Abstract The paper relates that for the first two centuries, chivalry continued to denote proficiency in the art of fighting on horseback and it was only later that this social role of the knights became a specific ideology and a code of honor. The paper then illustrates how the romance of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is a symbol of the complex ideology that emerged during the Medieval Ages around the concept of knighthood. The paper also discusses how the crusades organized by Christendom against paganism relied on knights and on their extreme devotion and generosity. The paper therefore concludes that knighthood can be identified as an important part of the Middle Ages, with a complex ideology of its own but also with a determinate role in society.
From the Paper "Knighthood or chivalry has a very interesting and tumultuous history, which begins in feudalism and continues in the Medieval Age. In England, evidences of chivalry appear only after the Norman Conquest. In the beginning, the term "knighthood" was merely used to indicate the investment of arms of a young man after his training was over. For the first two centuries, chivalry continued to denote proficiency in the art of fighting on horseback. It is only later that this merely social role of the knights was rounded with a specific ideology, which soon become a code of honor. With the spread of Christendom, there appeared different orders of knights, each with their characteristic goals and ideals."
Abstract Sir Arthur Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" presents, in one volume, a cumulative and syncretic vision of knighthood. A knight has several roles, and his worth depends on how well he fulfills them. Malory's knights are primarily defined by martial success, although the knights of the Grail Quest have a separate set of standards to live up to because of the spiritual component of their quest. This paper describes the defining characteristics of a Malorian knight and addresses apparent inconsistencies in the text. The knights' characteristics are prowess in feats of arms, lack of caution, courtesy and devotion to the fellowship and, by extension, to the state. Relationships with women are usually conducted along the lines of courtly love. The ascendancy in Book VI of "pure" knights like Galahad does not indicate inconsistency on Malory's part, but rather a change in the Arthurian world, a need for a new kind of knight for a new kind of quest.
From the Paper "Many knights disobey some of the guidelines for knightly conduct, but the sympathetic ones usually have a reasonable excuse. Arthur orders young boys killed to avert the prophesy of his death but this is not strongly condemned. Tristram cannot ride to the aid of Lord Segwerdes' abducted wife until her husband has tried to free her or it will be too obvious that Tristram is having an affair with her. Lancelot shamefully rides in a cart because he is in a terrible rush to reach Guinevere. Tristram technically commits treason by cuckolding his king, but a chapter heading within the tale of Tristram de Lyones is entitled "Here Begynneth the Treson of Kinge Marke That He Ordayned Agayne Sir Trystram." Of all the knights, Sir Gareth is probably the one who lives most in accordance with the chivalric ideal."
Abstract This paper offers an explanation of knights, defining them as professional soldiers and describing, in detail, their role, dress, history, and status. The paper shows the significance of horses in a knight's life, as well as explaining how the status of knight came about during the four chivalry periods of English history. The writer concludes that, while knighthood is no longer around, Renaissance festivals all over the world relive the pageantry of the feudal system and the knights who were part of it.
From the Paper "Horses were critical to a knight's service. In France he was a 'Chevalier', in Italy a 'Cavalier', in Spain a 'Caballero', and in Germany a 'Ritter', from the word meaning 'to ride'. Even the name for the code by which the knight was later bound. It is only in England that the etymology of a horse cannot be traced back to horse. It came from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Cniht', meaning household retainer or servant. It wasn"t until the 12th Century that knighthood and chivalry become inextricably associated with gentility. To this day, being a knight is synonymous with being chivalrous"once again from the French cheval."
Tags: anglo, saxon, english, british, horse, chivalry, lord, king
This paper discusses the characteristics of heroism, love, and honor as portrayed by the knights in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" (anonymous).
Abstract This paper explains that Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", which belong to the 14th century Western literary period, illustrated how knights are characterized by different people in different situations. The author points out that the image of a brave and chivalrous knight dominated the view of knighthood and was perpetuated and tolerated by a society that was characteristically patriarchal or male-dominated. The paper concludes that each knight, to some degree, is unique; Arcita has his rationality; Palamon is a romantic knight; Sir Thopas is adventurous, yet irresolute; and Sir Gawain is a man of integrity and honor.
