Chivalry During The Middle Ages

Chivalry
Chivalry is a term known worldwide for many centuries and can symbolize a different meaning for different individuals. During the middle ages chivalry was defined as the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, loyalty, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. Over time the way that chivalry is defined has evolved to the basic definition of courteous behavior especially that of a man to a woman. Chivalry’s first definition, which includes the qualities of the ideal knight, is often recognized as being dead today because of certain societal factors involving both women and men and their expectations.
In the Middle Ages chivalry defined the qualities of an ideal knight; however, today
chivalry defines the qualities expected of an ideal man. In many aspects an ideal knight and an ideal man are quite similar. An ideal knight was expected to show the qualities of courtesy, bravery, loyalty, courage, honor, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. Many women today would classify the qualities of an ideal knight as the same qualities that their ideal man should possess. Men should show bravery with women and honor them, as well as be loyal and be courteous towards women. Women are not classified as weak; however, men should always be strong and ready to assist women when they are in need. Although men today do not ride on horses in shining armor or get down on one knee and kiss the hands of women, they are still expected to share the same qualities and uphold a moral code like knights.
In many situations the saying that chivalry is dead has been used very often.
Many women often complain that men have turned away from chivalry and forgotten its importance. In 2015, witnessing men open the car door for women is very rare and may only occur on special occasions. As some eyes have witnessed men have changed their ways of respecting women. Instead of men speaking appropriately to women they call them rude names, and some men do not even think twice about raising their hand to physically abuse women. Also instead of some men showing loyalty towards women, they cheat on them and husbands even commit adultery. Women want to be treated the chivalrous way by men, such as getting covered by the men’s jackets when they are cold, but that does not always happen. The saying that chivalry is dead is a true statement due to the absent courteous behavior especially of that of a man to a
woman.
The numerous complaints from women about chivalry and how it is dead is often heard, but many have yet to recognize the causes of why chivalry has died.
Chivalry is no longer expected. What is demanded is given, and if women do not demand chivalry from men then it will not be given. Another factor that some women fail to realize is that some men may not have been taught chivalrous ways and they may not even know the meaning. Behavior is taught and creates a pattern, so if men were not taught chivalry and the men before them were not taught chivalry, then chivalrous actions will not be displayed. The most important factor women do not always consider is that fact that some women want to be independent and do not want a man to open their door or cover them with their jacket when it is cold. With the actions of women to be independent arising some men often stop their attempt at chivalrous ways, thus beginning the pattern of chivalry fading away from man to
man.
Chivalry has its own meaning to different people and many may not know that the definition first originated from the middle ages and is defined as the combinations of qualities expected of an ideal knight. Although the definition of chivalry has evolved, the underlying meaning still remains and classifies the ideal men from the ordinary men; however, the definition of the ideal man may differ among women. As stated, the qualities expected of knights are similar to the qualities that men should possess. These qualities in men today are recognized as being dead due to factors that are sometimes overlooked. Chivalry has evolved overtime, but it still upholds the same morals and principles that should never die.