Chivalry In The Secret Sharer
The Secret Sharer Chivalry is the system of ethical ideals that arose from feudalism and had its highest development in the 12th and 13th centuries. Noble youths became pages in the castles of other nobles at the age of seven; at the age of fourteen they trained them as squires in the service of knights. They learned horsemanship, military techniques, and were knighted around the age of twenty-one. The chivalric virtues were piery, honor, valor, courtesy, chastity and loyalty; yet the loyalty was due to God, the temporal and spiritual master. They represented a fusion of Christianity and military concepts of morality, and are still in form for the basic gentlemen conduct today. The essence of chivalry in this world “can be compared to” instead of “is like”is like the evolution of the world, it changed as the world evolutionized. In The Secret Sharer, while all the crew members are at the round table for dinner, the Captain decides that he will take the night shift knowing that there is a chance of death. While keeping watch, he hears something on the ladder and decides to pull it up out of the water. What comes is shocking to the Captain, a naked and young white man man named Leggatt. “I got a sleeping suit out of my room and, coming back on deck, saw the naked man from the sea sitting on the main
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hatch, glimmering white in the darkness, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands” (Conrad 43). Leggatt makes it known to the Captain that he was the fellow First mate to the ship, Sephora. Stipped of his tittle after the Skipper convicted him of killing his fellow crewmate. Leggatt was kept captive for three weeks and finally abandoned the Sephora. He jumped into the cold water and took off his clothes that his former crew would think that he had drowned. The Captain let Leggatt stay in his bottom bunk of his room, he could bring him food, clothes, and talked to him more and more about his experiences.
After three days, the Skipper of the Sephora enters the ship and assumes that the Captain is hiding Leggatt. The Captain develops a thought that maybe Leggatt did not kill the crewmate, maybe the violent storm did. The Skipper thinks the Captain is crazy and returned back to the Sephora. “To mislead the Skipper, the Captain shows him the rest of his cabin and stateroom, announcing his intentions of do so, so that Leggatt will know to remain absolutely still” (Daniel Moran). Leggatt realizes that he can stay no longer and that he is a harm to the Captain. He tells the Captain he must proceed to the nearest island which then the Captain orders his crewmembers to draw near shore, even though they have a chance of crashing. The Captain says his last goodbye and wishes his luck; Leggatt jumps off the ship and returns to the island where he will live a new life.
The Captain uses what is called a doppelganger to create a theme which serves a purpose to highlight the qualities that the Captain lacks by showing their embodied doubles. Leggatt, being dressed in one of the Captain's sleeping suits,suggests their physical terms. “Conrad suggests their bond in many other ways as well: both men are young, both post importance that they acquired their connections, both are Conway boys, both are isolated from their respective crews, both save a ship during danger, and both eventually strike out from new destinies” (Summary Central). Each man also offers something to his double. The Captain offers Leggatt a place to hide and his eventual means of escape, while Leggatt forces the Captain, through his assistance in helping him at Koh-ring, a chance to prove his seamanship in the eyes of the crew. In the end, both the Captain and Leggatt share their life event with one another at the roundtable, showing they are one in unity with each other.
The roundtable was a shift of power from the King who normally sat at the head of the table and spoke so that everyone listened. The roundtable is symbolic of the fact that all the people seated at the table had equal weight and equal say in matters. “It was also democratic, but wasn't a true democracy; the King was still the King and only Knights were still Knights at the table” (Summary Central). This moves toward the belief that everyone is important and everyone is equally valuable.
In both The Secret Sharer and Le Morte d'Arthur you hear about the essence of the round table. Even though you have two different era’s and setting, they both stay similar to one another. “We were sitting around the roundtable that reflected the bottle, the claret glass and out faces as we leaned on our elbows” (Conrad ##). The Captain and his crewmember sit at the roundtable to discuss what they accomplished that day, they tell stories about their life, and who will be willing to take on challenges. The one who was willing to take on the challenge is the most heroic, courageous, honorable, and bold. In Le Morte d’Arthur, both Arthur and his men sit at the roundtable thinking this will be their last dinner there. Once they find out they have another challenge, one may want to abandon the mission. Yet those who have the most chivalry will fight through the pain no matter what may happen to them. Anyone who is willing to give up their life for someone else is a true Knight, nothing will ever stop them from doing right, “I will uphold justice by being fair to all, I will be faithful in love and loyalty in friendship, I will live my life with courtesy and honor from this day forward” (Allen et al. 60). A true Knight can uphold any circumstances that he is given, no matter what it is, they will obey in a life or death situation.
