Is Chivalry Dead free essay sample

Chivalry is not dead, but perhaps slowly dying off; it has simply evolved and is evolving continuously as time and people do. In Medieval Period, chivalry was a system of ethical ideals lived by daily. The chief chivalric virtues were piety, honor, nobility, valor, courtesy, chastity, and loyalty, and protecting the weak (women). It is apparent in today’s society that the definition and application of chivalry has changed through history. During the middle Ages, chivalry was a code of brave and courteous conduct for knights. According to this system of morals and manners, a knight was to remain faithful to God, loyal to his king, true to his lady-love, and helpful to their less fortunate kinsmen. Chivalry is still alive today but to a lesser extent than in the Middle Ages as shown in the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Morte d’Arthur. Some aspects of chivalry from Arthurian legend still exist today. We will write a custom essay sample on Is Chivalry Dead or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain was the epitome of chivalry. He always followed the code of chivalry until he reneged on the agreement he had with the lord. When the Green Knight came and proposed the game to all the knights, King Arthur was the first to accept. Sir Gawain exhibits chivalry at first in the story when he implores to play the game proposed by the green knight so that King Arthur would not have to partake in it; this exemplifies: honor, loyalty, and valor. He said â€Å"I beseech, before all here, that this melee may be mine†, meaning he asked to risk his life so King Arthur wouldn’t have to. Later in the story he committed his only wrong act by not living up to the code of chivalry when he kept the girdle that he had received from the lady, which he was obligated to return to the lord by the rules of their game. He was so concerned with his own life that he kept the gift regardless of his duty thereby violating the chivalric ode of honor. Gawain has adhered to the code of chivalry since his birth and throughout this story. Sir Gawain adhered to the rules of the game with the lord for the majority of it; every gift he was given by the lady he gave to the lord aside from the one green girdle. In Morte d’Arthur, Sir Lucan was gravely injured and in need of assistance after the battle, but he was still making every last attempt to help out King Arthur. â€Å"Sir Lucan fell in a swoon that part of his guts fell out of his body, and therewith the noble knight’s heart burst†, Sir Lucan was there with King Arthur until his death held him back from further aiding his king. While the chivalry of the Middle Ages is thought by most to have been reserved for loyalty this was not the case. Commoners also exhibited chivalrous conduct, though in less glamorous ways, nonetheless, it was chivalry. People are willing to risk their lives every day for others just like in medieval period, proving chivalry is not completely dead. Chivalry has greatly diminished since the Middle Ages. Respect, courtesy, and honesty have little meaning to todays youth. Society has become more self-absorbed and self-centered, more or less with an itinerant person. Not all people are arrogant; there are still those who insist on putting others first, such as the immense number of people in the military fighting for their people. Chivalry doesn’t need to be displayed on such a grand scale, helping the elderly, less fortunate and feeble are just a few things people can do to amp chivalry; It is very improbable that people will be as chivalrous as the knights of the middle ages were, but it is essential that people turn to a better direction. Chivalry has evolved to meaning something different than it did before in the medieval period. Many values remain the same as you can see with organizations and associations such as the salvation army and charity events; people still see it important to help the weak and unfortunate certain aspects have been added and removed or faded such as piety, and nobility. Chivalry is indeed still alive, but it is dying as generations are losing morals and values and being more unappreciative of chivalric acts. Most people need recognition for even the smallest of good deeds. Our lifestyles have changed so drastically, and values have changed very much as well. As of now, the future of chivalry looks bleak. If society doesnt change its ways soon, the quality of life and chivalrous behavior will diminish even more than it already has and eventually cease to exist. The phrase, do to others as you would have them do to you, has been taught throughout the lives of most people and it simply states that even if there is no recognition and an act is left unappreciated, one should always remain chivalrous. Chivalry has always been an important aspect of life and has been instilled into the minds of people. Perhaps chivalry will live better in the future, but only time will tell.