Good Morning!
Take a few (5-8) minutes and read the following articles. After, respond to the following questions (remember 75-100 words and respond to two of your classmates using at least 50 words).
Article #1:
Article #2:
What is a knight? What does he represent? Through Arthurian legend, Western culture has been taught that a medieval knight served as an example of all that was “good” and honorable in a society. To this very day, remnants of that perception of knightly/chivalric behavior linger, from the small seemingly insignificant act of a man holding a door open for a woman, to the more obvious voluntary sacrificing of an individual’s life for his/her country. However, what if such a code of behavior never existed? What if living near a knight was more of a hazard rather than refuge? These questions almost appear blasphemous!
Despite the repulsive nature of such a profane concept, if a reader looks closely at some of the most prominent literature of the time, Le Morte d’Arthur, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and The Canterbury Tales, it is evident that the authors of such works pondered the same questions. For example, Thomas Mallory’s King Arthur is the offspring of a tumultuous relationship between King Uther and an unwilling and married Lady Igraine. Later in his life, Arthur and his sister, Morgawse, conceive a child, Mordred, who ironically prays on his father’s arrogance. In fact, it is Arthur’s arrogance that leads not only to Mordred’s death but his very own.
As for the tale, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, instead of leaping to action (Arthur refrains from battling the Green Knight himself) Sir Gawain has to be coerced into fulfilling his knightly duty to protect his king, queen, and kingdom. During the course of the rest of the tale, Sir Gawain again proves himself dishonorable given his less than respectful treatment of women. --So much for the perfect knight in shining armor.
However, when reading The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer not only calls into question the traditional concept of a knight but of every station in society. Clergyman gamble, steal, and lie. Women control their husbands, and their money, and so on.
Looking at this literature in such a critical way is unpleasant and depressing to say the very least. However, the more pleasant and encouraging reality is that this literature brings to light the societal changes of the period. Despite feudalism, the common people started to question their stations in life. They began to think for themselves, however subtly. It was a time of change, a type of change we still struggle with even to this very day.
Questions:
Which article do you believe is true or you want to believe is true? Why?
What effect do stereotypical beliefs have on our lives?
Have you encountered situations in the past when your perception of a person or thing was inaccurate? Give an example(s).