Chivalry in the Middle Ages

613 Words3 Pages
When most people think of the word “chivalry”, certain cliché images and thoughts come to mind. Some people think of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Some associate chivalry with opening doors for ladies and pulling out chairs at the dinner table. However, chivalry can come in many forms and many shapes and sizes. Acts of chivalry can be committed for God or for yourself, for your lover or for your friends. Chivalry, in one form or another, is portrayed in many classic stories from the middle ages. In the Canto V of “The Devine Comedy”, Dante and Virgil approach Minos, who is the overseer of the second circle of hell and the sole being who casts judgment on the damned souls by the amount of times he can wrap his tail around himself. On page 1479 (Norton) Minos said unto Dante, “O you who come to the place where pain is host, be careful how you enter and whom you trust. It’s easy to get in but, don’t be fooled.” In direct retort, Virgil shows chivalry in the form of valor by saying unto Minos, “Why keep on shouting? Do not attempt to stop his (Dante) fated journey; it is so willed there where the power is for what is willed, that’s all you need to know.” The story of Joseph, from the”Koran”, illustrates many acts of chivalry. A strong example takes account on page 1169 (Norton) when the Egyptian’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph. The Egyptian took Joseph in as his own when he was just a boy. Joseph denied her and stayed true to the man that adopted him. Joseph showed chivalry in the form of fair play, by exhibiting self discipline, and honor, by maintaining his principles and not betraying the confidence of his adopted father. Joseph said unto the seductress, “My lord has treated me with kindness. Wrongdoers shall never prosper.” Another strong example of chivalry takes place on page 1170 (Norton). Joseph is
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