Largesse Chivalry Essay

564 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: These qualities make a hero

Largesse

The idea of chivalry encompasses the virtues of truth, honor, courage, kindness, loyalty, and valor. Combining this and many other benevolent traits make the ideal knight. Being a knight means something more than just armor, weaponry, and a good horse. It is about a code. This code of a knight is what sets him apart from the rest of the world, defining him and the beliefs he alone stands for. A knight is bounded by honor and valor usually to his king, his country, and his god.

In a sense, a knight is the ideal man in all aspects, physically and mentally, and as part of his characteristics exists this thing called largesse. Largesse in simple terms is generosity, the liberality of giving. Now, this did not merely mean giving money to the poor or to the church. Largesse encompasses a larger spectrum, in a sense, that …show more content…

Included with this is the 10 commandments, particularly the IX commandment--thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone. For instance, in the Poem of the Cid, Rodrigo Diaz of Bivar is exiled by his King Alfonso. Along the Cid's journey, he conquers many places and acquires vast wealth. Not only does he give amply to his men but also to the King Alfonso who banishes him. The Cid places the needs of others above his own, being charitable to others and giving to those in need, including his enemy. "Those who joined him into exile have all grown rich. The renowned Campeador gave them all, in Valencia, houses and fiefs with which they are satisfied; they all have tasted of the Cid's generosity. Those who joined him later are content also." This clearly exemplifies the true nature of chivalry and what it is to be a knight. At last at the heart of largesse, one can hardly find the proper words to fully describe it but in Chretien de Troyes' romance Cliges, Troyes comes quite

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Wife Of Bath's Tale 'And Le Morte D' Arthur

    694 Words  | 2 Pages

    Life during the Middle Ages was full of social change, division, and classism. This feudal society of Britain was divided into three estates. (social classes) Within the second estate was the the knight who was a soldier for the king who fought in many battles. Even though the knight is expected to have the strength and the skills to fight in battle, all knights during the Medieval period additionally had a chivalrous aspect to them. Chivalry was the honor code of a knight which included bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women. Within the stories of the “Wife of Bath’s Tale” and “Le Morte d’Arthur”, the code of chivalry was broken by knights which show the corruption of England’s feudal society.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Heroism In The Film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

    933 Words  | 2 Pages

    Chivalry – characteristics of a knight or courageous warrior which include “courtesy, generosity, valor and dexterity” (Dictionary)

    Read More

  • The Knight's Loyalty In The Canterbury Tales

    489 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Knight’s leadership is one quality that Chaucer values. The Knight is a wise, noble, modest, and brave man. Chaucer recognizes this when he writes, “To ride abroad had followed chivalry, / Truth, honor, generousness and courtesy. / He has done nobly in his sovereign’s war / And ridden into battle, no man more, / As well in Christian as in heathen places, / And ever honored for his noble graces” (ll. 45-50). Chaucer speaks highly of the Knight because he was well liked and the everyone looked up to him.

    Read More

  • Chivalrous Code

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many forms of chivalrous code can be found today, from The Cowboy’s Code to the Rules of Courtly Love. These codes are stated with the hope that people will try and follow them to some degree; yet only the perfect could adhere to them all. Considering the fact that such perfection is impossible, the authors merely set out a guideline for honorable behavior. In the context of medieval times, a knight was expected to have faith in his beliefs; for faith was considered to give hope against the despair that human failings create.

    Read More

  • Triangle Shirtwaist Fire - Lasting Effects

    1605 Words  | 4 Pages

    McGuire, C. (2011, April). Workplace Safety 100 Years Ago. Safety Compliance Letter(2524), 1-6. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=60166397&site=ehost-live&scope=site

    Read More

  • Business Law and Repetitive Strain Injury

    2624 Words  | 6 Pages

    The health and safety of employees in the workplace is protected by legislation provided under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA) and its applicable regulations.

    Read More

  • Social Change

    1593 Words  | 4 Pages

    The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace. “Sport as a

    Read More

  • Code Of Chivalry In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    The code of Chivalry can be described as a brave, loyal, courteous, distinguished courage or ability that is admired for their brave and noble qualities. Chivalry is a system of ethical ideals that arose from feudalism and had its highest development in the 12th and 13th centenry.(Columbia ElectronicEncyclopedia).Respect is an essential part of chivalry. The code of chivalry is a set of rules followed by the knights during the middle ages. The evolution of heroic and chivalry code has changed over time beginning from the Middle ages to now. The three stories Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Lanval and Beowulf illustrate what it takes to be considered a chivalrous knight.

    Read More

  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; A Romance?

    1094 Words  | 3 Pages

    Closely associated to the romance tradition are two idealized standards of behavior, especially for knights: courage and chivalry. The protagonist within many medieval romances proved their worth by going on quests, as many a knights went in those times, thus returning with great tales of their travels and deeds. Many modern people think of chivalry as referring to a man's gallant treatment of women, and although that sense is derived from the medieval chivalric ideal, chivalry could be seen as more than that. Knights were expected to be brave, loyal, and honorable-sent to protect the weak, be noble to...

