KTF/Chivalry
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The family of a Klingon warrior is responsible for his actions, and he is responsible for theirs <br><br> | The family of a Klingon warrior is responsible for his actions, and he is responsible for theirs <br><br> | ||
Each of these proverbs expresses the importance of honorable behavior in and off the battlefield. And finally, the most famous of legends about the importance of honor and most specially not lying deals with the story of Kahless and his brother Morath. The story goes that Morath once brought dishonor to his family by telling a lie. Kahless and Morath fought for 12 days and 12 nights. Once again the importance of honor in Klingon society is highlighted and reminds every Klingon that without honor – he is nothing. <br><br> | Each of these proverbs expresses the importance of honorable behavior in and off the battlefield. And finally, the most famous of legends about the importance of honor and most specially not lying deals with the story of Kahless and his brother Morath. The story goes that Morath once brought dishonor to his family by telling a lie. Kahless and Morath fought for 12 days and 12 nights. Once again the importance of honor in Klingon society is highlighted and reminds every Klingon that without honor – he is nothing. <br><br> | ||
+ | [[Image:Ruustai.jpg|R'uustai ceremony]]<br> | ||
Commandment nine “Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.” Explains that Knights were more than excellent warriors but also cared for their people and aided the poor. With regards to generosity, A Klingon house is more than an alliance for mutual protection. The head of the house is also responsible for the care of his people. The Klingon legend of Ja’ Duch offers an example of this notion of largesse. “… Ja'Duch, a legendary warrior and hero, said to have founded the first Klingon house. Ja'Duch was a great hunter and fought battles against other tribes to protect his people. He was renowned for his generosity, and for his unusual custom of performing the R'uustai ("bonding") ceremony with the families of his honored enemies, who lost their own protectors.” Another example is found within the legend of Kahless. “It is said that his first act after Molor’s defeat was to return to his family’s farm where he used his bat’leth to harvest all the fields in a single day, ensuring his family would have food to eat and money to support them.” Clearly, Klingon society advocates generosity and largesse to all members of one’s household.<br><br> | Commandment nine “Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.” Explains that Knights were more than excellent warriors but also cared for their people and aided the poor. With regards to generosity, A Klingon house is more than an alliance for mutual protection. The head of the house is also responsible for the care of his people. The Klingon legend of Ja’ Duch offers an example of this notion of largesse. “… Ja'Duch, a legendary warrior and hero, said to have founded the first Klingon house. Ja'Duch was a great hunter and fought battles against other tribes to protect his people. He was renowned for his generosity, and for his unusual custom of performing the R'uustai ("bonding") ceremony with the families of his honored enemies, who lost their own protectors.” Another example is found within the legend of Kahless. “It is said that his first act after Molor’s defeat was to return to his family’s farm where he used his bat’leth to harvest all the fields in a single day, ensuring his family would have food to eat and money to support them.” Clearly, Klingon society advocates generosity and largesse to all members of one’s household.<br><br> | ||
The finally commandment is a reminder to always be on the side of good against evil. "Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.” The best example of Klingon society following this commandment is found in their ideas of rewards after death. For Klingons substitute honorable and dishonorable with "good" or "evil" Klingons that live a dishonorable life will not go to Sto-Vo-Kor. This is an important belief and reminds Klingons that to live dishonorable or to be “evil” in the sense of the Western European sense of the word – one will pay for their failings after death. | The finally commandment is a reminder to always be on the side of good against evil. "Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.” The best example of Klingon society following this commandment is found in their ideas of rewards after death. For Klingons substitute honorable and dishonorable with "good" or "evil" Klingons that live a dishonorable life will not go to Sto-Vo-Kor. This is an important belief and reminds Klingons that to live dishonorable or to be “evil” in the sense of the Western European sense of the word – one will pay for their failings after death. | ||
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http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/R%27uustai <br> | http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/R%27uustai <br> | ||
