Chaucer's The Knight's Tale
Jonathan Zaun
The societies which flourished throughout Europe during the medieval period were built upon a foundation of institutionalized honor known as chivalry. Orders of knighthood were established throughout the region which sought to produce exemplary soldiers and leaders of men. Medieval knights earned membership to this warrior class by defending their nation from external threats while always striving to uphold a personal code of conduct. The concept of chivalry emerged to encompass the entirety of a knighthood's commitment to virtue, at once describing his proficiency on the battlefield, his willingness to protect a woman's honor, and the supreme loyalty he pledged to his liege. A chivalrous knight was expected to demonstrate prowess in the art of combat, honesty and truth in his dealings with others, honorable behavior when confronting his enemies, and freedom from the hold of worldly possessions; displaying a courtly manner while seeking to attain true glory for country and crown. Geoffrey Chaucer's collection of stories, The Canterbury Tales, was written during the height of the medieval era and begins with The Knight's Tale, an epic poem which lauds the concept of chivalry throughout its prose while displaying the six components of knighthood in vivid detail.
Although expected to perform a wide range of duties, the knight's first priority was always the ability to vanquish a foe in fair combat. A knight's reputation and family name were defined by the prowess he exhibited during the heat of battle....
Chaucer recognizes the importance of martial prowess within the confines of knightly chivalry, beginning The Knight's Tale by describing Theseus' as "such a conqueror that greater there was not beneath the sun (Chaucer 1)." By describing the duke of Athens and the "full many a rich country he had one," Chaucer immediately establishes the legitimacy of Theseus' chivalry by crediting him with victories in battle. Chivalry is further defined by a knight's sense of truth and his ability to live up to any and all commitments made. When Theseus encounters a group of grieving women on his journey, he reacts to their tale of woe by "giving them comfort understandingly" before he "swore his oath, that as he was a true knight, he would put forth so thoroughly his might." Chaucer describes the subsequent clash between Theseus and Creon by stating simply "he fought and slew him, manfully, like knight, in open war and put his host to flight." This portion of the Knight's tale reinforces Theseus' prowess while also establishing the truth of his word.
After conquering Thebes, Theseus' soldiers discover "two young knights lying together, side by side & #8230; pierced through with many a grievous, bloody wound." Although fully aware that these wounded knights, Arcita and Palamon, were "of Theban blood royal" and thus his rightful enemies, the Duke of Athens exhibits the honor inherent in knightly chivalry by choosing to spare the youths from execution. Theseus instead shows mercy on his defenseless enemies and orders Arcita and Palamon to be imprisoned; an…