    Read More

  • The Importance of Social Class Exposed in The Canterbury Tales

    1142 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today’s society the differences in morals between the rich and the poorer classes are virtually non-existent, but during Medieval times “morals and, above all, the virtues at its center, played an important role not only for distinguishing between good and bad, but, more importantly, even for the structuring of society” (Virtus 1). The aristocracy class and the immoral poor class had morals but how they demonstrated them varied; the aristocratic class used chivalry as the basis of their morals, while the immoral poor class did not. Chivalry was not only a code of conduct for those who followed it; chivalry was a way of life. ‘Chivalry first arose in Europe during the Crusades. Chivalry dealt with loyalty honor, and service to women on and off the battle field’ (“The Medieval Period: 1066-1485” 76). The Knight in The Canterbury Tales is the perfect example of someone who follows the code of chivalry. Chaucer describes him with much admiration as “a most distinguishable man, who from the day on which he first began to ride abroad had followed chivalry, truth, honor generousness and courtesy” (Chaucer, "The Prologue." 117). While Chaucer praises the knight for ...

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Characters of The Canterbury Tales

    2545 Words  | 6 Pages

    One of Geoffrey's less believable main characters is the Knight, for reasons of chivalry. The knight displays many traits which make him seem almost too good to be true, and a true gentleman that rarely exists in reality. The narrator sums up the knights character by stating that "Though he were worthy, he was wys,/And of his port as meeke as is a mayde." (pg. 5, The Canterbury Tales) The knight holds four main admirable traits, making him the most liked traveler in "The Canterbury Tales," and also amplying the doubt of his realism. The reader is prepared to learn of each of his noble accomplishments and importance when the narrator remarks that" A knight ther was, and that a worthy man,/That fro the tyme that he first bigan/To ryden out, he loved chivalrye,/Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisye." (pg. 4, The Canterbury Tales) From the characters impressive introduction, it is clear that this man is the most valued and honorable traveler among the group. This perfect gentleman holds a love of ideals that are often not displayed by people. First and foremost, he believes in the ideals of chivalry, and always stays true to its principles. He also feels that one should be honest, truthful and faithful, which many people are not all of these ideals. The knight thinks one should only do what is right, and what will gain him honor and reputation. This character also believes in freedom and generosity towards all, and displays this ideal repeatedly throughout the novel. And lastly, the knight also strongly feels that any proper person should display courtesy and elegance at all times. Another aspect of this character's life which makes him seem too prestigious to be truthful is his impressive military career. He fought in the holy war, known as the Crusades and was involved in 15 "mortal battles." In the prologue, the narrator informs the reader that "Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,/And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,/As wel in Cristendom as hethenesse,/And ever honoured for his worthinesse.

    Read More

  • Chivalry Lesson in Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

    1589 Words  | 4 Pages

    In everybody's life, there is something that makes him or her strive for success. That something can be money, a significant other, fame or many other incentives. To the medieval knights, victory renown and glory are the ambitions they strive for. Breaking a law in this code would be considered a disgrace, and would bring a dishonor worse than death itself. However, by applying the Code of Chivalry, the knights in medieval time displayed certain character traits that would secure success and honor in both battle and morality. In the book Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott, a knight named Wilfred of Ivanhoe illustrates this by devoting his attention to keeping the rules of the Code of Chivalry, which consisted of love of adventure, integrity and loyalty to the king, to name just a few. These character traits of Ivanhoe coupled with strong characters and a realistic setting allow the reader to understand the importance of a strong set of moral guidelines to all individuals of all times in spite of Sir Scott's excessive detail and confusing subplot.

    Read More

  • Risk Management Framework Essay

    1318 Words  | 3 Pages

    A candidly of risk occurs in every organisation. Governance principals and the occupational health and safety urge that the organisations take reasonable measures to hinder loss, charge or rage to the organisational and all stakeholders/management. Injury and accidents can even happen ultimately with stringent OHS and the fact that an accident when occurs, does not mean that someone is liable if all responsible steps for prevention or minimisation has been taken.

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of The Perfect Knight In The Song Of Roland

    731 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the Song of Roland, ideal characteristics of a knight are identified mainly with having skill as a horseman and fighting on the battlefield. The idea of an armored knight is closely descended from the equites class of Rome. Knights were closely tied to the various fiefdoms and to the church. A knight was expected to have courage, honor, selflessness, respect, honesty, and many other characteristics of how a perfect knight was seen such as Roland, Oliver, and Thierry in the Song of Roland. Many knights were of course not perfect but in the Song of Roland Roland, Oliver, and Thierry are perfect knights because they have a strong devotion, and are respectful.

    Read More

  • Why Is Reality Tv A Waste Of Time.

    1249 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his famous work, Steve Johnson offers a critique of the notion that television is dumbing us down. Johnson tackled the subject in his article, Watching TV Makes You Smarter. Johnson himself writes,

    Read More

More about Largesse Chivalry Essay

Open Document