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What does the Phrase "on Bended Knee" Mean?
On Bended Knee Music
On Bended Knee Video
I M Down On Bended Knee
This phrase is used both literally, to refer to someone in a kneeling position, and figuratively, to describe someone making an earnest and momentous request or plea. The concept of kneeling to make requests is extremely ancient, especially in Western culture, where people have been kneeling to pray, accept honors, and to ask for favors for thousands of years. In the East, people often go beyond bending, making such requests in a seated position or a deep bow.
Men traditionally get down on one knee to propose marriage to their girlfriends.
You may be wondering, incidentally, why the phrase is "on bended knee," rather than "on bent knee," since "bent" is generally viewed as correct English. The use of "bended" is actually archaic; "bent" emerged around the 1600s, but "bended" has been retained specifically in this phrase since then. The term "on bent knee" is also correct, although it sounds slightly less exciting and romantic.
People often kneel to pray or ask for favors.
The implication of bending or kneeling is that the person who is bending is submitting. People often adopt bent positions to pray, indicating a submission to God's will. People have also historically bent to mark respect for and submission to people who are of a higher social rank. This has been especially true in circumstances in which people wish to request something, such as a boon of land, titles, or clemency from a lord historically.
When someone says that he or she made a request "on bended knee," the implication is that he or she asked as humbly as possible, in a way which might be said to be bordering on groveling or pleading. This would also suggest that he or she tried as hard as possible to ensure that the request would be granted, by indicating that the outcome of the request was entirely up to the person with the power to grant it.
There is not necessarily any shame in going to great lengths to make a request, especially when you are dealing with someone who has very traditional or formal values. Taking the steps to lay out a request clearly and politely is always a good idea if you want the request to be granted, and sometimes being especially submissive and deferential to someone can impress them with your earnest desire for them to grant your request. In most cases, you do not need to literally go on bended knee, unless your benefactor has an appreciation for dramatic flair. However, it is possible to go overboard; be careful about seeming obsequious when you request something, and make sure not to cross the line into artifice when making a request.
While people rarely literally kneel to make requests in the West anymore, there is one circumstance in which it is considered appropriate to ask for something on bended knee: a marriage proposal. The retention of the tradition of kneeling in this particular instance is probably related to the long formal traditions associated with engagements and marriage, and many people find it charming to be proposed to on bended knee. The tradition of kneeling to ask for someone's hand is a reminder of an era in which kneeling was a sign of deep respect, indicating an intense desire for something.
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Planch
I think that the whole culture of bowing and going down on bended knee is so beautiful; it's a shame that it's fallen so out of fashion.
I mean, come on, is there any girl out there who doesn't at some point in their life imagine a white knight going down on bended knee for her, or any guy that doesn't imagine one day going down on bended knee to propose to the one he loves?
I think that displays of humility and affection like that should make a definite comeback, along with chivalry in daily society. It would make daily life so much better -- and more interesting! -- for everyone involved.
I think you make a really good point about not over-doing the whole "on bended knee" thing. There are other ways to make a point about what you want, generally, and I know that many Western bosses would see a person going down on bended knee as overly-dramatic or just ridiculously obsequious, and be definitely not inclined to grant whatever request you were asking.
Or they would at least be very, very uncomfortable, which is not the best strategy to go for when you're making a request, at least in my experience.
I'm not really sure how that works in other cultures, but I would assume that most people don't literally go down on bended knee, even in cultures where humility is very valued. For instance, I know that many Japanese businessmen may bow while accepting a person's business card to show respect, but it's not like they're dropping down on one knee every time their boss comes in the room.
Do you guys know of any place where people actually regularly go down on bended knee for anything other than a marriage proposal?
I know that this is absolutely horrible, but whenever I hear the phrase "on bended knee" I always think of that Boyz 2 Men song "On Bended Knee" -- how bad is that that my pop culture consciousness is so powerful?
All that aside, I really did like this article -- I'm always surprised how much information you guys can dig up about the most random topics. For instance, I would have never thought about the difference between "bent" knee and "bended" knee, but now that you mentioned it, I'm always going to think about that.
All in all, very interesting article. Thanks guys!