1) The Knight is portrayed as a gentle, kind person who's never been rude to anyone, and who has fought and contributed in many battles that he's fought in. Seemingly, he is true and loved chivalry. So it seems his story is appropriate to his character. It is a love story, something that seems quite typical in stories involving Knights, and it encompasses honorable traits in it as well. With Palamon and Arcite, the two men fall in love with Emily and fight over her. Both men argue about who should get the lady, but later they try to settle everything with a proper fight. Instead of fighting without armor and weapons, the men hold off on the conflict and return the next day to properly fight for Emily. They agree to fight in a battle against one another, something Theseus suggests, and they follow through with that as well. They are men of their word and they don't do anything sneaky or underhanded to get what they want, something very knightly. They fight for the ideal love that is usually portrayed in stories of Knights, something very appropriate. When Arcite dies, a funeral is held in his honor. Everything is done appropriately with the utmost respect. This is why the Knight's story is appropriate to his character.
2) I'm sure there are some girls out there who would love for two men to fight over them, but what I find interesting is that no one gave Emily a chance to speak about whether she wanted either of the two men or not. Emily does pray to Diana asking that she be bound to no man, but if she must be, that it'd be the man who loves her the most. Clearly, she does not want to be in the middle of the fight between the two cousins, but she is not given a choice. Perhaps it was a trend of the time. Men would fight for their women and try to win their affection, but it's just so contradicting. If the lady is important enough to lay your life on the line, than surely her opinion must matter as well. Is one-sided love really worth all the trouble? Emily wasn't asked whether she wanted to be with either man, but instead Theseus offers her as the trophy without her consent. However, Palamon and Emily end up marrying, and according to the story, they live happily ever after.
When we first learn of the Knight in Chaucer’s General Prologue, we discover that he his a perfect knight in all ways. He admires chivalry and fights bravely. He was a very honorable knight who had achieved a lot. In line with his character, his tale is appropriate because it is one of bravery and chivalry. Both Palamon and Arcite fall in love with Emily, and both fall in love and long to be with her. They fight to win her love. Also, Theseus is an honorable ruler when he retrieves the bodies of the husbands the women were mourning over. He allowed them to have a proper burial when Creon had denied them. Many of the underlying themes in The Knight’s Tale reflect his introduction by the narrator in the General Prologue.
I think I was surprised most by the fact that although Arcite rightfully won the battle against his cousin, Palamon, and was destined by the rules to win Emily, Arcite tells Emily that if she is to marry, she should marry Palamon. His confession proved just how much he loved her, because he wasn’t selfish and didn’t think that if he couldn’t have her, no one could. He wanted her to be happy and knew that she could find it with Palamon. The fact that Palamon and Emily had a very happy marriage was surprising, but sweet, too.
1.) The Knight is described in the General Prologue as a noble, heroic man who “loved chivalry, truth and honor, liberality and courtesy.” (Lines 45-46). The knight’s tale includes all of the characteristics that are representative of himself in the General Prologue. His tale includes noble knights, the love of a lady and fighting for honor and courtesy.
In lines 1248-1250 of The Knight’s Tale, the knight states that the men who have volunteered to fight in Arcite’s army are lovers of chivalry and reputation who were happy to take part in the battle. As a participator in many wars himself, this description is evident of the virtues that Chaucer’s knight possesses.
2.) I find it most surprising that Emily was so distraught when Arcite was killed. It is very sad that he dies after winning her hand, but I find it somewhat strange that she had just prayed to Diana to remain a maiden, but as soon as Arcite wins, she becomes completely enamored by him and is overcome with grief at his death. I know it would take a lot more than winning a fight for me to fall in love with someone. However, I know I am judging Emily in modern times as opposed to the time this tale was written.
1. The title alone, The Knight’s Tale, gives the reader the impression that the story will hold some sort of chivalric meaning. The tale is appropriate to the character of the knight because it is indeed a tale about courtly love, and virtues such as honor and courtesy. The knight is described as a man who hold characteristics such as loyalty, courtesy, respect, as well as remaining a noble and heroic knight. The virtues of the knight are reflected in his tale.
