R.I.P. Chivalry

R.I.P. Chivalry

As society has grown and evolved over the years, the expectations of men and women have substantially changed. These expectations have altered the way that men treat women. In fact, many women tend to complain that "chivalry is dead." While this may be true, it is not necessarily men who are at fault. To be chivalrous is to serve and please women. That being said, women in today's society pride themselves on being self-sufficient and independent. As women work to be considered equal to men, chivalry diminishes more and more. People today fail to see that chivalry is about respect that men should show women, rather than about the equality of men and women.

The idea of chivalry originated during medieval times. It was a code of conduct that a man had to follow in order to become a knight. It was not enough for a knight to be fierce and honorable during battle. Becoming a knight meant dignity and nobility in all aspects of life. Durmart Le Galois is considered to be one of the most accomplished knights of his time. Several of his heroic adventures have been documented and made into novels. To describe what it takes to be a knight Durmart says, "A knight should be bold, fair, courteous and well-mannered, generous and loyal, not foolish or rash, and should speak fairly without discourtesy. A knight should be all this, and also proud and fierce to his enemies, and kind to his friends." Durmart makes it clear that not every man is cut out for knighthood. It is not easy to abide by the demands of being a knight.

As men began to follow the rules of knighthood, chivalry quickly became a vital part of being a knight. Women were thought to be delicate and could not fend for themselves. They needed a man to defend their honor and constantly be of service to them. This meant opening car doors, pulling out chairs, and showering the woman with compliments. A lady was not to strain herself in any way, and the man was there to make sure she did not have to. Because of their weak nature, women needed a man to be chivalrous and attentive, and society frowned on any man who was not.

In the late 1800's, women began to fight to have more rights. They no longer wanted to be considered the fragile female who could not fend for herself. Women began to prove that they could be just as self-sufficient and tough as men were. As the years passed, women became more and more independent. Chivalry slowly began to diminish. Women could now open their own doors, pay for their own meals, and carry their own bags. Men were no longer needed for everyday tasks that were once part of their obligations of being a man.

Unfortunately, many people