Female Choice

While reading The Art of Courtly Love I was reminded frequently of the prospect of female choice in biological science. The story of the knight from Britain, I feel, is a good example of female choice. If the knight did not need to rely on the beautiful woman choosing him, but instead making it his own decision to form a relationship with the woman, he likely would not have had to complete the various tasks laid out for him.

            This stories theme is a common one, where the hero must complete feats of physical or mental strength to prove himself over those around him, much like the hero of this story battling knights and maintaining his composure and honor throughout his quest. Sheer feats of brute strength are not the only things the common hero needs to show, a sense of compassion towards others and the capability to show mercy towards those they have conflicts with, which can be seen in the battle on the bridge, “But when the Briton was about to smite off his head, the bridge keeper, by the most humble entreaties, sought and obtained mercy.” (Capellanus, 180).

The notion of female choice gives enormous power to those women seeking a spouse or lover, while simultaneously giving reason for the men to become the best that they can in every way they can.