2. Two things I found to be surprising within the love triangle is that Emily is pushed into excepting the winner of the fight to be her husband. She is never asked or really allowed to speak of her own true desires. The only way the reader knows of her true desire is through her prayer to Diana. This leads to the second thing I find surprising; that she morns for so long. She does not want to marry either of the men; then the second after the man that won her hand in marriage dies she is devastated and remains that way for a lengthy amount of time. I expected the tale to end in a happy, romantic way; which it does with the happy marriage between Palamon and Emily.
1. It's appropriate because the tale tests/highlights many of the main qualities of the Knight, described in the general prologue. His obedience to the code of chivalry is tested through out the story, the knights military career is put to the test when they fight for Emily, and in the end its his love for Emily and his respect for the all virtuous knights that Arcite expresses his love to Emelye, and then tells her that if she decides to marry another, she should remember Palamon, who possesses the qualities of a worthy knight—“trouthe, honour, knyghthede, / Wysdom, humblesse” (2789–2790).
Arcite's dying wish to see Emily mary the cousin he had just fought and beaten, if she decides to marry, was the twist of the story. Showing that even with death upon him Arcite still honored and respected the code of the knight and Palamon's dedication to it.
Gabby, I think you gave excellent and detailed examples of the Knight and how the tale relates to his character. I like that you pointed out that the genre of love stories were prevalent during this time period, or at least in what we have read so far. I completely agree with you that it is outrageous that Emily was never consulted, although it is her hand in marriage they were fighting over. You brought up a good point that the fight was organized and put into motion properly. I had not really thought about the fact that they are honorable, and do not try anything sneaky. All in all, the tale reflects virtues that the Knights character represents.
Like Gabby, you also brought up the idea of Arcite and Palamon neglecting to consult Emily in the matters of their hearts. Although they both had fallen in love with her, her side is never taken into consideration. As an audience, we don’t even learn of her own opinion until she prays to the goddess of chastity, Diana. I find it ironic that the two men are only concerned with fighting each other and do not even think about Emily’s feelings and whether or not she would even consider marrying one of them. They must be mighty proud of themselves to being so confident in believing she would be happy to marry either one. However, like Jill mentioned, I am judging a woman based off of the traditions and customs of modern day, not those of this particular time period.
I agree with you that once faced with his death, Arcite did uphold the chivalric code by telling Emily she should marry Palamon. However, I find it curious that Arcite picks and chooses when to uphold the knightly code.
Arcite breaks the code of courtesy by falling in love with Emily when Palamon loved her first, and claims that "all is fair in love." He also breaks his oath to Theseus by returning to Athens in disguise so that he can be close to Emily.
At other times, Arcite upholds his knightly honor by following the code, such as when he brings coats of armor so that he and Palamon can fight fairly. Is it possible that Arcite can be considered less honorable than Palamon because of his bending the rules to fit his own desires?
Your comment about Theseus being an honorable ruler rang a bell in my head. I completely forgot that he played the role of the hero at the beginning of the tale by saving the city and helping out the women who were devastated by Creon. So by adding Theseus to the equation, he's not some tyrant who only causes tension in the story by banishing Arcite, but he's also a ruler who rescued a city and is making the best choices he thinks is appropriate for the circumstances.
As well as your mentioning Arcite's last words, you're right about that being unselfish of him. It does tie in to the whole chivalric code aspect of a knightly tale so that even in death, Arcite still tries to hold true to his oath.
I think I was the only one who didn't find the fact that the opinion and desires of Emily are never really tended to or addressed, except for in her prayer to Diana. But I guess that shouldn't be to surprising considering I'm the only guy in this class. I just took it as a sign of the times and how women were thought of back then. Also, my first impression of Emily's emotional reaction to the death of Arcite is that she isn't so much morning the death of him in particular, rather she is more or less distraught over the idea that all this death has come as a result of her attractiveness.