Every Knight is fighting for their right to live and their right to freedom once again. “Do or Die” (Conrad 10). The crewmembers of The Secret Sharer must fight for their right to live once they are overtaken by the waters in the Gulf of Siam. While Arthur and his Knights in Le Morte d’Arthur must accept and conquer one more request, once they have finished their orders, they will be released as a free man. “Once more, and again twisted gold, heaped-up ancient treasure, will reward you” (Allen et al. 56). All the Germanic warriors placed great importance on amazing treasures as a way of acquiring fame and temporarily defeating fate. Yet many of the warriors took drastic charges in order to get fame and defeat fate, not only did they have to conquer but show chivalry to every one they come into contact with. If the crewmember were willing to accept the challenge of delivering the cargo in the harmful weather, they would be acceptable to defeating fate. Fame is something that does not come overnight, you have to want it, acquire it, work for it, and strive for it. One way you can acquire fame is by taking control and leading a team into success. “Nothing! No one in the world should stand now between us, throwing a shadow on the way of silent knowledge and mute affection, the perfect communication of a seaman with his first command” (Summary Central). After Leggatt leaves, the Captain find himself in control of himself and his crew, feeling confident to command the ship. “As we stood leaning over my bed-place, leaning side by side, whispering side by side with our dark heads together and our backs to the door, anybody bold enough to open it stealthily would have been treated to the uncanny sight of a double Captain busy talking in whispers to his other self” (Novelguide.com). When talking about one of the many references in which Conrad writes of Leggatt as the Captain's double of his other self.
Leggatt and the Captain are one with each other, like Sir Lancelot and Arthur, just like Beowulf and his Warriors. While fate may bring them together, so may the faith of the lord. “Pilgrim’s progress symbolic characters more through a symbolic plot to arrive at the celsticicity eventually” (Daniel Moran). While on a journey, you must believe in Jesus, have faith that he will guide you on the right path and will not lead you into temptation. Faith, fate and chivalry go hand in hand, if you have one you you must have the other. Leggett and Beowulf are two totally different people but when it come to chivalry, they are twins. “As two spent swimmers that do cling together and choke their art” (Conrad 65). Leggatt finds himself stranded in the Gulf of Siam, fighting the Gulf with nothing but his strength and power. One on one is what Beowulf showed, “Behind some broad linden shield, my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life” (Allen et al. 48). Beowulf insists on fighting Grendel with anything that he might not have, lowering himself to his level. Knowing that he can lose everything even his life, yet he still chooses to fight without any weapons. Proving his chivalry was more honorable than any other because he did that three times. Three battle’s Beowulf fought; three day’s of hunting, resting, and ax swings Sir Gawain took. “Towed back three times in three months” (Conrad 22). The essence of three is symbolic to to the Catholic Church connecting to chivalry into the world today. It took Jesus three days to rise, Beowulf’s three battle’s of courage, and today three war’s to help counties win independence. “An allegory is a work of art in which characters and events take on metaphorical or symbolic meaning that are deliberately cultivated by the artist” (Daniel Moran). Not only can an allegory help you relate to other stories, it can relate to historical events, causing a change in thought and mind. Jesus saved our lives.
