![]() ![]() To eschew unfairness, meanness, and deceit.To refrain from the wanton giving of offense. ![]() To serve the liege lord in valor and faith.Here are 17 entries as listed in the SCASD Education Foundation: The 11th-century French epic poem “Song of Roland,” describes this code. While a code of chivalry may sound like an outdated concept in these modern times, some ideas can still apply. This code of etiquette and conduct kept them in check. Brutish and violent, knights in those days were considered “hired thugs” according to studies by Texas A&M University. In the Middle Ages, the chivalry code was set up to keep medieval knights under control. Therefore, the cited above quote represents clearly the beliefs the medieval knights held, namely considering God as the prior and the most important creature of all.Believe it or not, the early concept of chivalry had nothing to do with male behavior concerning women. The actual century presupposed this poem to be so important for Christianity. The entire poem constantly draws parallel lines with the Old Testament. “HONY SOYT QUI MAL PENCE ” (Tolkien, Part 4, Inscription). This sign of bad faith is the mark of my sin: I’ll wear it on my waist as long as I live….’ (Tolkien,Part 4, lines 2505-2511) Even after the failure the protagonist was able to show his readiness to atone his weakness by public disgrace. I am sure here it is explicitly shown how Sir Gawain gained trust by refusing a love affair with the wife of the Green Knight.īeing a medieval knight meant strictly following the chivalry codes, namely saving the self-respect and honor: ‘My lord,’ said Gawain, lifting the belt, ‘This band and the nick on my neck are one and the same, the blame and the loss I suffered for the cowardice, the greed, that came to my soul. An honest man need never fear.’ (Weston, 34). So all you got, for that, was a puff of air. Except that you kissed my wife: I swung for that reason – but you gave me back her kisses. You kept it faithfully, performed like an honest: ‘Man, gave me everything you got. And this much is plain: my head, if it falls, won’t talk in my hands.’ (Tolkien, Part 4, lines 2270-2283).Īnother virtue of chivalry is being completely honest. ![]() ‘I flinched,’ said Gawain, ‘I won’t again. ![]() But, still, he came to the meeting and fulfilled his duty. Of course, lying under the ax it is hard not to flinch, so did Sir Gawain. It is hard to talk about fear at this point because every man has a right to a mistake. The third quotation will be about the courage that a man held inside. ‘God willing,’ he thought, ‘it will not happen!’ (Tolkien, Part 3, lines 1760-1776). To offend like a boor was bad enough to fall into sin would be worse, betraying the lord of the house. The following quotation expresses it all: ‘That beautiful princess pressed him so hard, urged him so near the limit, he needed either to take her love or boorishly turn her away. The Lady Burdilac was trying to ‘play’ with him, but the temptation of adultery was successfully denied by Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain also struggles to find a balance between religious chastity and courtly love. And I am the slightest, the dullest of them all My life the least, my death no loss – My only worth is you, my royal Uncle, all my virtue is through you.’ (Tolkien, Part 1, lines 351-358). ‘…think of your bold knights, Bursting to fight, as ready and willing As men can be: defer to their needs. This is also a true devotion to the king. So, among many compelling scenes of the poem is the New Year’s Eve scene when the Green Knight offers a bargain to Sir Gawain and as a result, he agrees to it. ![]()
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