In Medieval times many people had predominantly strong moral codes, like those of chivalry. Others were for the most part corrupt. In, "Gawain and the Green Knight", Gawain shows traits of chivalry as well as traits of being immoral. For example, he tells the truth in the beginning of the story, which showed his honesty, but at the end when it was time to face the knight in person he lied about receiving the green scarf from his wife. When he lied he showed dishonesty. As well as, Gawain's character showing traits of chivalry and immorality Chausers characters express both traits as well.
The code of chivalry was expressed through many characters in the Canterbury Tales. In "The Wife of Bath's Tale," the old lady was courteous and generous. "For well you know that I have saved your life." (Line 232) She helped the knight keep his life by telling him specific directions to follow when it was his time to stand in front of the Queen. In addition, the knight was honored for chivalry as well. "Who from the day on which he first began to ride abroad had followed chivalry, truth, honor, generousness and courtesy." (Line 44) From the beginning the knight started out following the code of chivalry strongly which gained people's respect for him. Another chivalrous person, Parson, also falls in this category. "Who truly knew Christ's gospel and would preach it devoutly to parishioners, and teach it." (Line 491) The Parson felt strong about his religion and therefore taught it to outsiders. Furthermore, the host was very chivalrous as well. "Our host gave us great welcome; everyone was given a place and supper was begun." (Line 767) "Bold in his speech, yet wise and full of tact, there was no manly attribute he lacked, what's more he was a merry-hearted man." (Line 775) The host was very good at arranging a spectacular banquet for the noblemen. He not only provided awesome food and drinks but a positive striking attitude in addition.
Bravery, and loyalty is where chivalry, and the Code of Chivalry first originated. ... To God, Sovereign, Country, and the codes of Chivalry. ... The Codes of Chivalry were also influenced by Courtly Love. ... The Codes of Chivalry, and chivalry itself ran strong up to the fourteenth century. ... Chivalry, and the Codes of Chivalry still exist today. ...
The code of chivalry was something the knights went by to the best and most perfect knight they could be. ... Sir Gawain presented good qualities as a knight, but also had some qualities that were not chivalric, according to the code. ... He knew as a knight he was supposed to be brave and honorable to authority and live up to the code of chivalry. ... Self-preservation sometimes took over the code of chivalry, just as it would in all other humans. ... The code of chivalry was a code that all knights were expected to live up to during this time period. ...
Knights were expected to uphold this code of conduct. ... Though the code of chivalry contains many qualities or acts, nevertheless bravery, loyalty, and courtly love are demonstrated more throughout this literature. ... Courtly love was a secret part of the chivalric code. ... In Le Morte d'Arthur, Malory expresses his work through the code of chivalry. The entire piece of literature revolves around the code. ...
During the Middle Ages, this code of conduct would be expected of every man, so where has this quality of a gentleman gone? ... So eventually, acts of chivalry have been removed from most men's code of behavior. ... This explains how chivalry is almost nonexistent. ... Therefore, the act of chivalry in the Middle Ages is now practically nowhere to be found. It is even logical to say that it no longer exists, not chivalry or any other matching code of behavior, in this century. ...
Chivalry started in the Middle Ages as a code of behavior that knights followed. ... This code prohibited knights from attacking the unarmed, and knightly ideals stressed that a good knight fought for glory and Christian purposes and not for profit. ... The first ideal through which chivalry lives on is courage. ... Many common courtesies have become part of etiquette codes that are formal rules of ideal behavior and good manners. ... The third ideal through which chivalry lives on is honor. ...
Georges Duby, in his work William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry, challenges this stereotypical fairytale presumption by examining the demands and intricacy of the knight's code of chivalry. This code, which played such an influential part in the choices made by the knights of old, still echoes in current customs. Completely immersed in the idea of chivalry from the earliest days of childhood, the demands of chivalry lived and breathed within each knight. ... The ethic of chivalry required equality and openness on the battlefield, but does society still emphasize this equality? ... ...
Sir Lancelot was also a pure knight and the father of Sir Galahad, however, Sir Lancelot had a sin, and sins with the code of chivalry was look down on. ... Even though the code of chivalry was followed by the modern knights in the past time of the early 1800s and 1700s, the code of chivalry can be applied to our society today. ... Within our nation America, especially in this time of war, everyone, importantly the army of our nation, are following a type of code of chivalry. ... It is extremely important for our army to follow this code of chivalry, it will help our nation survive and grow mo...
The author uses Camelot, the epitome of chivalric myth, to ground his story and thus to provide a backdrop for his questioning and probing of the meaning and purpose of the chivalric code. ... Camelot's chivalric code requires that the knight value the rules of the code above his own life. ... Though these two actions are, to the reader, very understandable human reactions, they are flagrant violations of the chivalric code. ... From the start, the Green Knight is an outsider to the Camelot chivalric code, one who not only challenges it, but mocks it as well. ... Gawain and the Court bot...
