Dbq Essay On Samurai And Knights

The Samurai and Knights are both similar and different in many ways. The question is however who would win in a battle? There is much history of these two in combat we’ll have to analyze their training, honor, loyalty and skills to see who would win in a battle. While Knights and Samurai have many similarities, in one battle, the advantage would be to the Samurai and this can be seen in documents C1, E, G, and F.

The first way that the Samurai would have an advantage is through their training. In document C1 written by a program by PBS it says, “ The rigorous training of a Samurai began when they were Children. In their schooling they learned poetry and spiritual discipline. The young warriors studied Kendo (the art of fencing with

In document E written by Yamaga Soko it says “the business of the Samurai consists … in discharging loyal service to his master if he has one in deepening in his fidelity and by devoting himself to his duty above all” a samurai’s loyalty was to his master and Samurai would practice the bushido code which emphasized bravery, loyalty and honor. A Samurai will devote himself to his duty above all and coming home without fulfilling one's duty was deemed dishonorable. A Samurai would not return home until his duty was deemed finished. Another piece of evidence that supports the claim in document E written by Sir Thomas Malory, it reads “to dishonor knighthood was the greatest disgrace and part of being a Knight was to do no wicked deed, be loyal to the king and give mercy to anyone who asks”. In the Bushido code a Samurai would not abandon his duty even if was about to die while the Knights code of chivalry said to do no wicked deed and be loyal to their king. While their way of fighting was important their pride was

In document G written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo it says “when it comes to a decision there is only the quick choice of death. This is not a hard choice. Just be determined and get it done. To say that dying without reaching one's goal is how non warriors think.” A Samurai should not be afraid of death if they lost the battle they would commit seppuku or spiritual suicide because it would be seen as honorable. If they knew they knew they were not going to win a life or death battle they would continue on fighting. It also says in document F written by Christine de Pizan that “therefore he is not doing wrong if he does for himself the same right he is obliged to observe for another- which is to say, if he avoids his own death”. A Knight is not necessarily afraid of death but avoids suicide missions. If they were fighting a battle the could not win they would