# How does Le Morte d’Arthur develop the theme of Chivalry and Knighthood?

> Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory

## Answer

Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory develops Chivalry and Knighthood across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The book explores the ideals and failures of knighthood, including codes of honor, prowess in battle, loyalty, and the moral obligations of knights, as seen in the deeds of Arthur, Launcelot, and others.

The chapter depicts the formal knighting of Griflet and the chivalric obligation to joust, highlighting the ideals and perils of knighthood.

The introduction of the Round Table and the early adventures of knights like Gawaine and Tor highlight the code of chivalry.

Gawaine is rebuked for lacking mercy, a key knightly virtue, and is later bound by oath to be courteous and merciful to ladies.

## Evidence

- [xxii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxii.md): The chapter depicts the formal knighting of Griflet and the chivalric obligation to joust, highlighting the ideals and perils of knighthood.
- [book-iii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-iii.md): The introduction of the Round Table and the early adventures of knights like Gawaine and Tor highlight the code of chivalry.
- [viii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii.md): Gawaine is rebuked for lacking mercy, a key knightly virtue, and is later bound by oath to be courteous and merciful to ladies.
- [ix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix.md): Sir Tor demonstrates knightly prowess by jousting and defeating two knights, then showing mercy by accepting their surrender and sending them to King Arthur.
- [xii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii.md): Pellinore's quest to recover the lady and his willingness to fight for her honor exemplify the knightly duty to protect the helpless.
- [xiii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii.md): King Pellinore's promise to treat the lady with no villainy and his acceptance of lodging from a fellow knight exemplify knightly honor and courtesy.
- [xviii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii.md): The jousts and the subsequent reconciliation between Sir Marhaus and Sir Gawaine exemplify knightly honor and brotherhood.
- [xix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix.md): The knights choose damosels based on courtesy and need, demonstrating chivalric ideals of protection and service.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/questions/how-chivalry-and-knighthood
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All questions: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/questions