Current events are somewhat tiresome at present. Fortunately however my own experiences in the wider world are providing me with the stimuli i need in order to write.
Just a few nights ago, for example, this most unworthy of authors decided to nourish his weary soul by engaging in some honorable combat, courtesy of his fancy Xbox CCCLX computerbox. I soon found myself a group of fellow warriors who (despite their later behavior) seemed a meritorious group, and, dividing into two squadrons, we soon set about the noble business of fighting. Alas, though your author undertook many manly acts that day - bravely charging into the enemy ranks, meeting the enemy blow for blow and missile for missile - nonetheless the conclusion of the affair is something which would be better forgotten rather than recorded for posterity. No sooner had my comrades and I gained the better of the fighting had three of our enemies taken to ignoble flight. Rather than having the opportunity than to run them through, they simply faded out of reach as they disconnected from the network. Our sole remaining adversary proved to be a stout fellow, however. Despite facing impossible odds, he chose to fight on - refusing to give an inch. I took heart at this. " It would seem", i said to my comrades "that we should use the weakest of arms against this fellow. It only seems fair, after all, that we give this noble soul a fair chance since he has opted not to deprive us of our quarry". My allies, however, proved to be far less praise-worthy than either myself or our opponent. "Why would we do that?" one of them sneered, "Would you do that in a real war?"
In answer, sir, of course I would. Such a noble warrior deserves the chance to do battle on even ground, and, alongside this, I would hope that after seeing such a display of compassion and chivalry my opponent would do the same if the tables were turned in some future encounter. This simple concept, of listening to one's conscience and treating people in the way you wish to be treated, is one which was present in Medieval thought and underpins the ideals of honor and chivalry, as we can see from the words Froissart puts into the mouth of Sir Walter Manny at the Siege of Calais. On hearing that King Edward wished to avenge himself against the inhabitants of the town, for example, Froissart writes "My Lord, you may well be mistaken, and you are setting a bad example for us. Suppose one day you sent us to defend one of your fortresses, we should go less cheerfully if you have these people put to death, for then they would do the same to us if they had a chance" (Jean Froissart, Chronicles, trans. G Brereton (London, 1978), p. 106.) Quite frankly, though a resurgence in honorable conduct would certainly help on the shameful field of modern combat, it would also do endless good if practiced in the rest of society as so much of modern life appears to be ruled by selfish, but self-defeating, idiocy. On the London Underground, for example, many people chose to force themselves on the occupants of the nearest train carriage as soon as the train doors have opened. This, of course, is certainly folly - for aside from the fact they need people to alight the train to produce the space needed for them to embark, when it comes to their own turn to alight they find ther path blocked by a crush of self-important ignoramuses. My dear readers, treat your fellow men with the same degree of patience and respect that you would wish to receive yourself. Such selfless behavior may seem onerous to begin with, but, in the long run, it would be of great personal benefit to us all.
technorati tags:Gears, of, war, honour, honor, Froissart, medieval, modern, life
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