Chivalry among men in the novel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Chivalry among men in the novel - Essay Example Despite their difference in origin, the two terms referred so much to a similar class of soldiers with similar ideals in proper behavior and conduct that the terms can now be used almost interchangeably. However, the word ‘chivalry’ still works to connote more of the honor code that was held among these fighters, such as the duty to uphold one’s honor regardless of the cost and the charge to protect a woman’s honor to an even greater extent. The Catholic Encyclopedia offers the most complete definition of what the word came to mean by the time Dumas wrote his novel: â€Å"Chivalry †¦ as an institution is to be considered from three points of view: the military, the social, and the religious† (Moeller, 2006). The ideals contained in these three areas can be traced throughout Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Three Musketeers through the characters of D’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. At the very beginning of the novel, the concept of chivalry is introduced as a principle part of D’Artagnan’s upbringing as the reader is given a glimpse into the young man’s leave-taking of his parents. His father advises him, â€Å"At Court, if you ever go to Court, ... be honest and above board with everyone. Always remember your rank and carry on the tradition of good behaviour which your family has been true to for the past five hundred years. †¦ Stand no nonsense from anyone but the King and the Cardinal. Remember, nowadays it’s only by personal courage that a man can get on in the world† (Dumas, 1982, p. 29). This speech sets the tone very early on by which D’Artagnan’s life is to be characterized. In all of his actions, he is expected to be truthful, honest, above board and courageous, repaying every insult given him with immediate and swift retaliation. It also becomes apparent during this speech that D’Artagnan i s indeed of an ancestral line capable of attaining knighthood and is