Lytton Strachey once said: "The old interests of aristocracy - the romance of action, the exalted passions of chivalry and war - have passed into second plan, and their place was taken by refinement and nobility. intimate pursuits of peace and civilization. The differences between medieval and modern times show the progression of love, honor and chivalry. From the days of King Arthur's knights to the modern day of Nicholas Sparks' novels, the image of what was originally a knight fighting for his "princess" has transformed into a man dating a woman, to prove that throughout generations, courtly love will always exist. but due to the change in responsibility, the man no longer has the obligation to follow the code of chivalry in pursuing his daughter. In medieval literature, the man represents a "knight in shining armor" who follows the code of chivalry to free the "damsel in distress" (Chivalry 2). The Code of Chivalry "was a moral system that went beyond the rules of combat and introduced the concept of chivalric conduct, qualities idealized by chivalry, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and bravery towards women » (2). Arthurian-era men also demonstrated medieval courtly love toward women. Men who were “knights [served] his court lady with the same obedience and loyalty that he owes to his overlord lord. [The woman] has total control over the romantic relationship, while he owes her obedience and submission” (Schwartz 2). In The Allegory of Love, CS Lewis describes “the secret love of Lancelot and Guinevere” (Mims 3). Lancelot represents “the ease of access to love makes it of little value; the difficulty of achieving it makes it precious” (Medieval Courtly Love 2). Lancelot demonstrates this quote when he sets out to save Queen Guinevere...... middle of paper ...... still stands today with the same expectations as before, because without the "fight" that a man must win, or the respect a man should give to a woman, love cannot conquer. Works Cited “Chivalry.” Medieval life and times. Internet. December 1, 2011. “Code of Chivalry.” Medieval life and times. Internet. December 1, 2011. “Medieval Courtly Love.” Medieval life and times. Internet. November 6, 2011. “Medieval view of love: general. » Courtly love. A Guide to the Study of Literature: A Companion Text for Core Studies 6, Landmarks of Literature, Department of English, Brooklyn College. August 17, 2000. The web. November 6, 2011.Mims, JE “Courtly Love”. May 26, 1997. the web. November 28, 2011. Schwartz, Dr. Debora B. “Contexts of Romance: Courtly Love.” » Cal Poly CLA - College of Liberal Arts. Internet. November 6, 2011. “The notebook”. Nicholas Sparks. Grand Central Editions. Internet. December 1. 2011.