Perhaps we find a pre-medieval version of the knightly "both/and" in the guardians of Plato's Republic.
In the Republic, there are not only sheep (ordinary people) and wolves (those who would prey upon them), but also well-trained dogs (warriors whose souls are refined by a musical education and toughened by a gymnastic education) to protect the sheep from the wolves, as well as shepherds (philosopher-kings whose warrior education is completed by a philosophical education) to guide the dogs.
Socrates even recognizes what Lewis says here: "The medieval ideal brought together two things which have no natural tendency to gravitate towards one another. It brought them together for that very reason." The well-trained dog is the example that proves that it is, in fact, possible—though difficult, and far from spontaneous—to bring together the two apparent contraries of gentleness toward friends and harshness toward enemies.
The famous "sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs" talk from American Sniper refers to three of the four types discussed in the Republic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxZ0UZf0mkk
I have often thought that the character of Captain America in the recent Marvel movies embodied these qualities—an old-fashioned gentlemanliness and courtesy and yet the "sternest knight to [his] mortal foe", the desire always to do what's right and the courage to never surrender and never to compromise his principles.
Generations grew up in a modern world with no room for chivalry or romance. A world built by divisions rather than unity, a trampling of history rather than learning from it. Is it any wonder that reactionaries are on the rise? We want to see a world that learns from its past and takes the good and leaves the bad. Perhaps chivalry is more necessary now than every before, but it needs a reimagining for the modern age, a new play book from which to play for a modern game.
“For thy power, O Lord, is not in a multitude, nor is thy pleasure in the strength of horses, nor from the beginning have the proud been acceptable to thee: but the prayer of the humble and the meek hath always pleased thee” — Book of Judith 9:16
Perhaps we find a pre-medieval version of the knightly "both/and" in the guardians of Plato's Republic.
In the Republic, there are not only sheep (ordinary people) and wolves (those who would prey upon them), but also well-trained dogs (warriors whose souls are refined by a musical education and toughened by a gymnastic education) to protect the sheep from the wolves, as well as shepherds (philosopher-kings whose warrior education is completed by a philosophical education) to guide the dogs.
Socrates even recognizes what Lewis says here: "The medieval ideal brought together two things which have no natural tendency to gravitate towards one another. It brought them together for that very reason." The well-trained dog is the example that proves that it is, in fact, possible—though difficult, and far from spontaneous—to bring together the two apparent contraries of gentleness toward friends and harshness toward enemies.
The famous "sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs" talk from American Sniper refers to three of the four types discussed in the Republic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxZ0UZf0mkk
Great summary and call to action! My CS Lewis group is reading / discussing this great essay this week and I plan to share your post.
Thanks for the point about meekness not being the same as weakness. It is an unfortunate and erroneous association that people make.
Meek = strong. Thank you again for a great read.
I have often thought that the character of Captain America in the recent Marvel movies embodied these qualities—an old-fashioned gentlemanliness and courtesy and yet the "sternest knight to [his] mortal foe", the desire always to do what's right and the courage to never surrender and never to compromise his principles.
Generations grew up in a modern world with no room for chivalry or romance. A world built by divisions rather than unity, a trampling of history rather than learning from it. Is it any wonder that reactionaries are on the rise? We want to see a world that learns from its past and takes the good and leaves the bad. Perhaps chivalry is more necessary now than every before, but it needs a reimagining for the modern age, a new play book from which to play for a modern game.
I deeply appreciate the article.
“For thy power, O Lord, is not in a multitude, nor is thy pleasure in the strength of horses, nor from the beginning have the proud been acceptable to thee: but the prayer of the humble and the meek hath always pleased thee” — Book of Judith 9:16
What book is this essay from? I'm disappointed my Lewis collection doesn't have this.
Amen! Amen!