“A Knight’s Tale” Film Response Part One: The word ‘chivalry’ derives from the French word chevalier meaning a horseman; a gallant young man or a knight. Chivalry is defined as the qualities idealized by Knighthood, also referred to as bravery, courtesy, honor, and respect towards women. During the Medieval Era, chivalry was acquired through the minds and hearts of the individual, not by their origin. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s A Knight’s Tale, the main character William Thatcher (aka Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein from Gelderland) is just an example of that. Throughout the story, it becomes clear that William Thatcher is to be considered a chivalrous knight. Although he was not born into royalty, he held some of the most important qualities considerable of a knight. At the first tournament, William is presented before Simon the Summoner and Peter the …show more content…
Upon learning that he is actually Edward, the Black Prince, and Count Adhemar withdraws. William continues the tournament and addresses Prince Edward by his true name, earning William respect (Show respect to authority). After Count Adhemar’s withdrawal, William is left to achieve several victories. William proves his love to Jocelyn by complying when he is asked to purposely lose in her name, and then before being eliminated, he would achieve a victory in her name. Shortly after this event, in acknowledgement of William’s honor, Prince Edward knights him as “Sir William.” As stated before, William may not have been born into royalty, but he expressed many characteristics of a knight. In the beginning of the story William was only nut an average man looking to “change his stars” in honor of his father. By the end of the story he becomes an iconic figure, a role model for many children around the world. Every respectable knight, such as Sir William, is honored by his people and admired greatly. Part