Chivalry In Today's Society

Chivalry is dead, and society seems to have strange or contrasting values, or at least this is what people seem to believe. However, compare these assumptions with what is seen from people in society today. The heroes of old lived by a code that still exists in today’s society, and it can be seen in the literature that is written, how society pushes us to be modern heroes, and the portrayals of the heroes of old. Why would society cling too and express the ideals of chivalry for so long if it were dead?
On the contrary, there is plenty of evidence around to show that chivalry is all but dead. The code says to despise monetary reward, yet today there seems to be no lack of greed or want of money, and the news shows countless accounts where people …show more content…
In the poem A Champion’s Heart are the lines “Now city streets are fields for battle, And knights still battle, still are bold,” and further on “Like ancient knights who fought for honor These new knights fight all threats to life”(lines 43-44) (lines 51-52). Lines that claim that the heroes of old are not truly gone, that people today can be as chivalrous and honorable as the knights of yore. These lines are right. Take a fireman, soldier, policeman, lawyer, and doctor, what do all of these people have in common? They can all follow the code of chivalry, their professions enable them to fight for other's welfare, just as the heroes of old. They do not need to have chainmail armor and a sword to follow the code: to preserve to the end in any enterprise begun, to obey those placed in authority, and to protect the weak and defenseless. By that same token it could be said that society encourages us to take up chivalry. How many times have parents told their children to be honest? To respect others and obey authority? To be fair, kind, or helpful? All of these are traits of chivalry, and anyone can take then up and use them. The boy who helps the old lady cross the street, a sister defending her brother, the family that volunteers at their local shelter, they all display chivalry. The knights of today are not …show more content…
“The legends persist through time and cultures. With heroes compelled to show their might. While motives change, the rivalries endure,” (lines 65-67). Like the legends in these lines so too does the chivalry of the old heroes endure through time and culture, and literature can help people to see this. When people write they communicate their values, knowledge, and emotions through their writing, world, and characters. The fact that the trope of the hero itself has persisted so long suggests that writers, and in fact people in general, have known or valued chivalry. Take Batman and Spiderman; both heroes with different origins, and yet, both fight against evil for justice and peoples welfare. Admittedly they were written for amusement, but one reason they are so loved is due to their values, which are aligned with the code of chivalry, and these prompt them be heroes in the first place. Another example can be found in Ivanhoe. Written by Sir Walter Scott, the main character is shown to be a chivalrous person. This is clearly seen in various scenes, first when he meets but does not provoke the templar into challenging him and then as he graciously defeats his opponents. Perhaps most notable is when he steps aside for De Grantmesnil when the man’s horse is rearing and plunging as it runs, throwing off his aim. Chivalry is alive with Sir Scott’s