There are many ways in which Chivalry is still present in our society today. Many Chivalrous functions are performed without a second thought. Men opening doors for women, for example, or a man offering up the last seat so that a woman can sit down. These functions are considered standard in today s society. It is a sign of respect for a woman as well as a sign of a courteous man. These are some of the ethics of Chivalry. Many of the ways that people act at the start of a love relationship are derived from Chivalry. The idea that a woman must be wooed by her potential mate and that is a mans job to fight for her virtue, or that it is a mans duty to stand between his woman and danger has been carried down through society from the Middle Ages. Chivalry is also apparent in the way a woman will respond to a mans advances, acting somewhat shy and withdrawn. A woman is always supposed to be submissive to her man. At the time Chivalry was present a woman could never outwardly express her desires for a man. Women are still taught that wanting of the flesh is only for men to succumb to. When a woman yields to her desires she is wrong and punished. Today s punishment however is not quite as harsh as it was in medieval times. Instead of being put to death, women are merely shamed by society. You will also find traces of Chivalry in todays marriages. A man will give all household responsibilities to his wife: checkbook/finances, cooking, raising children, etc., and still claim to be the head of his household.
In today s society however, there is much controversy over the act of Chivalry. Since the actual time of Chivalry and Courtly Love we expierenced a movement called Women s Liberation. During this time it was established that the rights of women are to be equal to that of men. There are people who will argue that because of this movement Chivalry is dead or no longer needed. Chivalry employs some of the tactics that were defeated by Women s Lib., such as mens superiority over women. Some even say that the tables should be turned, expecting women to do the same things for men as men do for women, i.e., open doors, actively pursue men, give up the last seat for a man, and soon. For the most part, Chivalry can still be seen on a daily basis and has become part of our culture. In many other countries this type of behavior is unheard of and we are considered strange for it. Women are not treated with any kind of respect nor do they have any rights. For example, in some middle-eastern countries it is still required that women walk behind the men and avoid all eye contact with men. Because of Chivalry this behavior is considered strange to us.Due to the fact that Chivalry has become so embedded in our culture and society, traces of it will remain until the ends of time.
Works Cited
Barber, Richard. The Knight and Chivalry
New York: Charles Scribner s Sons 1970
National Geographic Society. The Age of Chivalry.
Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society 1969
Gautier, Leon. Chivalry
London: A Phoenix House publication 1965
Online posting. Encyclopedia Americana
http://www.ea.grolier.com, Jan.1998
James Marshall. Chivalry
http://www.astro.umd.edu, Jan.1999
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