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Essay / The Morals of the Middle Ages - 717
The Morals of the Middle AgesThe Middle Ages were full of kings and queens, princes and princesses. Those who protected them were the knights. They were expected to ride with “chivalry, confidence, honor, generosity and courtesy.” (Chaucer, “General Prologue” 142). Most medieval knights always respected their moral code; however, some did not. Which brings us to the next question: “Were all medieval knights moral?” » Geoffrey Chaucer's Three Knights, The Canterbury Tales and 'Sir Gawain the Green Knight' possess both immoral and moral characteristics. The knight in “The Wife of Bath's Tale” was the most immoral of the three knights. The knight broke his moral code when: “He took her virginity by force. » (Chaucer, “The Tale of the Wife of Bath” 182). This confirms that he did not ride with chivalry, generosity or courtesy. Knights are supposed to protect women and respect them; he decided to take advantage of a vulnerable young girl. This act considered punishable by death shows that he lacks morality and believes he can commit any act (immoral or moral) he desires. The knight's immorality is also illustrated when he protests and complains, trying to find his way out of his word of honor to an old woman. “Old lady, by the Lord, I know that this is my [promise], but for God's sake think of a new request…” (Chaucer, “The Wife of Bath's Tale” 187). This action personifies how selfish the knight is, he only made a promise to save his own life, never intending to keep his word. Unlike this knight, Sir Gawain, a knight from "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", exhibits a handful of moral and immoral characteristics. Sir Gawain possesses both immoral and moral qualities. He first presents his immoral n...... middle of paper ......ain a moral code all day long, until they die. No matter what, you always carry this moral code with you. Immoral tendencies are present in all of us, but it is up to us to choose whether to give in to them or reframe them completely. The three knights share one thing in common: they are all human. No matter who you are – a knight, a president, a king, a teacher, a brother or even a student – morality is within you. Works CitedChaucer, Geoffrey. “The Tale of the Knights”. The Canterbury Tales. Ed. RM Lumiansky. NY: Paperbacks, 2001.19-63. Print.Chaucer, Geoffrey. “The Tale of the Wife of Bath.” The Canterbury Tales. McDougal Littell Literature: British literature. Ed. Janet Allen. Dallas: McDougal Littell, 2008. 182-192. Print. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. » McDougal Littell Literature: British literature. Ed. Janet Allen. Dallas: McDougal Littell, 2008. 226-239. Print.