Sean Dwyer

Sean Dwyer Mrs.
Smith Honors Freshman English 7 January 2014 Chivalry Chivalry is the medieval knights common code of honor in the middle ages and entails showing devotion to Christian faith, loving your country, acting generously, protecting women and the poor, and championing against injustice. Chivalry is also a common motif in stories about King Arthur and his knights of the round table such examples of these are The Crowning of Arthur and Sir Launcelot du Lake written by Sir Thomas Malory and Arthur Becomes King by T.H. White. The main characters in these stories are shining examples of this code of ethics. In these tales the authors use motif Chivalry to show that those in a position of power should be faithful, just, and true to the needs of their country. In The Crowning of Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory chivalry was presented in Sir Ector. Sir Ector was chivalrous because he gave up his son to raise the character Arthur after Merlin spoke with King Uther Arthurs father about Arthurs raising and they thought that Sir Ector would be a suitable guide because of his faithfulness to his country and his positive character (Malory, The Crowning of Arthur, 1068) .This act was chivalrous because he loved his country so much he gave up his son to ensure the good of all. This connects to the theme because Sir Ector loved his country and he raised Arthur to be the best ruler in the future he could be for the country. In Arthur Becomes King by T.H. White chivalry was shown in Arthur. Arthur was chivalrous because of actions at the end of the story when he asks Merlin about the battle ahead
and asks Merlin the question Why cannot power be used persuade to be for good than conquer them (T.H. White, 761).This is chivalrous is because he is devoted to his faith in Christianity and uses Christian values by peacefully trying to change the citizens that oppose him. This connects to the theme because he is in a position of power and is devoted to his faith. In Sir Launcelot du Lake by Sir Thomas Malory chivalry is shown in Sir Launcelot du Lake. Sir Launcelot showed chivalry by remaining faithful to Queen Gwynevere by not becoming a lover of a witch who he was captured by.This was chivalrous because he displayed a good devotion to Christianity by not committing adultery against his lover Queen Gwynevere. Chivalry was shown again Sir Launcelot after he refused the witches he was given a choice by Morgan le Fay either stay as their captive or go and serve under King Bagdemagus and kill the evil Sir Tarquine (Malory,Sir Launcelot du Lake,1075) he choose to serve under King Bagdemagus and kill Sir Tarquine. This chivalrous because he chose to conquer evil and in the end save and protect his companions. This connects to them because Sir Launcelot was doing the just thing by defeating Sir Tarquine and because he refused the witches and showed a strong devotion to his faith. Throughout the Arthurian Legends The Crowning of Arthur, Arthur Becomes King, and Sir Launcelot du Lake characters who have been in a position of power have been just, loved their country, and been devoted to their faith through the powers of Chivalry. The motif good versus evil and romance also support the theme because they are closely linked to chivalry such as good versus evil is part of chivalry and romance is the driving force for love of ones country and devotion to one's faith. These motifs have had a lasting effect on literature today one example is the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. In the Hunger Games the character
Katniss Everdeen exemplifies chivalry when she protects her young sister from getting chosen to participate in the hunger games by tributing herself.
Works Cited Malory, Sir Thomas. The Crowning of Arthur. Literature. Ed. Applebee, Arthur et. al. NY, New York: McDougal Littell, 2006. 1065-1071. Print. Malory, Sir Thomas. Sir Launcelot du Lake. Literature. Ed. Applebee, Arthur et. al. NY, New York: McDougal Littell, 2006. 1073-1079. Print. White, T.H.. "Arthur Becomes King." Adventures in Appreciation. Ed. McDermott, Caryn et. al. NY, New York: Holt Rinehart, and Winston, 1996. 753-762. Print.

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