10 comments:
1) The Knight is portrayed as a gentle, kind person who's never been rude to anyone, and who has fought and contributed in many battles that he's fought in. Seemingly, he is true and loved chivalry. So it seems his story is appropriate to his character. It is a love story, something that seems quite typical in stories involving Knights, and it encompasses honorable traits in it as well. With Palamon and Arcite, the two men fall in love with Emily and fight over her. Both men argue about who should get the lady, but later they try to settle everything with a proper fight. Instead of fighting without armor and weapons, the men hold off on the conflict and return the next day to properly fight for Emily. They agree to fight in a battle against one another, something Theseus suggests, and they follow through with that as well.
They are men of their word and they don't do anything sneaky or underhanded to get what they want, something very knightly. They fight for the ideal love that is usually portrayed in stories of Knights, something very appropriate. When Arcite dies, a funeral is held in his honor. Everything is done appropriately with the utmost respect. This is why the Knight's story is appropriate to his character.
2) I'm sure there are some girls out there who would love for two men to fight over them, but what I find interesting is that no one gave Emily a chance to speak about whether she wanted either of the two men or not. Emily does pray to Diana asking that she be bound to no man, but if she must be, that it'd be the man who loves her the most. Clearly, she does not want to be in the middle of the fight between the two cousins, but she is not given a choice. Perhaps it was a trend of the time. Men would fight for their women and try to win their affection, but it's just so contradicting. If the lady is important enough to lay your life on the line, than surely her opinion must matter as well. Is one-sided love really worth all the trouble? Emily wasn't asked whether she wanted to be with either man, but instead Theseus offers her as the trophy without her consent. However, Palamon and Emily end up marrying, and according to the story, they live happily ever after.
When we first learn of the Knight in Chaucer’s General Prologue, we discover that he his a perfect knight in all ways. He admires chivalry and fights bravely. He was a very honorable knight who had achieved a lot. In line with his character, his tale is appropriate because it is one of bravery and chivalry. Both Palamon and Arcite fall in love with Emily, and both fall in love and long to be with her. They fight to win her love. Also, Theseus is an honorable ruler when he retrieves the bodies of the husbands the women were mourning over. He allowed them to have a proper burial when Creon had denied them. Many of the underlying themes in The Knight’s Tale reflect his introduction by the narrator in the General Prologue.
I think I was surprised most by the fact that although Arcite rightfully won the battle against his cousin, Palamon, and was destined by the rules to win Emily, Arcite tells Emily that if she is to marry, she should marry Palamon. His confession proved just how much he loved her, because he wasn’t selfish and didn’t think that if he couldn’t have her, no one could. He wanted her to be happy and knew that she could find it with Palamon. The fact that Palamon and Emily had a very happy marriage was surprising, but sweet, too.
1.) The Knight is described in the General Prologue as a noble, heroic man who “loved chivalry, truth and honor, liberality and courtesy.” (Lines 45-46). The knight’s tale includes all of the characteristics that are representative of himself in the General Prologue. His tale includes noble knights, the love of a lady and fighting for honor and courtesy.
In lines 1248-1250 of The Knight’s Tale, the knight states that the men who have volunteered to fight in Arcite’s army are lovers of chivalry and reputation who were happy to take part in the battle. As a participator in many wars himself, this description is evident of the virtues that Chaucer’s knight possesses.
2.) I find it most surprising that Emily was so distraught when Arcite was killed. It is very sad that he dies after winning her hand, but I find it somewhat strange that she had just prayed to Diana to remain a maiden, but as soon as Arcite wins, she becomes completely enamored by him and is overcome with grief at his death. I know it would take a lot more than winning a fight for me to fall in love with someone. However, I know I am judging Emily in modern times as opposed to the time this tale was written.
1. The title alone, The Knight’s Tale, gives the reader the impression that the story will hold some sort of chivalric meaning. The tale is appropriate to the character of the knight because it is indeed a tale about courtly love, and virtues such as honor and courtesy. The knight is described as a man who hold characteristics such as loyalty, courtesy, respect, as well as remaining a noble and heroic knight. The virtues of the knight are reflected in his tale.
