The Knights Tale The Canterbury Tales

Historical Context Greek mythology helped the ancient Greeks to explain why and how things happened through various gods and characters Role of a knight was to served their king and queen and be devoted to them In return for a knight’s services, the king would give a reward Example: parcel of land or bed and meal at the king’s castle

Historical Context (cont.) Most knights did not take form of the things said in songs and poems Most knights were ignorant, brutal and began training at the age of 7 Knights were ranked by military power During war and competitions, they wore chain mail which were suits of armor (a mail coat was called a hauberk)

Summary The story takes place in Ancient Greece in the city of Athens and is about two cousins, Arcite and Palamon, who are also sworn brothers. Arcite and Palamon fall in love with the same women named Emelye. They have to fight one another to determine which one will get her love. Each one prays to a different God and supplicates for victory. Palamon visits Venus desperate for her help while Arcite visits Mars and asks for his help. In the end the one that is destined to win Emelye’s love will become the winner with the help of the Gods of course .

Who do you think will win this battle? Which God will overcome?

This will probably give you a better understanding of the story…..

Moral of the story: You can’t change destiny When something is meant to happen, it’s going to happen no matter what for example, these two characters go through the trouble of fighting each other in order to have one winner of Emelye’s love (which is Arcite) but in the end Palamon was destined to win. Which is why Arcite died leaving Emelye for Palamon how it was planned in the first place.

Analysis of the Tale Setting- Thebes, Athens Genre- The knights tale is a work of fiction set in the time period much Earlier than the one in which it was written. Tone-Epic, meaning high and grand Similes- His Sallow skin like ashes pale and cold. Now up, now down, like buckets in a well. Still fighting like two boars. Cruel Ire that burns till like a coal. So yellow it would glitter like the sun. His voice thundered like a trumpet's blow.

Analysis (cont.) Terminal Rhyme: By true descent I’m of the royal stock; Yet I’m just like a slave sold on the block; For he who is my mortal enemy Is whom I serve as squire so wretchedly. And evermore does Juno cause me shame, For I dare not to tell them my own name; Metaphor: Bright as a raven’s feather. Each one of them as big as any steer. …rubies sparkling red as fire.

Slow and steady wins the race!