Old and Middle English Term Paper

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Knighthood and Chivalry: Heroism, Love, and Honor in "Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

Fourteenth century literature was characteristically based on medieval period, wherein the dominance of Christianity is evident in Western society during that time. Influenced by the image of a knight, who serves as a warrior and man of noble birth, literary works during this period centered on the virtues taught to be important by the Church: love, honor, and chivalry. These are the characteristics that every heroic knight should have: respect for other people and the self, respect for love, and protecting those people who are unable to protect themselves from harm.

These are the traits that readers see in the images of the 'knights' depicted in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." Belonging to the 14th century Western literary period, these works have illustrated how knights are characterized by different people in different situations.

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In "The Knight's Tale," Chaucer illustrates the stereotype of knights who are both brave and chivalrous; "The Tale of Sir Thopas" presents a comical version of a man who has all the qualities of a good knight, yet, was not able to have for himself a wife; and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" talks about the temptation and difficulties that Sir Gawain encounters as he pursues a journey to battle against the Green Knight.

All of these literary works portray a different kind of knight, although it is evident that they have the same belief that they, as knights, should remain respectful, loving, and brave for other people, most especially the women. The texts that follow discuss how the view of knighthood becomes evident in the three literary

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