Geoffrey Chaucer's The Knight's Tale

A few facts:

In the General Prologue, Chaucer mentions that among all the pilgrims, The Knight is the one who has the highest social rank, and would form the upper class.

It’s the first tale in the Canterbury Tales

In writing this Tale, Chaucer was influenced by Boccaccio’s epic poem Teseida. However, the tale of the Knight does not have epic conventions. Instead, it pertains to the genre of romance, and touches upon themes such as courtly love. 

It is written in heroic couplets. 

SUMMARY:

Section 1: The Two Theban Knights

The story begins with Duke Theseus of Athens, who, after conquering the Amazons and marrying their queen, Hippolyta, returns home with his new wife and her sister, Emily. On their way back, they encounter a group of weeping women who beg Theseus to avenge their husbands, who were killed by Creon, the ruler of Thebes.Theseus agrees to help and marches to Thebes, where he defeats Creon and liberates the women's husbands' bodies for proper burial. Among the captured soldiers are two knights, Palamon and Arcite, who are cousins and sworn brothers. They are imprisoned in Athens, where they both fall in love with the beautiful Emily, whom they see from their prison tower.

Arcite is eventually released due to the intervention of a friend but is banished from Athens. Despite his freedom, he is tormented by his love for Emily, knowing he cannot see her. Meanwhile, Palamon remains in prison, equally tortured by his love for Emily.

Section 2: The Competition for Emily

Arcite returns to Athens in disguise, taking up a job as a servant in Emily's household so he can be near her. Palamon eventually escapes from prison, and the two cousins meet in a grove where they both profess their love for Emily and challenge each other to a duel.

Theseus discovers them fighting and initially condemns them to death. However, after pleas from the women and considering their noble love for Emily, Theseus decides to organize a formal tournament instead. Each knight will gather a hundred men, and the winner of the tournament will marry Emily.

The preparations for the grand tournament begin. Both knights pray for victory: Palamon to Venus, the goddess of love, for Emily's hand, and Arcite to Mars, the god of war, for success in the battle. Emily, meanwhile, prays to Diana, the goddess of chastity, asking for peace and to remain unmarried if possible. The gods seem to be in conflict, as Venus and Mars both promise success to their devotees. The scene is set for a dramatic and fateful tournament.

Section 3: The Tournament

The day of the tournament arrives, and it's a grand spectacle. Theseus has constructed a magnificent arena for the event, complete with temples dedicated to Venus, Mars, and Diana. Palamon and Arcite each assemble a team of one hundred knights. The rules are clear: the winner will be the one who captures or kills his opponent.

The tournament begins, and it's a fierce battle. Palamon fights bravely for his love, Emily, while Arcite shows his prowess on the battlefield. Despite the intense competition, Arcite ultimately emerges victorious, capturing Palamon. It seems like Arcite will win Emily’s hand in marriage.

However, in a twist of fate, just as Arcite is celebrating his victory, he is thrown from his horse and mortally wounded. As he lies dying, Arcite speaks to Emily, expressing his undying love for her and his wish for Palamon to marry her if he cannot. He also acknowledges Palamon's worthy character and their bond as cousins and friends.

This dramatic turn of events showcases the themes of fortune and destiny, emphasizing how unpredictable life can be. 

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Section 4: The Resolution

With Arcite’s death, the story takes a somber turn. Theseus, displaying his wisdom and sense of justice, decides to honor Arcite’s last wish. He arranges a grand funeral for Arcite, where all the knights and nobles gather to pay their respects. After a period of mourning, Theseus speaks to Palamon and Emily, encouraging them to move past their grief and look toward the future. He explains that the gods have their own plans, and it was fate that brought them to this point. Theseus arranges the marriage of Palamon and Emily, believing it to be the right and just outcome.

Palamon and Emily eventually marry, and their union is portrayed as a harmonious and happy one. The tale concludes with a sense of closure, as love and justice ultimately prevail, despite the trials and tribulations faced by the characters. This resolution highlights the medieval belief in the balance between human effort and divine will.

Moral of the Story