Heroic Attempts at Perfection
Chivalry—The word, "chivalry", comes from the French word, "chevalerie", which means "skills to handle a horse." The ability to handle a horse, especially in combat, was of utmost importance to a medieval knight. As the Middle Ages progressed, the term "chivalry" began to take on new meanings.
It was around the time of the preaching of the first crusade (1095 AD) that the Christianization of knights began in earnest. With the crusades as a "holy war" the pope needed the support of the nobles and knights of Europe to help him with his agenda of ridding Jerusalem of Islam, and returning the "land of Christ" to Christian sovereignty. By bestowing the title of Christian warriors to the knights, the pope had begun the evolution of a code of conduct that all knights were supposed to follow.
The protection of the poor, women and children, and defense of the church were just some of the chivalry codes that a knight was supposed to always obey. In combat when nobles and knights were taken prisoner, their lives were spared and were often held for ransom in somewhat comfortable surroundings. This same code of conduct did not apply to non-knights (archers, peasants, foot-soldiers, etc.), who were often slaughtered after capture.
However well-intended this "chivalric code" was, it rarely affected most knights, who plundered, slaughtered, and looted often when given the chance. Our modern notion of knights is very much based in the ideas of chivalry, and it is the survival of medieval romantic writings that tend to show knights as the chivalrous ideal, that sways our view of medieval knighthood.
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Medieval Romances—In the late Medieval and Renaissance period, the important European literary trend was to write fantastic fictions in the mode of Romance. Exemplary work, such as the English Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory (c.1408–1471), recount the marvelous adventures of a chivalrous, heroic knight, often of super-human ability, who, abiding chivalry's strict codes of honor and demeanor, goes on a quest, and fights and defeats monsters and giants, thereby winning favor with a lady.
Medieval romance stories focus not upon love and sentiment, but upon adventure and the hero’s struggle to achieve perfection—as defined by the Code of Chivalry.
Characteristics of the Medieval Romance
Medieval romance narratives are tales of high adventure. Such adventures can be a religious crusade, a conquest for the knight's liege lord, or the rescue of a captive lady, or any combination.
1. Medieval romance narratives usually idealize the code of chivalry.
2. Medieval romance narratives idealize the hero-knight and his noble deeds.
3. One element of the medieval romance is the knight's love for his lady, courtly love.
4. The settings of medieval romances tend to be imaginary and vague.
5. A medieval romance narrative derives mystery and suspense from supernatural elements.
6. Medieval romance narratives use concealed or disguised identity.
7. Repetition of the mystical number “3” known as the “rule of three.”
Characteristics of the Hero-Knight
- Birth of a great hero is shrouded in mystery.
- He is reared away from his true home in ignorance of his real parents.
- For a time his true identity is unknown.
- After meeting an extraordinary challenge, he claims his right.
- His triumph benefits his nation or group.
Was there ever a real King Arthur?
Historians say yes, but not the one of the legends and stories. Back in the sixth century A. D., after the Romans vacated the British Isles because of their own troubles back home in Italy, Britain became an unstable mosaic of little kingdoms, each ruled by its own despotic king or chieftain.
Then, somewhere in the land, a strong chieftain appeared who managed to weld some of the little kingdoms together, repel the advances of Saxon invaders to the south, and make a larger kingdom called England.
There are some scholars who suggest that this chieftain or king was not a Briton but a Roman, Cassius Arturus. But no one knows for sure.
Whoever he was exactly, he was obviously the sort of leader around whom legends cluster. Through the years, and then through the centuries, people told each other stories about Arthur, giving him credit for all sorts of brave deeds, making him the focal figure of any exciting story of war or magic or romance, and changing the background details to make them contemporary and familiar.
About the beginning of the Middle Ages, in the 12th century, a man named Geoffrey on Monmouth wrote down what he called the history of Arthur. It was a hodgepodge of all the tales and legends that had grown up over the years around the name of Arthur.
