[DFT] [Fwd: [ChivalryToday] Halloween Knight]

[Seanan mac Tighearnain]

----- Original Message -----

> Scott Farrell wrote:
> >
> >
> > Halloween Knight
> > By Scott Farrell
> > (c)2002 Shining Armor Enterprises
> >
> > www.ChivalryToday.com
> >
> > "What are you going to be for Halloween?" is a pretty common inquiry
> > at
> > this time of year. Everyone loves playing dress-up for a day, and
> > there
> > was a time when answers to this question would range anywhere from "an
> >
> > astronaut" or "a cowboy," to "Dracula" or "Freddie Kruger."
> >
> > Lately, however, a lot of people have begun to steer away from the
> > "darker" side of Halloween. Parents especially are encouraging their
> > kids to dress up as police officers and firefighters rather than
> > zombies
> > and witches. A lot of adults feel that allowing their kids to put on
> > the
> > trappings of a monster glorifies the attitudes and actions of the
> > ghoulish things that go bump in the night. In essence, they feel that
> > there is enough to be afraid of in the world without adding to the
> > horror.
> >
> > Interestingly, playing dress-up was common in the days of knights in
> > shining armor. The warriors at a medieval tournament often
> > participated
> > in role-playing exercises as part of the pageantry associated with a
> > jousting match, and this included wearing the appropriate costumes.
> > Knights taking part in a tournament might dress up as Sir Galahad or
> > Sir
> > Lancelot, or they might disguise themselves as Sir Turquin or Sir
> > Breunis Saunce Pite (the knightly equivalents of Dracula and Freddie
> > Kruger). At a jousting match in England in 1342, seven knights issued
> > a
> > challenge to all comers, and on the day of the tournament each of them
> >
> > took the field dressed as one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
> >
> > Why would otherwise valiant and virtuous knights dress up to portray
> > the
> > exact opposites of the Code of Chivalry? I can think of several
> > reasons.
> >
> > The most obvious, of course, is that without villains there can be no
> > heroes. At a jousting match, someone would have to play the bad guys
> > in
> > order to give the other knights a chance to demonstrate their skill
> > and
> > chivalry.
> >
> > More than that, however, playing the villain gives us all a chance to
> > see through the eyes of the characters who wear the black hats or the
> > black armor. It allows us to recognize that all those things lurking
> > in
> > the dark corners of the world are human - that the "bad guys" have
> > dreams and loves and fears, just like we do. And, knowing that, we can
> >
> > have hope that the villains and monsters will repent in the end, and
> > be
> > transformed by their contact with the cause of goodness and chivalry.
> > We
> > want to believe in the possibility that someday we will put down our
> > swords and lances and embrace our enemies as brothers - and that when
> > we
> > do, what we will find behind the mask of Sir Turquin or Freddie Kruger
> >
> > is a face much like our own.
> >
> > Playing the role of a villain or a monster does not mean you are
> > doomed
> > to be taken over by the "dark side." Putting on a sinister costume is
> > simply an acknowledgement of the struggles and temptations we all must
> >
> > face as we, like the knights of old, work to uphold the tenets of the
> > Code of Chivalry every day of our lives. Happy Halloween!
> >
> > = = = = = =
> >
> > Don't be scared to share this column! Readers are permitted and
> > encouraged to share this article with friends, family and colleagues
> > via
> > other e-mail lists, discussion groups and on-line forums (please
> > include
> > all titles and attributions). All material copyright 2002 Scott
> > Farrell
> > and Shining Armor Enterprises. Visit us on-line to learn more about
> > the
> > Code of Chivalry in the modern world at www.ChivalryToday.com .
> >
> > http://www.ChivalryToday.com/
> >
>
>
>
> --
> YIS,
> Colin of Eilean Donan
> An Teach Amarrac
> Calafia, Caid
>
> Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit
> there.
>
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