Last year I studied the Arthurian Legend and it's evolution through history based on the social contexts of the times, and during the 12th century in France, chivalry was introduced within the Knights of the Round Table. The idea of 'chivalry' is so romanticised, because the whole code of conduct where there is honour and courtesy (courtesy being the main part of the question of whether it does exist still in the 21st century), it just sounds so lovely.
So is chivalry dead? The answer is: NO- it is still alive! It's just really rare sometimes, or it just goes unnoticed, but when someone does perform a chivalrous deed, it is such a surprise and you really appreciate it. For example, the other day I was waiting for my train to come and when it did arrive, this guy (who was also waiting on the platform) opened the carriage door and then stood back and smiled at me and gestured for me to go in first. And I was actually taken aback and was like "thank you" because it was such a nice thing for someone to do. He could've easily opened the door and ignored me while pushing to go in first and get a seat, but instead he actually made that bit of effort to look me in the eye and pretty much make my day. There are so many countless examples of random acts similar to this, like when someone opens the door for you, but one of the points I'd like to make is: should it really just be so rare for someone to act in a courteous way that it takes us by surprise? Or shouldn't it just be a given that someone to be a bit chivalrous?
However, there are so many people who are so kind and I am (as I'm sure everyone else is) so grateful for those lovely people. I have to admit, I'm incredible selfish, so I really admire and appreciate people who put others before themselves. Chivalry is certainly not dead, it's just different to what the traditional sense of the word implies: with a knight.
So is chivalry dead? The answer is: NO- it is still alive! It's just really rare sometimes, or it just goes unnoticed, but when someone does perform a chivalrous deed, it is such a surprise and you really appreciate it. For example, the other day I was waiting for my train to come and when it did arrive, this guy (who was also waiting on the platform) opened the carriage door and then stood back and smiled at me and gestured for me to go in first. And I was actually taken aback and was like "thank you" because it was such a nice thing for someone to do. He could've easily opened the door and ignored me while pushing to go in first and get a seat, but instead he actually made that bit of effort to look me in the eye and pretty much make my day. There are so many countless examples of random acts similar to this, like when someone opens the door for you, but one of the points I'd like to make is: should it really just be so rare for someone to act in a courteous way that it takes us by surprise? Or shouldn't it just be a given that someone to be a bit chivalrous?
However, there are so many people who are so kind and I am (as I'm sure everyone else is) so grateful for those lovely people. I have to admit, I'm incredible selfish, so I really admire and appreciate people who put others before themselves. Chivalry is certainly not dead, it's just different to what the traditional sense of the word implies: with a knight.
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| Arthur from 'The Adventures of Merlin' |
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