In 1470, Sir Thomas Malory wrote out the whole Arthurian story once again, changing it, rearranging it, and adding bits and pieces from all the versions he had heard. He set the story in the early Middle Ages and he was the one who made Arthur the father of chivalry.
From King Arthur, His Knights, and Their Ladies By Johanna Johnston
Reading Selections--
- Sir Gawan and the Green Knight, by the Gawain Poet (page 209)
- Le Morte d’Arthur, by Sir Thomas Malory (page 225)
Film Study—King Arthur: His Life and Legends
1. Above all, what is this tale of King Arthur?
2. Do historians know for certain whether or not there was really a King Arthur?
3. Who was Merlin? Explain what he did.
4. Explain how King Arthur was chosen as King of England. How does this differ from the way American leaders are selected?
5. What is the name of his Court?
6. What are five specific characteristic of the chivalric code? (Look back on previous notes)
7. Explain the idea of Courtly Love8. What was Merlin’s prediction about Arthur marrying Guinevere?
9. What was considered the most important weapon of a knight? Explain.
10. Explain King Arthur’s two swords.
11. What was more important that Excalibur?
12. Who was Mordred? Who were his parents?
13. What was the round table? What does is symbolize?
14. Who was Lancelot? Whom did he love?
15. What vision did Lancelot have?
16. Explain the significance of the Holy Grail, what was it?
17. Who was Galahad?
18. What was the one thing that ONLY Galahad could do, and explain why.
19. Why did Galahad die so soon after seeing the Grail?
20. Who is known as the greatest Authurian writer?
21. What did Mordred do when Arthur left to pursue Lancelot?
22. How did Arthur die?
Study Questions—“Gawain and the Green Knight”
By Gawain the Poet
1. Imagery is an author's use of vivid and descriptive language which appeals to human senses and deepens the reader's understanding. Identify three examples of imagery for the Green Knight.
2. What has the Green Knight heard about the reputation of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table?
3. Symbolism is when a word, idea, or object represents something else. What is the Green Knight carrying with him, and explain the symbolism in the following passage: “You may be assured by this holly branch I bear / That I come to you in peace, not spoiling for battle” (Lines 47 and 48).
4. What is the Green Knight’s tone as he addresses King Arthur: “I assure you Sire, / You’ve nothing but beardless babes about this bench! If I were hasped in my armor and high on my horse, / You haven’t a man that could match me, your might is so feeble”(Lines 61-64).
5. What challenge does the Green Knight offer to King Arthur (Lines 67-82)?
6. What has the Green Knight done to make Arthur “distressed; / in chagrin, his blood shot up in his face and limbs / so fair; / more angry he was than the wind, /and likewise each man there; / and Arthur, bravest of men, / decided now to draw near” (Lines 99-101).
7. How does Gawain describe himself? In what way does his description of himself and his actions reflect the knight’s code of chivalry? (Lines 136-139)
8. Keeping in mind the characteristics of a Medieval romance narrative, which characteristic applies to this scenario: “He held his head by the hair, high, in his hand; / and the stranger sat there as steadily in his saddle / as a man entirely unharmed, although he was headless / on his steed” (lines 167-170).
9. Based on the context, for what does Gawain deserve to be requited? “Come to the Green Chapel, I charge you, and take / a stroke the same as you’ve given, for well you deserve / to be readily requited on New Year’s morn” (Lines 182-184) What do you think will happen to Gawain?
10. What agreement does Gawain make with the Lord of the Castle? Which code of chivalry does this agreement represent?
11. Why do you think Gawain finally accepts the green sash? Which chivalric code is he violating?
12. Outline the events that take place between Gawain and the Green knight on the appointed day:
Frist Strike:
Green Knight’s Actions/Words:
Gawain’s Actions/Words: / Second Strike:
Green Knight’s Actions/Words:
Gawain’s Actions/Words: / Third Strike:
Green Knight’s Actions/Words:
Gawain’s Actions/Words:
13. Keeping in mind the characteristics of a Medieval romance narrative, which characteristic applies to the Green Knight’s revelation in regards to his identity? What was the Green Knight’s Test?