Like Sir Gawain saved The Green Knights, like the Captain saved Leggatts. “With a gasp I was revealed to the stare a pair of feet, the long legs a broad livid back immersed right up to the neck in a greenish cadaverous glow” (Summary Central). The greenish cadaverous glow symbolizes life, if the Captain would not have seen the glow, would he have ever saved his life? Just like Sir Gawain saved The Green Knights life because if The Green Knight would have never taken the green sash for good luck he never would have had the nick of the ax. Sir Gawain and The Green Knight can be explained as man vs. man, one may fight against the other to
win. While one man will fight another man, they can fight nature as another aspect. “They very ports they blow, all the quarters that they know I, the shipman’s card, I’ll drain him dry as hay sleep shall neither night nor day” (Allen et al. 354.) The powers of the wind may blow, yet the strength of the man shall fight against it with power and courage. The Captain fights with the wind and the water as he is trying to keep his crew safe and sound. Wanting to win the battle while knowing it will take much strength and honor.in all of your citations you have the period on the inside of the parentese, it should be outside.
hatch, glimmering white in the darkness, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands” (Conrad 43). Leggatt makes it known to the Captain that he was the fellow First mate to the ship, Sephora. Stipped of his tittle after the Skipper convicted him of killing his fellow crewmate. Leggatt was kept captive for three weeks and finally abandoned the Sephora. He jumped into the cold water and took off his clothes that his former crew would think that he had drowned. The Captain let Leggatt stay in his bottom bunk of his room, he could bring him food, clothes, and talked to him more and more about his experiences.
After three days, the Skipper of the Sephora enters the ship and assumes that the Captain is hiding Leggatt. The Captain develops a thought that maybe Leggatt did not kill the crewmate, maybe the violent storm did. The Skipper thinks the Captain is crazy and returned back to the Sephora. “To mislead the Skipper, the Captain shows him the rest of his cabin and stateroom, announcing his intentions of do so, so that Leggatt will know to remain absolutely still” (Daniel Moran). Leggatt realizes that he can stay no longer and that he is a harm to the Captain. He tells the Captain he must proceed to the nearest island which then the Captain orders his crewmembers to draw near shore, even though they have a chance of crashing. The Captain says his last goodbye and wishes his luck; Leggatt jumps off the ship and returns to the island where he will live a new life.
The Captain uses what is called a doppelganger to create a theme which serves a purpose to highlight the qualities that the Captain lacks by showing their embodied doubles. Leggatt, being dressed in one of the Captain's sleeping suits,suggests their physical terms. “Conrad suggests their bond in many other ways as well: both men are young, both post importance that they acquired their connections, both are Conway boys, both are isolated from their respective crews, both save a ship during danger, and both eventually strike out from new destinies” (Summary Central). Each man also offers something to his double. The Captain offers Leggatt a place to hide and his eventual means of escape, while Leggatt forces the Captain, through his assistance in helping him at Koh-ring, a chance to prove his seamanship in the eyes of the crew. In the end, both the Captain and Leggatt share their life event with one another at the roundtable, showing they are one in unity with each other.
The roundtable was a shift of power from the King who normally sat at the head of the table and spoke so that everyone listened. The roundtable is symbolic of the fact that all the people seated at the table had equal weight and equal say in matters. “It was also democratic, but wasn't a true democracy; the King was still the King and only Knights were still Knights at the table” (Summary Central). This moves toward the belief that everyone is important and everyone is equally valuable.
In both The Secret Sharer and Le Morte d'Arthur you hear about the essence of the round table. Even though you have two different era’s and setting, they both stay similar to one another. “We were sitting around the roundtable that reflected the bottle, the claret glass and out faces as we leaned on our elbows” (Conrad ##). The Captain and his crewmember sit at the roundtable to discuss what they accomplished that day, they tell stories about their life, and who will be willing to take on challenges. The one who was willing to take on the challenge is the most heroic, courageous, honorable, and bold. In Le Morte d’Arthur, both Arthur and his men sit at the roundtable thinking this will be their last dinner there. Once they find out they have another challenge, one may want to abandon the mission. Yet those who have the most chivalry will fight through the pain no matter what may happen to them. Anyone who is willing to give up their life for someone else is a true Knight, nothing will ever stop them from doing right, “I will uphold justice by being fair to all, I will be faithful in love and loyalty in friendship, I will live my life with courtesy and honor from this day forward” (Allen et al. 60). A true Knight can uphold any circumstances that he is given, no matter what it is, they will obey in a life or death situation.
