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.