2. Two things I found to be surprising within the love triangle is that Emily is pushed into excepting the winner of the fight to be her husband. She is never asked or really allowed to speak of her own true desires. The only way the reader knows of her true desire is through her prayer to Diana. This leads to the second thing I find surprising; that she morns for so long. She does not want to marry either of the men; then the second after the man that won her hand in marriage dies she is devastated and remains that way for a lengthy amount of time. I expected the tale to end in a happy, romantic way; which it does with the happy marriage between Palamon and Emily.
1. It's appropriate because the tale tests/highlights many of the main qualities of the Knight, described in the general prologue. His obedience to the code of chivalry is tested through out the story, the knights military career is put to the test when they fight for Emily, and in the end its his love for Emily and his respect for the all virtuous knights that Arcite expresses his love to Emelye, and then tells her that if she decides to marry another, she should remember Palamon, who possesses the qualities of a worthy knight—“trouthe, honour, knyghthede, / Wysdom, humblesse” (2789–2790).
Arcite's dying wish to see Emily mary the cousin he had just fought and beaten, if she decides to marry, was the twist of the story. Showing that even with death upon him Arcite still honored and respected the code of the knight and Palamon's dedication to it.
Gabby,
I think you gave excellent and detailed examples of the Knight and how the tale relates to his character. I like that you pointed out that the genre of love stories were prevalent during this time period, or at least in what we have read so far. I completely agree with you that it is outrageous that Emily was never consulted, although it is her hand in marriage they were fighting over. You brought up a good point that the fight was organized and put into motion properly. I had not really thought about the fact that they are honorable, and do not try anything sneaky. All in all, the tale reflects virtues that the Knights character represents.
Mariah,
Like Gabby, you also brought up the idea of Arcite and Palamon neglecting to consult Emily in the matters of their hearts. Although they both had fallen in love with her, her side is never taken into consideration. As an audience, we don’t even learn of her own opinion until she prays to the goddess of chastity, Diana. I find it ironic that the two men are only concerned with fighting each other and do not even think about Emily’s feelings and whether or not she would even consider marrying one of them. They must be mighty proud of themselves to being so confident in believing she would be happy to marry either one. However, like Jill mentioned, I am judging a woman based off of the traditions and customs of modern day, not those of this particular time period.
Madison-
I agree with you that once faced with his death, Arcite did uphold the chivalric code by telling Emily she should marry Palamon. However, I find it curious that Arcite picks and chooses when to uphold the knightly code.
Arcite breaks the code of courtesy by falling in love with Emily when Palamon loved her first, and claims that "all is fair in love." He also breaks his oath to Theseus by returning to Athens in disguise so that he can be close to Emily.
At other times, Arcite upholds his knightly honor by following the code, such as when he brings coats of armor so that he and Palamon can fight fairly. Is it possible that Arcite can be considered less honorable than Palamon because of his bending the rules to fit his own desires?
Lisa,
Your comment about Theseus being an honorable ruler rang a bell in my head. I completely forgot that he played the role of the hero at the beginning of the tale by saving the city and helping out the women who were devastated by Creon. So by adding Theseus to the equation, he's not some tyrant who only causes tension in the story by banishing Arcite, but he's also a ruler who rescued a city and is making the best choices he thinks is appropriate for the circumstances.
As well as your mentioning Arcite's last words, you're right about that being unselfish of him. It does tie in to the whole chivalric code aspect of a knightly tale so that even in death, Arcite still tries to hold true to his oath.
Mariah Hill,
I think I was the only one who didn't find the fact that the opinion and desires of Emily are never really tended to or addressed, except for in her prayer to Diana. But I guess that shouldn't be to surprising considering I'm the only guy in this class. I just took it as a sign of the times and how women were thought of back then. Also, my first impression of Emily's emotional reaction to the death of Arcite is that she isn't so much morning the death of him in particular, rather she is more or less distraught over the idea that all this death has come as a result of her attractiveness.
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