Remind yourself of the portrait of the Knight. Discuss the
The general prologue is in effect a device to introduce us to the pilgrims of "The Canterbury Tales". With each subsection broken down into hierarchical tiers, the Knight is presented as ruling his own section of society with his squire subservient to him. A literally quite perfect soldier and general example of a gentleman, the knight receives ample praise from Chaucer, and he appears humble and reticent, attired in only the most simple and practical clothes. However is this an accurate depiction of the knight? Indeed Chaucer's over enthusiasm to present him as such could in fact be seen to taint this suggestion; could this be a satiric attack on the mercenary characteristics of the defenders of the Catholic Church, the promoters of the Christian faith?From the very first line of his depiction an immediate sense of dedication and honour is created of this knight. He is "a worthy man...he loved chivalrie, Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie". Chaucer here is seemingly presenting the knight as a symbol of valour, an embodiment of all the ideals embraced in knighthood summarised by "chivalrie". This effect is further compounded by "And therto hadde he ridden, no man ferre". The use of superlative clearly underlines
He only started to practice these "fro the time that he first bigan" indicating that for him chivalry is a necessity and is not in his nature. al the day" must be suppressed to attain social stature, thus resulting in the awkward relationship seen here between father and son. " Chaucer is beginning to disclose a second standard of judgement, not ethical but natural: an approval of vitality and self-confidence, which he sees represented in the "fresshe floures, white and reede" that decorate the Squire's gown. As he is not a true symbol of the values of nobility he is arguably therefore a presentation of nobility itself as was true of Chaucer's own experience, an immoral man who in fact is merely 'in love' with the idea of "chivalrie, Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie". Hoffman's opinion that the knight was merely 'meek and quiet', a man of disciplined and tutored love. " Although he is the son of a nobleman, he must act the servant to his father. He is himself reminiscent of the opening section of the General Prologue: "Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote". The fact that no "Cristen man so ofte of his degree" had raided foreign treasures perhaps suggest an inverse relationship with social stature and piety in that the Knight being at the top of the social hierarchy has the least moral qualms with murder and plunder. The description of his physical appearance, more detailed than the Knight's, is brought to life by one of the impulsive, emphatic statements which summarize the whole individuality of the pilgrim: "He was as fresh as is the month of May. It is entirely feasible that Chaucer the poet is creating a standard that all knights must adhere to, and thus due to his own experiences abroad in the hundred years war, this perfection seems to indicate a somewhat satirical attack on the militaristic disposition, an indication of its perhaps undesirable and mercenary qualities: "He nevere yet no vileynie ne saide. In light of this realisation an array of phrases become apparent and satirical: "This ilke worthy knight hadde been also Sometime with the Lord of Palatie Again another hethen in Turkey. The pastoral imagery is overwhelming here and suggests birth and rejuvenation in the Squire which could be interpreted as a sexual awakening or more suitably the cycle of life, where his father who is aging and somewhat at peace with himself is to be replaced by the young vibrant son. This to a degree is true but does not bridge the Knight's true character.
Common topics in this essay:
Catholic Church,
Arthur Hoffman's,
Whan Aprill,
Ruce Cristen,
Canterbury Tales,
Indeed Knight,
Knight Chaucer,
Turkey Knight,
Indeed Chaucer's,
,
cristen ofte degree,
cristen ofte,
trouthe honour fredom,
ofte degree,
trouthe honour,
chivalrie trouthe,
mercenary characteristics,
true character,
chivalrie trouthe honour,
fredom curteisie,
honour fredom curteisie,
honour fredom,
social stature,
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Acceptance Essays
