The iconic figures of both the knight and the cowboy symbolize the broader thoughts and beliefs of today, while reinforcing both social and political principles. Both have flourished as icons, proving essential in the defining of ideas, ideals, and appeal.
The popularity of the medieval knights are linked to the behaviors of righteousness, defend and conquer, chivalry, and; of course, the kind of romance that appealed to the masses. Tales of knighthood have provided for a central icon to which England used to identify itself as a nation (Moskowitz, 2006).
Throughout time, the nationalistic figure of the legendary Arthurian Knights, have carried over to the American Cowboy. Vigilantly shaped by artists, authors, and political figures, both occupy similar positions as historical statures glamorized far beyond their horseman abilities.
The cowboy shared similar tasks of the knight. Representative of homesteading and pioneering the frontier, the American cowboy triggered the spreading of people from independent states and the growth of our nation. Romanticized as figures of the Old West, the cowboy is known to have tamed the Wild West and supported nationalism through his existence in neutrality (Moskowitz, 2006). Inherently, this stimulated the movement that brought our northern and southern states together.From Knights, to Cowboys…to Nationalism evolved from the need to promote self-reliance and transitory qualities of hero’s past, and has shaped the kind of society we live in today. These icons continually affect the people we become and the way we view reality today. We strive to keep company with those deserving, endurance and courage to persevere, support of good citizenship, and to become successful. By extension of our nation, the knight and the cowboy are the icons that represent the desired image of America.
Reference:
Moskowitz, Jennifer. (2006). The Cultural Myth of the Cowboy, or, How the West Was Won. Americana: The Journal of American Popular Culture (1900 – present). Spring 2006, Volume 5, Issue 1. Retrieved on May 22, 2008 from http://www.americanpopularculture.com/journal/articles/spring_2006/moskowitz.htm
The knight and cowboy so different but represent so much in mythical behavior. When Sean Connery got knighted, I thought "WOW" he fills my thoughts of the white knight. I do have that idea of what knights and cowboys are suppose to be and act.
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