14. According to the Green Knight, how has Gawain paid the price for his faults of cowardice, and forgetting the code of chivalry? (Lines 382-386)
15. Why do you think the Green Knight Gives Gawain the sash?
Study Questions—“Le Morte D’Arthur” By Sir Thomas Malory
1. Why has Lancelot been banished to France? Which code of chivalry has he violated? (Page 226)
2. Characterization is the way in which a writer develops a character’s personality based on his speech, thoughts, feelings, actions and the opinions of others. What does Sir Lancelot’s speech reveal about his personality: “My lords, I am reluctant to shed Christian blood in a war against my own liege… therefore I will next send a messenger to King Arthur and sue for peace, for peace is always preferable to war” (Malory 227).
3. What does the dialogue between King Arthur and Sir Gawain reveal about the personalities of both men? (Page 228)
4. Throughout the Arthurian legends, Gawain and Lancelot have been staunch allies. Describe the relationship between the two knights in this reading selection. Are they justified in their feelings towards each other? (Page 228)
5. What is Sir Gawain’s enchantment? How might this change our attitude towards him knowing this information? (Page 229)
6. What do the combat scenes involving Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain reveal about their personalities? Think about how they choose to fight, for what reason, and what they say to each other while fighting. (Page 229-230)
7. What does the title of the passage “the day of destiny” imply? Make a prediction about what will happen next. (Page 231)
8. What do Mordred’s actions reveal about his personality? What do Gwynevere’s actions reveal about her personality? (Page 231)
9. How does the narrator justify Mordred’s success in persuading “the barony to support him”? (Page 231)
10. How has Sir Gawain’s feelings towards Lancelot changed? What causes his change in attitude? (Page 232)
11. What three things does Gawain request in his letter to Lancelot? How does he know he will die at the hour of noon (Page 232)
12. Why the volunteers are convinced that Arthur’s cause is right. What events have lead the people to this conclusion? (Page 233)
13. What warning does Sir Gawain give during King Arthur’s dream? How does Arthur follow this warning? (Page 233)
14. Explain why King Arthur calls the day of battle a “fateful’ day? What has prompted the third and final battle? (Page 234)
15. Why does King Arthur insist on killing Mordred himself, despite Gawain’s warning? What will happen to England if Mordred lives? (Page 234
16. What has King Arthur asked Sir Bedivere to do? How doe Arthur know the deed has not been done? (Page 235)
17. In what ways is the death of King Arthur similar to the death of the Anglo-Saxon hero Beowulf?
18. Which character in the selection is most admirable, and which is the least admirable? Think about…
- The ways in which Lancelot show loyalty and disloyalty to the king
- Arthur’s willingness to forget his loyalty to Lancelot and follow Gawain’s advice
- Mordred’s seizure of the throne
- Gwynevere’s involvement with Lancelot
Code of Chivalry / During reading, list examples of when King Arthur or Sir Gawain follow the Code of Chivalry
“Gawain and the Green Knight” / “Le Morte d’Arthur”
1. To fear God and maintain His Church
2. To serve the liege lord in valor and faith (bravery and confidence)
3. To protect the weak and defenseless
4. To give aid to widows and orphans
5. To avoid unnecessary cruelness
6. To live by honor and for glory
7. To refuse any monetary reward
8. To fight for the welfare of all
“Gawain and the Green Knight” / “Le Morte d’Arthur”
9. To obey those placed in authority
10. To guard the honor of fellow knights
11. To avoid unfairness, meanness and deceit
12. To keep faith
13. At all times to speak the truth
14. To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
15. To respect the honor of women
16. Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
17. Never to turn thy back upon a foe.
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