Every Knight is fighting for their right to live and their right to freedom once again. “Do or Die” (Conrad 10). The crewmembers of The Secret Sharer must fight for their right to live once they are overtaken by the waters in the Gulf of Siam. While Arthur and his Knights in Le Morte d’Arthur must accept and conquer one more request, once they have finished their orders, they will be released as a free man. “Once more, and again twisted gold, heaped-up ancient treasure, will reward you” (Allen et al. 56). All the Germanic warriors placed great importance on amazing treasures as a way of acquiring fame and temporarily defeating fate. Yet many of the warriors took drastic charges in order to get fame and defeat fate, not only did they have to conquer but show chivalry to every one they come into contact with. If the crewmember were willing to accept the challenge of delivering the cargo in the harmful weather, they would be acceptable to defeating fate. Fame is something that does not come overnight, you have to want it, acquire it, work for it, and strive for it. One way you can acquire fame is by taking control and leading a team into success. “Nothing! No one in the world should stand now between us, throwing a shadow on the way of silent knowledge and mute affection, the perfect communication of a seaman with his first command” (Summary Central). After Leggatt leaves, the Captain find himself in control of himself and his crew, feeling confident to command the ship. “As we stood leaning over my bed-place, leaning side by side, whispering side by side with our dark heads together and our backs to the door, anybody bold enough to open it stealthily would have been treated to the uncanny sight of a double Captain busy talking in whispers to his other self” (Novelguide.com). When talking about one of the many references in which Conrad writes of Leggatt as the Captain's double of his other self.
Leggatt and the Captain are one with each other, like Sir Lancelot and Arthur, just like Beowulf and his Warriors. While fate may bring them together, so may the faith of the lord. “Pilgrim’s progress symbolic characters more through a symbolic plot to arrive at the celsticicity eventually” (Daniel Moran). While on a journey, you must believe in Jesus, have faith that he will guide you on the right path and will not lead you into temptation. Faith, fate and chivalry go hand in hand, if you have one you you must have the other. Leggett and Beowulf are two totally different people but when it come to chivalry, they are twins. “As two spent swimmers that do cling together and choke their art” (Conrad 65). Leggatt finds himself stranded in the Gulf of Siam, fighting the Gulf with nothing but his strength and power. One on one is what Beowulf showed, “Behind some broad linden shield, my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life” (Allen et al. 48). Beowulf insists on fighting Grendel with anything that he might not have, lowering himself to his level. Knowing that he can lose everything even his life, yet he still chooses to fight without any weapons. Proving his chivalry was more honorable than any other because he did that three times. Three battle’s Beowulf fought; three day’s of hunting, resting, and ax swings Sir Gawain took. “Towed back three times in three months” (Conrad 22). The essence of three is symbolic to to the Catholic Church connecting to chivalry into the world today. It took Jesus three days to rise, Beowulf’s three battle’s of courage, and today three war’s to help counties win independence. “An allegory is a work of art in which characters and events take on metaphorical or symbolic meaning that are deliberately cultivated by the artist” (Daniel Moran). Not only can an allegory help you relate to other stories, it can relate to historical events, causing a change in thought and mind. Jesus saved our lives.
Like Sir Gawain saved The Green Knights, like the Captain saved Leggatts. “With a gasp I was revealed to the stare a pair of feet, the long legs a broad livid back immersed right up to the neck in a greenish cadaverous glow” (Summary Central). The greenish cadaverous glow symbolizes life, if the Captain would not have seen the glow, would he have ever saved his life? Just like Sir Gawain saved The Green Knights life because if The Green Knight would have never taken the green sash for good luck he never would have had the nick of the ax. Sir Gawain and The Green Knight can be explained as man vs. man, one may fight against the other to
win. While one man will fight another man, they can fight nature as another aspect. “They very ports they blow, all the quarters that they know I, the shipman’s card, I’ll drain him dry as hay sleep shall neither night nor day” (Allen et al. 354.) The powers of the wind may blow, yet the strength of the man shall fight against it with power and courage. The Captain fights with the wind and the water as he is trying to keep his crew safe and sound. Wanting to win the battle while knowing it will take much strength and honor.in all of your citations you have the period on the inside of the parentese, it should be outside.