's refusal to respect her family's wishes as a not to what were to become the cosmopolitan values of liberal, sexually and racially emancipated Europe, a Shakespearean audience would have recognized this action as a serious breach of conventional norms that characterized European society. "
