“The Knight” from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

Background Information on Knights The Knight is not of high social rank, and ranks just above the serf class in the feudal system. The Knight’s duty was to provide military service to their lords. Training of Knights was often done in houses other than their own in order to be sure that the training would be strict. When a boy’s training into knighthood was complete, he was “dubbed” or ceremonially tapped on his shoulder. Once knighted, the youth became a man with the title “sir” and the full rights of the warrior caste. Knighthood was grounded in the feudal ideal of loyalty and it entitled a complex system of social codes. Breaking any one of those codes would undermine not only the knight’s position but also they very institution of knighthood.

Background Info Continued… Chivalry – a system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights and gentlewomen. Precepts included, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Adhering to one’s oath of loyalty to the overlord. 2. Observing certain rules of warfare such as never attacking an unarmed opponent. 3. Adoring a particular lady (not necessarily one’s wife) was seen as a means of self-improvement. Revering and acting in the name of a lady was believed to make a knight better and braver. Courtly love was the term coined for such female worship.

Background Info Continued Courtly love in its ideal form was nonsexual and consisted of the following: 1. A knight might wear his lady’s colors in battle. 2. He might glorify her in words and be inspired by her. 3. Above all, the lady always remained pure and out of reach. She was “set above” her admirer just as the feudal lord was set above his vassel. 4. Such concepts obviously go against human nature, which provided poets and storytellers built-in drama for story telling. Source: Anderson, Robert. Elements of Literature: Sixth Course. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003. Print.

What the character is like… “…a most distinguished man” (43). “…when in Prussia, / In Lithuania he had ridden, and Russia, / No Christian man so often, of his rank. / When in Granada, Algeciras sank / Under assault, he had been there, and in / North Africa, raiding Benamarin; / In Anatolia he had been as well / And fought when Ayas and Attalia fell” (53- 60). “Just home from service, he had joined our ranks / To do his pilgrimage and render thanks” (79-80). The Knight is a famous and well-known man. The Knight is of Christian faith and has defended his Christian nation throughout the world. The Knight is very religious hence the fact he is joining the pilgrims on a pilgrimage.

How the character looks and dresses “He possessed / Fine horses, but he was not gaily dressed” (75-76). “He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark / With smudges where his armor had left mark” (77-78). The Knight has high quality and high bred horses, which illustrates he is of a higher class but, even though he is of high class, he is not showy which is illustrated by the fact he is not gaily dressed. He wears a dark tunic that is made of coarse cloth and has many stains and smudges from armor, which illustrates he is a warrior that has been around a long time. The stains are most likely from blood and the earth, while the smudges illustrate he is more worried about his duties than his appearance. Overall, the Knight is not flashy but more so a honorable, loyal warrior who is more concerned with deeds then appearances.

Character’s Words and Actions “In fifteen mortal battles he had been / And jousted for our faith at Tramissene / Thrice in the list and always killed his man” (63-65). “He had done nobly in his sovereign’s war / And ridden into battle, no man more, / As well in Christian as in heathen places” (47-49). The Knight has fought in fifteen battles and always is victorious against his opponent. He was active during and fought in the Holy Crusades. The Knight’s actions in war are noble and fair.

Character’s Thoughts and Feelings “He never yet a boorish thing had said / In all his life to any, come what might; / He was true, a perfect gentle-knight” (72-74). “From the day on which he first began / To ride abroad had followed chivalry, / Truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy” (44-46). The Knight never speaks ill mannerly or crudely to anyone. He is a well- bred and considerate knight. He values and follows chivalry which follows being truthful, moral, kind, and courteous. Therefore, the Knight is a man that believes in the principles of knighthood strongly.

How Other People Respond to the Character “He was of sovereign value in all eyes. / And though so much distinguished, he was wise / And in his bearing modest as a maid ” (69-71). “He often sat at table in the chair / Of honor, above all nations” (52-53). “And ever honored for his noble graces” (50). The Knight is of supreme value in all that know him. His deeds and actions have created fame for the Knight and he is known and revered by many. When the Knight is at a table for a special event, a chair of honor was always reserved for him. Therefore, people cherish, respect, and pay tribute to him. He is honored by all that know him for his noble graceful nature.

Personality from Complexion and Body Type Unfortunately, no complexion info is given about the Knight. Therefore, no more characterization is given.

Morality of the Knight The Knight appears to be a God-like character in that the narrator almost appears to more or less worship the Knight. No moral flaws are exposed. The Knight does not suffer any faults in the deadly sins. Wrath = the Knight appears to be very controlled and just in his battles. Greed = the Knight appears to care less about flashy possessions and materialism which is evident through his armor and clothing. Sloth = the Knight appears very motivated and active. Pride = the Knight is depicted as humble and down to earth. Lust = the Knight appears to respect and honor the principles of knights. Therefore, he would follow courtly love which is not lustful in nature. Envy = Envy/jealousy does not appear to be feeling of the Knight. Gluttony = over indulgence and over consumption are not issues the Knight has.

What the Characterization of the Knight Implies About the Time Period The Middle Ages was riddled with battles. Particularly, the Holy Crusades which were a series of wars waged by European Christians against the Muslims in attempts to gain control of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Knights appeared to be highly respected and treated with respect during the Middle Ages. The author appears to have respect and admiration of knights.

Type of Tale the Knight May Tell Considering the characterization of the Knight thus far, the Knight may tell a tale about prior conquests and battles. The tale would probably be very moral based and potentially involve Christ-like characters and stories. For instance, the Knight may tell a tale of one of his battles during the Holy Crusades. The tale would most likely tell about one of his victories and leave the reader/listener of the tale with some kind of moral teaching.