The Virtue In The Wife Of Bath's Tale

Chivalry should not die for it is the code of conduct between people that shows respect and generosity. Chivalry has been a code in man and followed and respected for many centuries. The largest and most known appearance of chivalry, durning the Medieval era, this code guided the knights and noble people. The Knights followed this code with seven virtues they held in thought during there actions. This code was also played through many works of medieval romance in the era. These works show why chivalry should not die.

One of the seven virtues of chivalry is generosity. What is the significance of generosity? Without generosity how would people act? The Canterbury Tales displays life without generosity through the church. The author displays his dislike and the dishonesty of the church through the characters he makes. The Wife of Bath's tale is about a knight who wrongs women, he later shows his chivalry and generosity towards the end when he learns his lesson. "At last he said with all the care in life, my lady and my love, my
dearest wife. I love the matter to your wise decision, you make the choice yourself." This is a quote of the knight, in the Wife of Bath's Tale shows a lesson of chivalry known and is rewarded for it. Mercy, an act of holding back wrath and sparing ones life.
Mercy for another shows respect but also a control of ones action, it is the grace and power to have that could end a life but choses not to do it is immoral. In the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain is challenged and fails. The green knight has the opportunity to kill Sir Gawain for his dishonesty but instead choses to show his mercy and nicks his neck. "He gathered up the grim ax and guided it well. He hammered down hard, yet harmed him no whit. Save a scratch on each side, that severed the skin." Yet without this mercy what happens is illustrated in the list of one over powering knight. This takes place in the beginning of the Wife of Bath's Tale when the knight rapes a young maiden. "He saw a maiden walking all forlorn, ahead of him alone as she was born. And of that maiden, spite all she said. By very force he took her
maidenhead."

Respect is of something we all need for each other, for it determines how we act and who we are. Without respect we would all fall to evil and persuasive actions of dishonesty and harm. In these story's there are exemplums of chivalry and honor and respect. The respect towards women. "The knight thought long, and with a piteous groan, at last he said, whatever pleases you suffices me." He shows his respect for women and there choice not his and he is rewarded for his right. Sir Gawain learns to respect and keep his honor in his promise to give the gifts of the three days. He fails to do so but keeps his life so he would learn his lesson. "True men pay what they owe, no danger then in sight. You failed at the third throw, so take my tap, sir knight."

Feminist and many people with other views, disagree with chivalry, believing it is an act of belittling rather than respect and generosity. But chivalry is merely a code of relation between all people and is the action we should take when we are around these people and persons behavior. Chivalry should not die for without it and the morals it teaches there would be disorder and chaos.