Chivalry :: essays research papers

ChivalryWe personify in an age where the brutality and the vigilante equitableice of the knighterrant is no longer acceptable for people with positions of stature in society. objet dart courage and honor are still praised by society, one seldom finds a mantrue to his word regardless of cost. Chivalry towards ladies is sometimesmistakenly decried by those supporting equality for women. And Courtly love, inits ultramodern form, is frowned upon. Those who might have a keen sense of practicedice much have only indirect methods of fighting for the right -- legislation justcan never be as satisfying as clouting a knave over the head with the flat of ablade. It seems that justice in American society is often tempered by compromise,rather than a blacksmith. Skill at arms is more often attained as an exercise,rather than a useful tool, and strength of body, while glamorized, is degradedby large numbers of "men of the mind." Chivalry is a lot similar ethics it is agoverning princ iple concerning delightful play as far as medieval combat among yourpeers was concerned. Do not set on an unarmed knight - allow him to arm himselffirst, if you unhorse your enemy and your opponent is still able to fight, shell off your horse to fight, etc. - fair play with honor and respect. At the end,there still was a achiever, and the winner ended up with more respect andadmiration from those concerned that had he fought without chivalry. What am Igetting at? Capitalism can be much the same way. American businesses have takenadvantage of this corpse though, a system that one can cheat in and get awaywith, instead of being honorable and respectable institutions that childrencould look up to. So many things are like this that I just disturb my head andsigh when I think about them - is American just a scam? Where did all the honorand respect go? In "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," Gawain made a promise tothe huntsman to give him any(prenominal) gifts he sure that day in exchange forwhatever gifts the huntsman received that day. On the third and final day ofSir Gawains visit, he received a green girdle from the huntsmans wife, who washis secret lover. The only reason that he accepted it was because he, likeLancelot, had hero-worship in his heart only Gawains fear was dying. The huntsmanswife told Gawain that the girdle had magic powers and would protect him from hisfate, for the next day Gawain was passage to fulfill a promise that he had made to