From the Paper "The first reading is based on "The Knight's Tale" from Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" . This tale introduces to the readers the characters of Arcita and Palamon, who became prisoners in Athens under the rule of Theseus, lord and governor of Athens. The story centers on how the two knights fell in love with Emily, sister of Queen Hippolyta, and upon their freedom from bondage to Theseus, they sought ways in order to be close to Emily, and eventually win her heart and marry one of them."
Abstract A paper which presents a detailed comparison between "Quest of the Holy Grail" by F. Locke and "Tristan of Thomas". The writer of this paper presents the two stories and then analyzes where they are similar and where they differ. The paper shows that one of the main differences between the two papers is that in "Tristan" there is an important element of love for human, while in "Quest of the Holy Grail" there is an element of spiritual love and willingness to go wherever that love took them.
From the Paper "The magical experiences found in each story have much to do with the era of their existence. Loving a woman so much that one is willing to give up the ways of a knight was extremely rare in those times. Loving the hunt for the grail enough to give up all sense of a normal existence was also rare. It is the very rarity that each story depicts that make the stories similar in their foundational natures. The reader can read them both and come away with a sense of fulfillment and a desire to choose a quest of their own and follow their hearts to fulfill that quest."
Abstract A paper which shows how reality and illusion are interwoven not only throughout the story line of Don Quixote exploits, but how author, Miguel de Cervantes, even leaves the true authorship of this tale in question, suggesting that he is merely translating the story from the original writings of Cide Hamete. The paper discusses the madness of Don Quixote who sees people and objects in his everyday life as the counterparts in his knights and damsels world of chivalry, and how Don Quixote charging the windmills has become a classic scene and now serves to symbolize bravery in vain..
From the Paper "Cervantes begins Part Two of Don Quixote again referring to the writings of Cide Hamete, thus, lending credence to both, Don Quixote and Hamete as real historic characters (Cervantes, 529). This further adds confusion between reality and fantasy. Throughout the novel there are countless scenes crossing the line of reality and illusion. The deathbed scene is perhaps the most poignant, for at the end, even though he himself had given up his chivalrous life and rejoined society, the others around him were still holding on to his fantastic world of knights and damsels in distress. But Don Quixote speaks, "I am no longer Don Quixote of La Mancha, but Alonso Quixana""
Tags: Alonso, Quixano, knighthood, Sancho, Cide, Hame, Miguel, de, Cervantes
Abstract The paper shows that if there was an historical King Arthur he would have existed centuries before the era of knighthood, probably sometime in the sixth century. It discusses how the historical reality of Arthur is much in doubt and remains a controversy, though Arthur has his champions who believe the stories of his reign began with a real personage and then were turned into myth and legend by various writers, each treating Arthur differently. The author traces the history of the stories relating to Arthur, and analyzes some of these works such as Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" and "The History of the Kings of Britain" by Welsh monk Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1135.
From the Paper " Many of the elements that would be part of the later tradition were missing, however. Arthur's court is not at Camelot but at a place called Caerlon-on-Usk, or City of Legions. Geoffrey contributed at least three new elements to the existing histories of Arthur--he supplied Arthur with a family tree, told of Arthur's association with Merlin, and described his burial at Avalon. Later chroniclers would use Geoffrey's account as a source and would develop more complex stories establishing Arthur as a king in the popular imagination."
Tags: Camelot, Merlin, Christien, de, Troyes, Sir, Lancelot, Holy, Grail, Mordred, Alfred, Lord, Tennyson, Idylls, of, the, King
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 This paper analyses the character of Don Quixote in Cervantes's famous novel by the same name. The hero lives in the world of illusion and believes in the tales of knighthood. His thinking and obsession take him to several places and his life becomes a series of bizarre events.
