Chivalrous Code :: essays research papers

Chivalry began in the 12th century in the form of a knightly formula of conduct, with special emphasis on courtly manners toward women. Thirteenth century stories that arrangemented the ways a warrior should run in romance became popular . Churchmen liked the idea of high standards and make the knighting ceremony a religious occasion with a church ticker and purifying bath. Books on the subject soon began to appear.Many forms of chivalrous code can be found today, from The Cowboys Code to the Rules of complaisant Love. These codes are stated with the hope that people will try and come out them to some degree yet only the perfect could adhere to them completely. Considering the accompaniment that such perfection is impossible, the authors merely set out a guideline for honorable behavior. In the context of medieval times, a knight was judge to have faith in his beliefs for faith was considered to give hope against the hopelessness that human failings create. I chose to use The Code of Chivalry for my comparisons on literary characters great successes and failures. For my first example, I chose the brave and fearless Beowulf. According to the nineteenth code of chivalry, one must Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms, and also Exhibit courage in word and exertion. Beowulf announced to fight the evil Grendel, saying We shall fight for our lives, foe against foe and he whom death takes off must resign himself to the judgment of God (1200). after the battle, the terror-filled Grendel crept away, mortally wounded. Beowulf had upheld this particular code with valor and bravery.For my second example, I looked to Sir Gawain. The fable of the Green Knight is seeped with instances of chivalry, and honorable men. Always keep ones word of honor, was an obvious code for this particular story. Not only did Sir Gawain show respect for the codes of chivalry by serving his king, exhibiting courage, and fighting with honor he kept his words of honor that had be en spoken with the Green Knight. Although he was flurry in his course, he kept the appointed new year challenge with the knight. Not a perfect instance of chivalry, yet his example leads nicely into my next character assessment.Don Quixote, if nothing else, must be praised for his doughty efforts to follow the laws of the great knights. After encountering a man beating a half naked youth, he informs him that it is a caitiffs deed to attack one who cannot defend himself.