The+Knight

The Knight

Chaucer's Description
The Knight, the first character described in the prologue of Chaucer's //Canterbury Tales,// is a veteran of many wars across the world, and is a knight to a lord. He led troops into battle and always won. He was the most noble of all pilgrims, and of the highest social class, but he did not dress gaily. He wore a simple fustian smudged from his battle armor. He brought with him many a fine steed. He was noble, chivalrous, honest, loyal, wise, kind, generous and humble. Many people revered him as equal to loyalty, due do his battle prowess. If The Knight where alive today, he would mostl likely take up the occupation of a high ranking general, due to his success and experience in battle and reverence from the people who he surrounds.

Chaucer's Opinion of The Knight
Chaucer thinks very highly of The Knight. Foremost, Chaucer mentions him first in the story, not only due to his high social standing, but because of his noble and knightly qualities, which anyone would love. He mentions that he was " a worthy man, Who, from the moment that he first began To ride about the world, loved chivalry, Truth, honor, freedom and all courtesy." He also says that The Knight's liege-lord's war was full worthy, therefore making The Knight full worthy as well. Chaucer also mentions even though The Knight was "so illustrious, he was very wise."

**Physical Description**
Unfortunately, Chaucer neglects to mention any physical description of the The Knight. We can only assume, that The Knight, tall and strong in appearance, was the most attractive of the pilgrims. With a knightly haircut and prominent beard. But, to make The Knight seem more humble, Chaucer chose to not mention The Knight's strapping good looks.



The Knight's Tale, a Somewhat Brief Summary
Long ago in Ancient Greece. The story starts with a duke, Theseus, who ruled the city of Athens. He was riding along when four women knelt before him, weeping. They claimed their husband's, who were fighting for Athens during the siege of Thebes, bodies were returned by the city of Thebes. Theseus, outraged by this, marched towards Thebes to return the husband's body to their respective wives. He found two wounded enemy soldiers named Arcite and Palamon, out of kindness he imprisoned them in a tower for like instead of killing them. One spring morning Palamon peers out his tower window and sees Emelye, Theseus's sister-in-law and falls in love with her. Then Arcite fall in love with her and they dispute over who is more worthy and ultimately decided that they should end quarrel because their point was moot, for neither of them could ever have her. Perotheus, a friend to both Theseus and Arcite petitioned that Theseus release Arcite, Theseus agrees, but for ever banishes Arcite from Athens. Arcite returns to Thebes, jealous of the fact that Palamon can still look at Emelye through his window. While on the other hand Palamon believes Arcite will lay siege to Athens and take Emelye by force. Sometime later Arcite returns to Athens under disguise, and becomes a page in Emelye's chamber. In the woods one day Arcite finds Palamon who escaped, fighting over who is worthy of Emelye. They decide to duel each other the next day, to prove their worth. Theseus on a hunt, finds the two warriors fighting and Palamon explains the situation. Theseus is about to kill him when the ladies of his court tell him to spare Arcite and Palamon he decides to hold a tournament fifty weeks from that day. Arcite and Palamon are to face each other each with the 100 finest men they can gather. The winner will be awarded Emelye's hand in marriage. Theseus erects an arena for the tournament, surronded by three temples, each honoring a different god, Venus, the goddess of love, Mars the god of war, and Diana the goddess of chastity. Palamon and Arcite arrive with respective armies at their sides. The Sunday before the tournament Palamon goes to the temple of Venus and asks her to provide him victory in the name of love. Arcite the same day goes the temple of Mars and asks him to provide him victory. Emelye goes to the temple of Diana desirous to stay a virgin. Palamon and Arcite face each other and appear to be evenly matched. Arcite see's an opening and strike Palamon and bring him to the stake. Arcite and during his victory lap falls off his horse, due to a tremor caused by Saturn, and dies shortly after. Before Arcite dies he tells Emelye that if she where to marry, that she should marry Palamon, because he is knightly as well. Palamon and Emelye continue mourning as the years pass, dressing in all black. Theseus berates them for grieving too much and tells them they need to accept death. The requests them to cease mourning and for Palamon to take Emelye's hand in marriage. They obey and Emeley and Palamon enjoy a long, loving, and happy marriage.