Analysis Of The Knight And His Tale - 2835 Words

An Analysis of the Knight and His Tale in The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales, a poem consisting of several tales told by various pilgrims, is perhaps the most well known work of Geoffrey Chaucer. The Canterbury Tales Chaucer introduces the pilgrims in the general prologue many of the pilgrims in a satirical manner. In prologue to The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer introduces the Knight as â€Å"a true perfect gentle-knight,† (5) who exemplifies the code of chivalry. The tale that the Knight later narrates is appropriate because it tells of two knights fighting for the hand of the same maiden while remaining chivalrous. The image of a knight was not always romantic nor was it noble. It was not until after the Norman Conquest that the term â€Å"knight† began to signify nobility. As the image a knight shifted to represent an elite member of society, The Catholic Church developed a chivalric code in order to govern the behavior of knights. (Rogers 263-264). According to chivalric code, knights were bound to defend society, treat women with honor and respect, remain faithful to God, and exemplify courtly love, the desire or a need to serve a noble woman (Rogers 100). However, while most knights attempted to follow the chivalric code very few of them were able to become perfect knights (Corrick 35). The concepts of chivalry and a perfect knight are prominent in Chaucer’s description of the knight in the general prologue (Rogers100-101). Becoming a night worthy of such aShow MoreRelatedSir Gawain and the Green Knight, and One Thousand and One Nights1097 Words   |  4 PagesGreen Knight† and â€Å"One Thousand and One Night† both are marvelous works. The similarities between these Arabian tales and Sir Gawain and the Green night are very striking. The scholar Edward L. Risden in his analysis of â€Å"One Thousand and One Nights,† mentioned â€Å"Sir Gawain and Green Knight† and some of the main subjects of both of these tales. After reading Norton’s â€Å"Sir Gawain and Green Knight† and Geraldine Mccaughrean’s â€Å"Arabian Nights,† I intend to show that â€Å"Sir Gawain and Green Knight† was writtenRead MoreKnights Of The Middle Ages1692 Words   |  7 Pagesconduct and ethics to which all knights were held. These knights were bound by a code of honor. Each knight had to swear that he would defend â€Å"the weak, the poor, widows, orphans, and the op pressed. He was to be courteous, especially to women; brave; loyal to his leaders; and concerned about the welfare of his subordinates, or those of lesser rank and position† (Schlager par. 30). Knights of the Middle Ages were not always considered to be of high social status. Knights emerged in the late 900s as aRead MoreChaucer s The Man Of Law s Tale1269 Words   |  6 Pagesauthors to use rape in English literature (Schaus). 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While the pilgrims are gathered at the inn, Chaucer observes the pilgrims and records a descriptive account of twenty-seven of the pilgrims, which include a knight and a monk. When readingRead MoreThe Canterbury Tales : An Analysis Of Medieval Life By Geoffrey Chaucer939 Words   |  4 PagesCanterbury Tales: An Analysis of Medieval Life by Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales is strongly considered one of the greatest works in medieval literature. An admirer of Chaucer, and the author of Chaucer and the Fifteenth Century, H.S. Bennett describes Chaucer’s unique style as, â€Å"No detail was too small for him to observe, and from it he could frequently draw, or suggest, conclusions which would have escaped many.† While The Canterbury Tales was originally intended to be an epic poemRead More Summary and Analysis of The Millers Tale Essay1370 Words   |  6 PagesSummary and Analysis of The Millers Tale When the Knight had finished, everybody decided that he had told a noble story. The drunken Miller claims that he has a tale as noble as the one the Knight had told. The host tried to quiet the Miller, but he demanded to speak. He claims that he will tell the tale of a carpenter and his wife. His tale will be one of infidelity. The narrator attempts to apologize for the tale that will follow, admitting that the Miller is not well-bred and will thereforeRead MoreGender Oriented Analysis in Wife of Bath by Geoffrey Chaucer Essay1424 Words   |  6 Pagesmore in-depth discussion and gender-oriented analysis than the majority. She is in turn praised and criticized for her behavior and her worldview; critics can’t seem to decide whether she is a strong portrayal of 14th century feminism or a cutting mockery of the female sex. Both her tale and its prologue are riddled with themes of conflict and power struggle between the sexes, and the victor of this battle is not made explicit. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales being a parody of various societal conceptionsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Wife Of Bath 1660 Words   |  7 PagesThe Canterbury Fails: An Analysis of Misogyny in the Wife of Bath’s Tale At first glance, you wouldn’t think that the Wife of Bath’s tale is anything other than feminist. She is, undeniably, the only non-religious female character in The Canterbury Tales and therefore is the only character who is approached from a point of view that was generally uncommon. We don’t have many— or even any, as far as I’m aware— pieces of medieval literature written by or for women or with a main female protagonistRead MoreThe Wife Of Bath s Prologue1134 Words   |  5 Pagesfemale authority through â€Å"The Wife of Bath’s Tale.† Throughout the tale, a woman ultimately decides the outcome of a knight destined for death. When a knight is accused of raping a woman, the king is supposed to determine his fate and the consequences he would endure for his crime. The king diverts his authority and leaves the decision up to the queen, his wife. This is a direct shift in authorial power. In this example, a man had willingly gi ven away his beliefs and rights to a woman because he feltRead More Chaucers Canterbury Tales Essay - Women in The Wife of Bath1433 Words   |  6 PagesWomen in Chaucers The Wife of Bath Chaucers The Wife of Baths Prologue and Tale is a medieval legend that paints a portrait of strong women finding love and themselves in the direst of situations. It is presented to the modern day reader as an early tale of feminism showcasing the ways a female character gains power within a repressive, patriarchal society. Underneath the simplistic plot of female empowerment lies an underbelly of anti-feminism. Sometimes this is presented blatantly