The KnightThe Knight’’ s s TaleTale

Mr. SchwarzMr. Schwarz

Medieval English Literature and Culture Medieval English Literature and Culture 2014 Fall 2014 Fall

I. Plot I. Plot SummarySummary Theseus’ returning from Amazon Theseus’ returning from Amazon

Discovery of Arcite and Palamon Discovery of Arcite and Palamon Courtly love to EmilyCourtly love to Emily Escape of the two imprisoned Escape of the two imprisoned

knights knights The encounter of Arcite and The encounter of Arcite and

PalamonPalamon A just duel between the two A just duel between the two

knights knights The final destiny of the knightsThe final destiny of the knights

II. Courtly II. Courtly LoveLove Having quarrelsHaving quarrels

* Arcite: * Arcite: ““ yours is no more than a religious yours is no more than a religious

felling: mine is real love, love of human felling: mine is real love, love of human being. being.”” (p.30) (p.30)

* Arcite :* Arcite :”” Love is a mighter law, upon my Love is a mighter law, upon my soul, than any made by any mortal rule. soul, than any made by any mortal rule.”” (p.30) (p.30)

Arcite’s modified name -- PhilostratusArcite’s modified name -- Philostratus Palamon’s escapePalamon’s escape Fighting in the woodFighting in the wood Competing in the arenaCompeting in the arena Arcite’s contribution to loveArcite’s contribution to love

III. GodIII. God’’ s Power v.s. s Power v.s. Human WillHuman Will

Human beingHuman being’’ s wills will * * praying to gods for fulfilling praying to gods for fulfilling

their their wishes wishes

Palamon Palamon Venus, praying for winning Venus, praying for winning Emily Emily

Emily Emily Diana, praying for keeping her Diana, praying for keeping her virginity virginity

Arcite Arcite Mars, praying for achieving Mars, praying for achieving victory in the duel victory in the duel

* s* succeeding in pleading to save ucceeding in pleading to save liveslives Theban women Theban women husbands husbands

Perotheus Perotheus ArciteArcite Court women Court women Arcite and PalamonArcite and Palamon

God’s PowerGod’s Power * * hholding power over human olding power over human

being’s being’s destiny destiny

Arcite’s deathArcite’s death * quarreling over the winner* quarreling over the winner TThe dispute between Venus and Marshe dispute between Venus and Mars

Aegeus and TheseusAegeus and Theseus Ascribing Arcite’s death to Ascribing Arcite’s death to the the unchangeable law of human unchangeable law of human lifelife * * Jupiter the King governs Jupiter the King governs human lifehuman life * Every life has an end * Every life has an end Aegeus: Aegeus: ““This world is but a thoroughfare of woe,This world is but a thoroughfare of woe, And we are pilgrims, traveling to and fro. And we are pilgrims, traveling to and fro. All earthly troubles have an end in death. All earthly troubles have an end in death.”” Theseus: Theseus: ““In the case of men and women, it’s clear In the case of men and women, it’s clear alsoalso That at one time or another, they must go; That at one time or another, they must go; …It can …It can’’t be helped, for all go the same way.t be helped, for all go the same way. And so I can affirm all things must die. And so I can affirm all things must die.””

* * Death with good-name is the Death with good-name is the most most honorable honorable Theseus: Theseus: ““The man who dies in his life’s prime and The man who dies in his life’s prime and flowerflower While sure of his good name, wins most honour, While sure of his good name, wins most honour, …And his friend ought to be …And his friend ought to be Gladder of his death when it Gladder of his death when it’’s with honour hes with honour he Yields up his latest breath, than when his name Yields up his latest breath, than when his name Has faded in the course of age and time, Has faded in the course of age and time, When all his former prowess is forgotten. When all his former prowess is forgotten.””

IV. Image of IV. Image of WomenWomen

EmilyEmily * * the gazed objectthe gazed object * a prize to men* a prize to men The Theban women & the The Theban women & the

court court women women

* pleaders* pleaders

V. QuestionsV. Questions Who is in the worse situation, Arcite Who is in the worse situation, Arcite

or Palamon? or Palamon? * Arcite, who is free, but will never see his * Arcite, who is free, but will never see his

beloved.beloved. * Palamon, will see his lover everyday, but is * Palamon, will see his lover everyday, but is

imprisoned imprisoned Does the concept of destiny change in Does the concept of destiny change in

the the end of the Knight’s tale? How does it end of the Knight’s tale? How does it change? change?

VI. Ideas

1. Is something more to "The Knight's Tale?"

2. For Chaucer's knight, the universe is not friendly to human beings. It is at best indifferent, and at worst actively hostile.

3. The knight is struggling to live a good life although (or perhaps because) he no longer believes in the comforts of religion.