The Code of the Medieval Knight
(Discuss the concept of chivalry according to the texts: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Song of Roland, Perceval: The Story of the Grail, Morte d'Arthur) Chivalry has always existed in a sense, but has been defined uniquely depending on the culture. Most military forces had a code of ethics they were to follow. During the twelfth century in Europe the medieval chivalry code is "best defined as an aristocratic ethos that prescribed what qualities and attributes a knight ought to possess ..." (Abels) These values appropriated to the class of the knights were derived from feudal obligations. Therefore the main qualities included honesty, bravery, discipline, humility, generosity, obedience, and willingness …show more content…
He is brave, humble, and willing to sacrifice his life. "'I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest; and the loss of my life would be least of any ...'" (Pg 174) This is the moment he asks to take Arthur's place and accepts the challenge himself. He explains that he is not the most valuable knight and offers to risk his life by agreeing to the contest. The next year he upholds the agreement and seeks out the land of the Green Knight and he comes to the home of a Lord where he stays a few nights. They exchange items, but Gawain doesn't exchange the final item which is a green girdle. "Sir Gawain, a model of a chivalrous knight, must struggle to balance the varying and oft times conflicting requirements of the Code of Chivalry with the vagaries of human nature." (Leffert) Even after his dishonest act he accepts his punishment from the Green Knight who instead of directly dealing the blow, he teases and feigns the strikes the first two times, then on the last, he leaves a scratch on Gawain's neck. Gawain believes he has been dishonorable and punishes himself for his sinful act of not telling the entire truth. Gawain's strongest characteristic is his humility and desire to improve himself, which was a key element of being an ideal medieval knight according to their chivalry …show more content…
Mainly, to fight for honor and glory. Roland is especially prideful and brave which allows him to strive for honor and glory and he could have achieved it if he also listened to common sense. He charges into battle with no fear even though the odds are against them. His pride got in the way when Oliver suggested they call for help and only realizes this when it's too late to be saved. "Roland’s duties toward God and toward his fellow knights and lords had certainly become part of what it meant to be a good knight and The Song of Roland idealizes and glorifies men performing those duties." (Boggs) His troops even though heavily outnumbered were able to go into battle with confidence and they had a strong desire to accomplish what they set out to do because of Roland's example of bravery. "Close behind him his good companion follows; the men of France hail him: their protector!" (Pg 699) All are loyal to their cause, even if it is their duty to die fighting for honor and glory. This is a major part of the chivalric code and The Song of Roland is one of the first stories that really outlines what is key to
(Discuss the concept of chivalry according to the texts: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Song of Roland, Perceval: The Story of the Grail, Morte d'Arthur) Chivalry has always existed in a sense, but has been defined uniquely depending on the culture. Most military forces had a code of ethics they were to follow. During the twelfth century in Europe the medieval chivalry code is "best defined as an aristocratic ethos that prescribed what qualities and attributes a knight ought to possess ..." (Abels) These values appropriated to the class of the knights were derived from feudal obligations. Therefore the main qualities included honesty, bravery, discipline, humility, generosity, obedience, and willingness …show more content…
He is brave, humble, and willing to sacrifice his life. "'I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest; and the loss of my life would be least of any ...'" (Pg 174) This is the moment he asks to take Arthur's place and accepts the challenge himself. He explains that he is not the most valuable knight and offers to risk his life by agreeing to the contest. The next year he upholds the agreement and seeks out the land of the Green Knight and he comes to the home of a Lord where he stays a few nights. They exchange items, but Gawain doesn't exchange the final item which is a green girdle. "Sir Gawain, a model of a chivalrous knight, must struggle to balance the varying and oft times conflicting requirements of the Code of Chivalry with the vagaries of human nature." (Leffert) Even after his dishonest act he accepts his punishment from the Green Knight who instead of directly dealing the blow, he teases and feigns the strikes the first two times, then on the last, he leaves a scratch on Gawain's neck. Gawain believes he has been dishonorable and punishes himself for his sinful act of not telling the entire truth. Gawain's strongest characteristic is his humility and desire to improve himself, which was a key element of being an ideal medieval knight according to their chivalry …show more content…
Mainly, to fight for honor and glory. Roland is especially prideful and brave which allows him to strive for honor and glory and he could have achieved it if he also listened to common sense. He charges into battle with no fear even though the odds are against them. His pride got in the way when Oliver suggested they call for help and only realizes this when it's too late to be saved. "Roland’s duties toward God and toward his fellow knights and lords had certainly become part of what it meant to be a good knight and The Song of Roland idealizes and glorifies men performing those duties." (Boggs) His troops even though heavily outnumbered were able to go into battle with confidence and they had a strong desire to accomplish what they set out to do because of Roland's example of bravery. "Close behind him his good companion follows; the men of France hail him: their protector!" (Pg 699) All are loyal to their cause, even if it is their duty to die fighting for honor and glory. This is a major part of the chivalric code and The Song of Roland is one of the first stories that really outlines what is key to