Heroism Essay, Research Paper

Heroism is a legendary and supernatural quality. The term was first applied to tales concerned with knights, chivalry, and courtly love. Several romances deal with Alexander the Great, King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, and Emperor Charlemagne. The Arthurian romances fall into three broad groups. Some, such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, are tales that involve the testing of a young knight. Others, such as the Tristan und Isolt of Gottfried von Strassburg, describe the conflict between passion and duty. The third group, exemplified by Chr tien de Troyes’s romance Percival, is concerned with the search for the Holy Grail.

Heroic tradition, is also referred to as romances set in distant or mythological places and times, they stress adventure and supernatural parts. This type of heroism was most recognized in the rennaisance. Although some historians consider him a mythical figure, people believe that a historical Arthur may have led the long resistance of Brittain against the invaders. According to legend, Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon, king of Britain. Kept in hiding during childhood, he was suddenly presented to the people as their king. He proved a wise and valiant ruler. He gathered a great company of knights in his court problems of introducement were avoided by the use of a round table at gatherings.

With his queen, Guinevere, he maintained a magnificent court at Camelot, where the Brittians longest maintained their hold. His wars and victories extended to the continent of Europe, where he successfully defied the forces of the Roman Empire until he was called home because of the acts of his nephew Mordred, who had rebelled and seized his kingdom. In the final battle, in southwestern England, the king and the traitor both fell, pierced by each other’s spears. Arthur was mysteriously carried away to the mythical island of Avalon to be healed of his wounds.

` When Arthur sought to create the knights of the round he asked Merlin ” Espy me the most prowess and worship”. In order to be a knight you must sware to a code of chivalry.

Chivalry, the order of knighthood and, especially, the code of knightly behavior. .

The origins of Knighthood The German warriors who overran Europe in the early Middle Ages fought on foot, but in the period between 700 and 1000 cavalry forces were created to oppose invading Muslims, Vikings, and Magyars. Knighthood and chivalry, its belief and ideals, acquired a mystique that combined rich qualities, Christian virtues, and the courtly love of women. The ideal knight should be a man of prowess, loyalty, and generosity like the heroes. In the eyes of the church, he should put his sword at the service of the poor and needy and especially of the Crusades to the Holy Land. From southern France came the idea that a knight should serve a lady whom he loved passionately, if hopelessly.

A hero is some one who swares to do something courages in order to make some one elses life better. In the arthurian legend there is many great knights that are considered heros here a couple examples of Launcelot a knight of the round table swaring to risk his life for Camelot and Lady Guenevere. This is from Launcelot to Arthur “All of what you desire will be done for I am a true knight”. Another promise but this one is to Lady Guenevere “Fair damsel I shall not fail you by the grace of god”. Someone who can make apromise like this definetly proves you’re a hero.