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[[Category:Klingon]][[Category:KTF]] | [[Category:Klingon]][[Category:KTF]] |
Revision as of 20:39, 26 October 2010
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Culture Basics Chivalry vs. Klingon Honor COMPARISON OF THE by George Pimentel The Concept of Chivalry during the Middle Ages comes for the French cheval and from the Latin caballus as an institution it is to be considered a code of honor governing a knight’s behavior in three areas: military, social, and the religious. Comparatively speaking the Klingon societal norm of honor taking precedence over all things is remarkable similar to the concept of chivalry. Both cultures hold the virtues of honor, courage, strength and loyalty above all else. Although Klingon honor codes have not been formalized by a written code administered by both Church and State, the Klingon extensive use of proverbs does demonstrate its vital role in Klingon Military, social and religious thinking. For the purposes of this paper I will exam the code of chivalry as explained by Leon Gautier in his book Chivalry. According to Gautier, the Code of chivalry practiced during the latter part of the eleventh century contained ten basic commandments or tenants. 1. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and shalt obey all her commandments. The first and second commandments deal with piousness and defending the Church respectively. The concept of being devout if not religious is well known to Klingons. Examples are found in Worf’s dedication to the rituals of the Klingon culture and religious ceremonies such as the Heghtay (Klingon death ritual). The spiritual beliefs in places like Sto-Vo-Kor and Gre'tor and the legendary deeds of Kahless all show the spiritual element contained within Klingon society Klingon spiritual life encompasses a host of ceremonies. Ceremonies such as nentay (Rite of Ascension), majQa tay (Rite of Maj'Qa) and the Darghtay (Tea Ceremony) are all examples of Klingon rituals designed to enrich the Klingon spirit. The Third commandment is a less obvious. The code of chivalry requires knights to protect the weak. In Klingon society weakness is disdained. However, the Klingon proverb -pujwI' HIvlu'chugh quvbe'lu' (there is no honor in attacking the weak) clearly demonstrates the concept of honorable combat and worthy opponents. This protection of the weak can also be seen in Quarks fight with D’Ghor. Quark, challenged by D’Ghor, throws down his Bat’leth and kneels before his attacker. When D’Ghor raises his bat’leth to kill him despite his unarmed stance, Gowron comes to Quark’s aid. Gowron admonishes D’Ghor for this dishonorable act – an act that would kill a weak and unarmed opponent. Although one could argue that Klingons don’t technically protect the weak they do not prey upon the weak either and honor dictates that combat is between worthy opponents. |
The fifth commandment “Thou shalt not recoil before the enemy” is a vital to the code of chivalry and Klingon culture. In a warrior society this is the most important of the commandments. Without courage one cannot have honor -- for the warrior would soon betray his very essence. To die in battle in service to the Empire is the hope of every warrior. Klingon culture is full of examples of the virtue of courage. Heroes such as Kor, Koloth, Kang, Gorkon, Kruge, Gowron, K'mpec, Koord are revered in Klingon society. A son of a Klingon becomes a man when he can hold a blade – emphasizing the courage in the young warrior’s heart. It also symbolizes his willingness to be a worthy member of a House and to carry on the honor of his family. Klingon ceremonies, such as the nenghep (Rite of Ascension) and the Darghtay (Tea Ceremony) show the importance of courage in Klingon culture. Proverbs such as wej Heghchugh vay', SuvtaH SuvwI' (A warrior fights to the death) and may'meyDajvo' Haw'be' tlhIngan (A Klingon does not run away from his battles) illustrates the importance of courage in the Klingon worldview. The sixth tenet of chivalry is "Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy” The Church in the eleventh century took great pains in trying to transform the wildness of knights into tempered warriors for Christ. For them this was a manner of social control. There is no direct coalition in Klingon society to this tenet. For this was an attempt by the Church in the Middle Ages to provide some manner of protection to them and divert warrior’s attentions to potential economic and religious rivals. For the Church in the eleventh century -- Crusade was an economic and political move which we are still feeling the affects of today. A similar event could be argued in reference to the Klingon Empire. Prior to 2069 the Empire was plagued by nearly constant internal warfare. There is a marked turn in events after the 2069 when the Klingon High Council turned its attention to space. Like, Western Europe the Klingon Home world turns the warrior spirit loose on the non-Klingon universe thus giving an outlet for the warrior spirit. balth potlh law' yIn potlh puS |
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