The Representation of Chivalry Code in 'The Knight of The Cart'

There are many modern-day heroes. Those who we see as strong and brave. Those who protect us. However, where did these qualities aspire from. How do we judge if someone is noble. If someone is worth honoring. There are many attributes that contribute to this definition of what we call a hero, a knight is shining armor. Attributes that help determine if a knight will be a great knight or if he will be disgraced. A knighthood is an award given by the king. Which today is equivalent to different commands within our armed forces. These essential characteristics that we consider to be knightly are seen throughout the Arthurian medieval history and literature and are represented in Chretien de Troyes' Lancelot: The Knight of the Cart. Chretien de Troyes romances are some of the most well-known sources and most used sources of medieval history and literature today and helps us understand the meaning of what is meant to be a knight. Chretien is also the first to establish a knight as not only a courage and strong fighter but also as a lover who will go to greath length for love. Elements of loyalty, nobility, courage, honor, faith, and reason along with pure love and authentic chivalry help shape an admirable knight.

Chivalry was a big aspect in the Middle Ages and was portrayed in many Prose type books. Chivalry was “a combination of qualities expected of a knight like courage, honor, courtesy and justice.” The knights had a code which they had to go by. It required for them to be loyal not just to each other but other people too, to work hard, and to know the code of honor. Knights typically wore better than average clothing, riding on their horses wearing bridle and saddles made from gold. Often riding the best horses. They were considered elite soldiers in battles and crusades, expected to act honorable and act as officers of the local lord's court or that of the queen. The knights are skilled in arms and chivalry and courtly love.

Though there are many attributes of a good knight, there are some traits that can cause one to question the honorability of a knight as a part of chivalry code. A knight cannot lack the ability to reason with his decisions and must be wiling to act in a instant. When it comes to questioning loyalty and love, there must be a certain balance a knight can maintain. Knights must be able to reason this balance and stay loyal to the people and the king. The Knight of the Cart, however, shifts his honor and loyalty to the king in pursue of chivalric quests in order to be with Guinevere, the king's wife. Chretien unwillingly writes that this act is indeed very honorable although he has gone against the king. Which is far from honorable but rather chivalric.

When it comes to honor and courage, there should be no need to second guess oneself. Chretien states “in that case the greatest coward alive would pass through” meaning no knight should be scared to jump into action where and when he is needed and that even the weakest of knights would do what is right thing for honor and protection of himself and the people. If one is hesitant for even a few moments one can die. Hesitation is a major flaw that many knights should avoid. The Knight of the Cart, however, hesitates on more than one occasion. Once when he hesitates for two steps before jumping onto the cart in pursuit of the queen “But common sense, which is inconsistent with love’s dictates, bids him refrain from getting in”. the hesitation reveals that he is a natural knight, one who feels compelled towards the reputation and strength expected by loyalty to the king and another when the Knight is faced at the doors with the guards, where even here he is torn with reason between the right thing to do or continuing for love without saving the girl. “indeed, I am ashamed even to have to thought of holding back.”

Instead of portraying love as something that might require putting aside what some would consider traditional knightly virtues, Chretien was one of the first to show love to be something that adds to and enhances traditional knighthood and proves that knights are rather chivalric and genuine of other people, particularly women. Chivalry meant that a knight was loyal, courteous, protective, honorable and gentle. However, love here not only torments Lancelot, it specifically undermines two major attributes of knighthood: his physical strength and his use of arms because he is often lost in thought. Chrétien depicts the knights love as the cause for his emasculation, which is displayed when Lancelot almost commits suicide “he was minded to throw himself out and break his body” after seeing Guinevere held captive. Love eventually has the power to take away from knights what they intrinsically value most in knighthood. Chretien in turn introduced a positive shade of Love from the knightly perspective, during Lancelot's fight with Meleagant by the tower. The knight who was wounded by his crossing of the Sword Bridge was about to give up during the fight until he saw Guinevere. Once he does, he begins to fight behind his back, to not have to look away from her. Chrétien's skill comes from giving acknowledgment to the codes of chivalry while suggesting that they often work in direct counterpoint to one’s own personal desires.

The modern-day knight, or a soldier is like that of these knights before as expressed in Chretien’s The Knight of the Cart. The ideal Knight swears to defend his liege, and all those who rightfully depend upon him. Always defend your nation, your family, and those whom you know are worthy of your shield. They are Strong, courage, honorable, and chivalric. The Navy Seal Creed seems to follow the code of chivalry and knighthood. “A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life. I am that man. My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. . . . I will not fail.”