"The Knight's Tale"

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The Knight described through his own narrative in “The Knight’s Tale” is consistent with Chaucer’s satire of the “worthy Knight” described in the General Prologue. Through the Knight’s story, the reader is given insight into those ideals truly valued by the Knight, and is found to not exactly live up to the standards of the “ideal knight” which he is often assumed to embody. While the knight truly values the ideals of chivalry; including “Trouth and honour, freedom and curteisye,” through “The Knight’s Tale” one learns of his true passions for riches and fame, and excitement of combat; cravings which are masked by the knight’s “love and devotion to chivalry.” The reader also learns that the knight’s devotion to religion isn’t as pure and righteous as it might outwardly appear.

At the beginning of the knight’s story, he describes the Duke Theseus, who was the ruler of Athens and “so great a conqueror There were none mightier beneath the sun.” The Knight makes special note of Theseus’ “pennon of renown” that “Shone rich with gold” which he received for slaying the Minotaur in Crete. This description shows the knight’s interest in gold and riches, as well as the glory of battle. The Knight goes on to describe Theseus’ conquer on Creon, in which he “slew him manfully” and became a knight, showing again the Knight’s glorification of battle and merciless death. Later in his tale, the Knight describes the vow Arcite and Palamon agree to fight each other for the right to Emily. Arcite says to Palamon, “you are an honourable knight willing by battle to decide your claim,” glorifying this barbaric act through knightly values. The Knight describes the fight between the two, describing how “They fought till they were ankle-deep in blood,” comparing the two to vicious animals, and showing his own interest and approval of it. After Theseus arrives, he determines that he will spare their lives, and they will be able to battle for the hand of Emily in marriage. He describes, “To this I give my name, My faith and honour, as I am a knight, Whichever of you proves greater might…Can drive his foe to stake, or take his life, To him I shall give Emily to wife.” This decision shows how the knight’s brutality and love of battle is masked by his “duty” to uphold chivalry, faith, and honor.

To further show the Knight’s interest in riches and personal monetary success, the Knight gives an extremely long and detailed description of the kings who come to view the battle, and their riches. He describes the “gold chariot” that the King of Thrace rides in on, as well as his coat that “was bright with many precious stones of fiery light, with finest rubies and with diamonds.” He also describes all the possessions of Emetrius the Indian king, with his “saddle of new-beaten, burnished, gold” among many other riches. These detailed descriptions of valuable material possessions greatly contrasts the descriptions he makes in the rest of his narrative, and shows that the Knight’s true interests lie in material wealth. The Knight also greatly glorifies the battle between Arcite and Palamon, describing the nobility and righteousness of the ordeal. Also, after Arcite is mortally wounded after falling from his horse, the Knight says, “It was a jousting, just a tournament. Why should they be discouraged? After all, it’s only an accident to have a fall,” showing the Knight’s true lack of concern for death in battle his true interest only in the “glory” of the battle itself.

The Knight’s lack of religious devotion to the church, which he fights to supposedly defend, is shown to be quite obvious in his narrative. The Knight makes little or no mention at all of God’s influence in the events surrounding his tale, but rather directs the influence to that of the pagan Greek gods. In describing the imprisonment of Arcite and Palamon, it is described, “Fortune has given us this adversity, some wicked planetary dispension, some Saturn’s trick or evil constellation has given us this, and Heaven, though we had sworn the contrary, so stood when we were born.” This statement shows the Knight’s disbelief in God’s role in the events and fate of the universe; instead blaming the misfortunes on “wicked planetary dispensation” or a trick of the gods. Also, the Knight’s false faith in the Catholic religion is shone by his extensive descriptions of the temples of the Greek gods. He describes the statues and portraits of the gods, “glorious in majesty,” as creations erected in devotion to the gods, and whom the people entrust their fate in. The Knight describes that is the decision of the pagan gods that ultimately determines the fate of the two knights. The Knight’s lack or religiousness is proven when he describes the death of Arcite, telling, “His spirit changed its house and went away where I came from � where I cannot say, and so am silent. I am no divine. Souls are not mentioned in this tale of mine.” This statement shows the Knight’s lack of faith in the afterlife, and in his doubtfulness in the power of God; which is ironic because it is for God and his religion he supposedly fights valiantly for. This description of the Knight is again consistent with his description found in The General Prologue, where the Knight is described to fight on any side, solely for the thrill of the battle, without any regard to the purpose or religious affiliation of the people. Also, the Knight later describes after the Duke’s description of “The First Great Cause and Mover of all above”, “I need not quote authority or raise more proof than what experience can show,” which shows the reader the lack of faith in God the Knight possesses. The Knight does not believe in that which he has not seen himself, and that which he cannot prove from experience, showing his lack of faith.




Through “The Knight’s Tale,” the reader is given much insight into those ideals which are truly valued by the Knight. As one looks deeper, beyond the surface of the Knight’s strict code of chivalry and honor, his true motives for fighting and upholding chivalry are revealed. The Knight’s religion devotion, which he uses to mask his true love of riches and war, is proven to be very lacking, and only used as a cover-up by the Knight to appear admirable in his actions. Through his tale, the Knight’s falsehoods are truly revealed to the reader, and eventually become quite obvious.



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