Analysis of the Word Chivalry in Antarah Ibn Shaddad's Divan

Undoubtedly, the meaning of any word is clarified in the reality and culture of its age and on its dynamism proceeds with the passage of time. This rule also applies to the word 'chivalry', in fact chivalry is a moral characteristic that Arab's hot and dry environment has institutionalized in the Bedouins. The symbolic aspect of this word appears in bravery; Arabs praise and respect brave men. As it was mentioned, this is the necessity of Arab's environment, thus, defining and explaining the concept of 'chivalry' is practicable in regard to their environment. The second aspect appears in generosity. The generous man is highly respected among Arabs, because most of the lives of Bedouins is passed in drought and starvation. In addition to these two, other meanings were added to this word over the time, these characteristics are patience, loyalty to promises and supporting the weak. Since in the age of ignorance some people symbolized a word; for example 'Hatam' for generosity, 'Al Samuel' for loyalty, 'Antarah' for chivalry and bravery and Amr Ibn Kulthum for 'guarding the territory of the race', therefore, the paper tries to define the meaning and concept of the word chivalry and its true examples with an analytical outlook and analyzing the content of Antarah's Divan.