Chivalry III - - Lewis.

This is coolbert:

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - - George Orwell.

When a modern thinks of chivalry, they almost without exception think of courteous behavior toward women.

Holding doors open, lighting a cigarette, allowing a woman go exit from an elevator first. That sort of stuff.

Behavior of this sort WAS the type of thing that proponents of chivalry had in mind from the start. But not solely confined to. Chivalry, of course, as understood by the medieval person, pertained to war, GOD, and women. Three aspects.

War and GOD as part of the equation seem to have disappeared from the scene, as perceived by the modern. Chivalrous behavior toward women is also perceived as having been on the decline for some time too.

Is there ANY ROOM at all in modern society for the concept of chivalry?

The concept as understood in medieval times?

The writer C.S. Lewis certainly felt this was so.

Lewis is generally recognized as the foremost writer on all things Christian in the 20th century.

An Oxford Don [professor], writer, confidant of J.R.R. Tolkien. And MILITARY man.

[Lewis, Tolkien and a group of other Oxford Dons would gather weekly at an English pub for critique and review of one another's works. I wonder if the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien had input from Lewis?? Perhaps so!]

Saw combat action as an officer in World War One and was wounded at Arras.

Lewis did feel that the concept of medieval chivalry was totally relevant to the modern world. Essential from the standpoint from which Lewis viewed the world.

"Hence, we can consider Lewis a pioneer of the concept of Chivalry Today. Lewis called chivalry a necessity. He believed that we are either, by nature, stern or meek. A knight must be fierce and kind at the same time. Time and time again we see this ideal of chivalry in his work, as his heroes kill their enemies quickly, but do not take any pleasure in doing so."

[strong and meek is a contradiction??]

["Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth" - - Proverbs Proverbs 24:17"]

"Lewis believed that without the knight, we have two types of people: those who are fierce in battle but cannot be gentle elsewhere, and those who are gentle in their real lives, but completely useless. The knight is the person who can be both fierce and gentle, but such behavior is learned."

In his [Lewis] own words:

"The man who combines both characters - the knight - is a work not of nature but of art; of that art which has human beings, instead of canvas or marble, for its medium."

The seven knightly virtues of the modern code of chivalry include:

* Courage.

* Justice.

* Mercy.

* Generosity.

* Faith.

* Nobility.

* Hope.

It is not only Lewis that has pondered the relevance of chivalry to the modern world. In Japan too this has occurred. The modern Japanese have given thought to the precepts of bushido and how the chivalric ideals of same pertain to modern Japan.

"modern bushido. The idea was derived from the fact that the Japanese male should be able to adapt his beliefs and philosophies to a changing world."

"In an excerpt of James Williams' article 'Virtue of the sword', a fairly simple explanation of modern bushido can be found:

The warrior protects and defends because he realizes the value of others. He knows that they are essential to society and, in his gift of service, recognizes and values theirs... take the extra moment in dark parking lots at night to make sure that a woman gets into her car safely before leaving yourself. Daily involvement in acts such as these are as much a part of training as time spent in the dojo, and indeed should be the reason for that time spent training... When faced with a woman or child in a situation in which they are vulnerable, there are two types of men: those who would offer succor and aid, and those who would prey upon them. And in modern society, there is another loathsome breed who would totally ignore their plight!"

The Japanese too see a need for the concept of chivalry in the modern world. The concept as understood by those of the medieval world.

[when I think of the "loathsome breed" the first thought that comes to my mind is the Kitty Genovese case. Over fifty years old now. A young woman in NYC was set upon and murdered by an assailant. Attacked repeatedly and knifed over a period of forty five minutes!! During which time, dozens of persons heard the screams and cries for "help", but DID NOTHING!! NOT EVEN to call the police???!!!]

Wanted:

Rough men - - but rough men that can be gentle!!

coolbert.