A Knight’s Code
“An Analysis of the Main Idea of Chivalry and how it Applies to the Knight’s Code” Chivalry is a knight’s code of honor, or the way they try to live as soldiers. According to dictionary.com chivalry is defined as the medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code. In previous texts we have read, such as, Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales, we have seen an example of chivalry. In the texts, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Marie Borroff and Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, chivalry is a major theme throughout both of the stories; chivalry is demonstrated in these texts by honor, strength, and being a gentleman. Honor, truth, honesty, and respect are all illustrations of chivalry verified in the Green Knight and Morte d’Arthur texts. “And the knights in that castle shouted with pleasure, Proud…show more content… “I am the weakest [of your knight], I know, and the dullest-minded, so my death would be the least loss, if truth should be told; only because you are my uncle am I to be praised, no virtue I know in myself but your blood,” quoted from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. This quote indicates not only Sir Gawain’s physical strength but also his strength to overcome his fears. In Morte d’Arthur, Syre Ulfius quotes, "I shall seek Merlin and he shall do you remedy, that your heart shall be pleased.” This quote implies that Syre is ready to fight, showing physical strength.
Being a gentleman is the biggest part of chivalry. Sir Gawain does not practice being a gentleman because he commits adultery with the Green Knight’s wife. This could cause him to be put to death in some cities. In Morte d’Arthur, Arthur demonstrates being a gentleman by marrying the girl he said he would. He does however break the chivalry code by sleeping with another woman. According to the code of the knight’s being a gentleman is how you can show honor, truth, respect, and