Abstract This paper reviews the medieval tale of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". It looks at how Sir Gawain is most often associated with virtues of the chivalric code, how these codes were often displayed through symbols, and how, in the case of Arthurian knights, armor was often decorated with meaningful symbols. It discusses how the endless knot is one of the most prominent symbols in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and, upon close inspection, how the knot itself becomes a symbol for the somewhat unattainable goals of medieval knighthood. It examines the significance of the endless knot, how it relates to the lady's girdle, and the overall meanings of these symbols.
From the Paper "The girdle appears to be more complicated than the pentangle. The girdle is a gift from lady. We can easily make an association with the girdle and the magic it represents. This may seem similar to the "magic" that Gawain's shield posses, but it also very different. For example, we are told that the man who possesses the girdle "could not be killed by any craft on earth" (1854). To examine the way in which the girdle is offered and accepted says much about Gawain and his beliefs, not to mention his humanity. The lady offers the girdle to him as some sort of magical protection against physical harm. This offering indicates that a segment of society did indeed believe in such talismans. In fact, we might even assume that such talismans were part of religious practices. "
This paper discusses "The Song of Roland", by an anonymous author, translated by Patricia Terry. It specifically examines the brave knight, Roland, the principal character.
Abstract The paper explains that "The Song of Roland" is an epic poem, which tells the story of how, after seven long years of fighting, King Charlemagne's French forces were eliminated by Muslim forces during the Crusades in Spain; Count Roland is Charlemagne's nephew, a brave and gallant knight who serves Charlemagne well. The author points out that this poem, probably written around the year 1100, is the oldest known epic poem, a format that was very popular at this time. The paper concludes that Roland, an epic hero and a symbol of knighthood and chivalry, demonstrates that those who are true to their beliefs and religion can do mighty things and will be greeted on their journey to heaven.
From the Paper "Roland is clearly Charlemagne's favorite, he says of him "'God! If I lose him, no one can take his place'" (35). Yet, even though he has an ominous dream, he sends Roland off to command the rear guard as Ganelon has suggested, and so, he seals Roland's fate. Yet, even though Ganelon is a traitor, Roland will not listen to anything bad about his stepfather. He admonishes Oliver when he calls him "false-hearted" (42), and is true to his family, even though they are not true to him. This intense loyalty extends to his king, to his men, and to his conviction that Christianity must spread throughout the world. This loyalty is an important part of chivalry, and Roland is an excellent example of what people of the time felt chivalry should represent."
Abstract This paper looks at the life and work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and analyzes his novel, "Don Quixote of La Mancha", as representing the dualistic nature of human personality. It also looks at the novel as a social document with universal meaning.
From the Paper "Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra is credited with writing "Don Quixote of La Mancha", a work translated into more languages than any other but the Bible. Cervantes was a novelist playwright and poet but only two of his plays are extant...."
Tags: chivalry, honor, knighthood, romance, idealism, realism, Sancho Panza, Don Quixote, Cervantes, literature, human psyche
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 various sources on which Sir Thomas Mallory drew to create the version of the legend of King Arthur that is known today. The writer provides an overview of the historical background for the Arthurian legend and the evidence that exists for a historical Arthur. The writer explains the medieval traditions of courtly love and of chivalry that Mallory incorporated into his book and his legacy of the knightly ideal that was detailed by Chaucer in his "Canterbury Tales," and in the fourteenth-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."
From the Paper "The account that did the most to establish Arthur as a prominent historical figure was The History of the Kings of Britain written in 1135 by Geoffrey of Monmouth, a Welsh monk, and the book provides a history of the earliest kings of Britain, some 99 in all, including King Coel, known to us today from the nursery rhyme as Old King Cole. About one-fifth of the book is devoted to Arthur, and Geoffrey provides the first organized version of the story. Many of the elements that would be part of the later tradition were missing, however. Arthur's court is not at Camelot but at a place called Caerlon-on-Usk, or City of Legions. Geoffrey contributed at least three new elements to the existing histories of Arthur--he supplied Arthur with a family tree, told of Arthur's association with Merlin, and described his burial at Avalon."
