The Age of Chivalry

No, precious creature,
I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
Than you should such dishonor undergo
While I sit lazy by(3.1.30-33)

Ferdinand says this line after Miranda offers to help him carry the logs, and let him rest a while. His response is basically saying, no I will not let you do a man’s work where you will strain while I sit here on my lazy butt. This line is important because it shows the code of chivalry. In medieval times women were thought to have specific roles, mainly keeper of the house. While men were supposed to do all the “difficult” work such as decision-making, log-chopping, and other manual labors. Men did not allow women to do much of anything because they felt it was their duty to protect women, even from themselves. Miranda is offering to do some very difficult labor because she is so in love with Ferdinand. She isn’t thinking about the fact that with her delicate frame and lack of exercise she could very well pull her back or even break a bone by accident. Ferdinand knows this, and through his code of chivalry (not to allow women to do men’s work, and protect your woman) continues to chop and carry firewood in spite of his exhaustion. In conclusion, while it is true that the code of chivalry robbed women of their ability to govern themselves, the men did it in attempts to protect them. This quote is a prime example of the purpose and execution of chivalry.