Chivalry: chiv·al·ry [shiv-uhl-ree]: the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms.
So, if a knight with ideal qualifications were to happen my way, I suppose that would mean he might open doors for me, put the toilet seat down, bring me gifts, and defend my honor. That his arms might be dexterous, I suppose, would a good thing as well.
It so happens such a knight has happened my way recently, exemplifying the definition of chivalry. In recent history, he is an anomaly. In these days of post-feminism, the unwritten, yet common rules of courtship have cast chivalry aside as unnecessary, perhaps unfair, or at the very least - a double-standard. Why should one person open a door for another who is perfectly capable of that action himself or herself? Why should one person and not another be responsible for lifting a toilet seat or returning it to the horizontal position?
It so happens such a knight has happened my way recently, exemplifying the definition of chivalry. In recent history, he is an anomaly. In these days of post-feminism, the unwritten, yet common rules of courtship have cast chivalry aside as unnecessary, perhaps unfair, or at the very least - a double-standard. Why should one person open a door for another who is perfectly capable of that action himself or herself? Why should one person and not another be responsible for lifting a toilet seat or returning it to the horizontal position?
A chivalrous knight, however, considers his actions unspoken expressions of compassion, kindness, affection - love. A lady returns his kindnesses by graciously accepting them in the spirit in which they were offered. By doing this, she is demonstrating not only her appreciation, but love. A knight recognizes this. Neither is giving nor receiving more than the other in this relationship.
Without these simple acts of kindness love gets lost, forgotten. A lady never takes them for granted. Each time she finds the seat to her throne replaced to its rightful position, her heart leaps a little with joy. Each time the door is opened, she looks into the face of her knight and her eyes soften with love. Each time she thanks him, his heart is full and their bond is strengthened.
So, I say to those rare men - the knights of the world, “Thank you.”
And I caution the rest that the decline of chivalry should not go unnoticed for therein may lie the decline of civilization as a whole.
You can follow me on Twitter: @CeceliaHalbert
I think, at least in this case, "dexterity in arms" refers more to his ability to fight with a multitude of weapons and not to the fact that he might be equally as skilled using both of his appendages.
ReplyDeleteSigned ~ A Warrior Knight