Chivalrous Code
Chivalry began in the 12th century in the form of a knightly code of
conduct,
with special emphasis on courtly manners toward women. Thirteenth
century
stories that showed the ways a warrior should behave in romance
became popular.
Churchmen liked the idea of high standards and made the
knighting ceremony a
religious occasion with a church vigil and purifying
bath. Books on the subject
soon began to appear. Many forms of chivalrous
code can be found today, from The
Cowboy’s Code to the Rules of Courtly
Love. These codes are stated with the
hope that people will try and follow
them to some degree; yet only the perfect
could adhere to them all.
Considering the fact that such perfection is
impossible, the authors merely
set out a guideline for honorable behavior. In
the context of medieval times,
a knight was expected to have faith in his
beliefs; for faith was considered
to give hope against the despair 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 19th code of chivalry, one must
‘Destroy evil in
all of its monstrous forms,’ and also ‘Exhibit courage in
word and deed.’
Beowulf proclaimed 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
story of the Green Knight is seeped with instances of chivalry, and
honorable
men. "Always keep one’s 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 been spoken with the Green Knight.
Although he
was distracted 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
valiant 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 caitiff’s deed
to attack one who cannot defend
himself." This directly follows the code that
one must "never use a weapon on
an opponent not equal to the attack." Don
Quixote also attempts to
‘protect the innocent,’ ‘avenge the wronged,’
and ‘defend the weak and
innocent.’ Unfortunately, he fails miserably in
aiding the poor boy; as he
assumes that the man will keep his word in ceasing
the horrid beating.
Falstaff of Henry IV shows more concern for others opinions
than his own
actual purity and honor, which is in direct contrast to Don
Quixote.
Falstaff tells the prince, in scene II, that he wants to be spoken of
a
well-behaved man, which belies his actual character in the play. Falstaff
is
said to be alternately a rake, a swashbuckling good fellow, a ladies man,
and a
pious innocent ruined by bad company. Not only is he failing to ‘live
one’s
life so that it is worthy of respect and honor,’ but he is clearly
lacking
‘loyalty . . . to the code of chivalry." Last, but not least, I chose
to
look to Chaucer for hints of chivalric values. Not only do the
‘gentlemen’
during the telling of the Wife of Baths Tale choose to ignore the
credence to
‘Respect women,’ the woman herself does not inspire the need to
respect,
defend, or otherwise follow codes of chivalry and courtly love. Her
prologue is
a lusty tale, that leads into a tale of equal trickery and of
marital sorrows.
The knight in that particular tale can be applauded for
upholding his word with
the witch; yet, any applause given would have to be
soft after reading of his
former misdeeds. All in all, we were presented with
many deeds, and misdeeds, of
chivalry and honor. Lust, baudiness, and the
will to have a little fun were all
tempered with underlying wishes for
respect, honor, and valor. Each character
fit into his or her own particular
scale of principles, lending entertainment
and examples for all who are brave
enough to read about them. Should you succeed
in even a tiny measure then you
will be well remembered for your quality and
virtue.