The Knight is the first teller in Canterbury Tales, as any other knight, he is the representation of honor, courtesy, truth, bravery, gallantry, and most importantly, a Christian figure. To show that, the tale is full of different references to Christianism, the Chivalry Code of Knights, and somewhat a peculiar representation of Courtly Love. Hence, the Knight is perhaps used as the first narrator to portray the importance of his character among others. Besides, the knights’ faith in God and duty to protect the weak and be against injustice and evil contributes a lot to the representation of the Church and the Christian beliefs that should be followed by everybody.

First and foremost, as revealed by the prologue of the tales, we are following a pilgrimage and its purpose is to persuade us to have faith in God. This is why there are different allusions to God and Thomas Becket who was killed in Canterbury, such as – “to seek the Holy” (p. 40). Consequently, the tomb of Becket in Canterbury became a place of pilgrimages as tales. Moreover, Chaucer is supposedly part of this pilgrimage, and he admires knights so much. For this reason, he decided to begin the main story with a knight. Additionally, he wrote other tales that represent the complete opposite to what a knight should stand for. For instance, we have low comedy in The Miller’s Tale and The Merchant’s Tale, they are full of vulgar jokes, cynical traits, and sexual desires; in the end, this sort of represents courtly love in a very dark and dull way. Undoubtedly, Chaucer must have used this contrast to depict the differences between what is right and what is wrong, the deadly sins against the moral virtues. Therefore, the knight as the first narrator and main character makes so much sense. We get to see what is right from the beginning, which allows us to point out easily what is wrong, and what goes against Christianism.

The representation of honor is all over the tale. However, it is important to highlight the beginning where Theseus is presented because we can acknowledge how powerful, faithful, and brave he is. The ruler of Athens, a mighty person who helps others. When the four women kneeled in front of him asking him for help, the oldest said – “your glory and honor do not grieve us at all” (p. 45). Implying that if he is such a magnificent figure, he should help them in their battle against Creon, lord of Thebes, and provide justice for the deaths of their husbands. From the own words of these women, Theseus is considered an honorable figure, and once he accepted to aid them, he was later described as well as “a faithful knight, that he would perform what was in his power to avenge them upon the tyrant Creon” (p. 47). Thus, determined to use his strength to defend the weak. Significantly, enacting the moral quality that leads to the fulfillment of one’s duties towards the helpless and also oneself, which is the best representation of honor. In the same way, this situation renders the third and tenth statement of the Code of Chivalry: Thou shalt respect all weaknesses and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the right and the good against injustice and evil.

Furthermore, regarding the Code of Chivalry the two enemy soldiers that Theseus found, “Of the two, one was named Arcite and the other knight was called Palamon” (p. 49). They are the representation of knights who were corrupted and went against their moral system, neglecting their duties by following the wrong figure, Creon. As mentioned previously, Chaucer made use of different strategies within the same tale or with the other tales to portray the contrast of good and evil. Consequently, besides having allusions to God, planets and constellations, we also have references to purgatory, hell, and the underworld. Emphasizing that doing bad things guarantees you a horrible life, and you should surrender in light of faith, follow the church values and praise God. After Theseus decides to imprison Arcite and Palamon, one of them puts into words – “Alas, the day that I was born! Now my prison is worse than before; already I am destined to dwell eternally, not in Purgatory but in Hell” (p. 59). Despite this, once they realize that both are in love with Emily, who is portrayed as Venus, the planet that represents beauty and love. They know one of them has to die for the other to be with the woman they love. Perhaps implying that the love of a woman could lead a man to the right path. A path of light, free of jealousy and regrets.

Thereupon, the moment Arcite is freed from prison on behalf of a friend, he believes to have a higher chance to marry Emily even though he was banished from Athens and could not see her. However, she is a noblewoman, the sister-in-law of Theseus, while Arcite and Palamon are just knights who did the wrong thing, and paid a high price for it, clearly not worthy of her. This “love triangle” could still represent courtly love. After Palamon escapes from prison and Arcite returns to Athens for the love of the lady, they encounter and want to kill each other immediately – “either you shall die, or will I” (p. 75). Nonetheless, Arcite was wearing armor and had a weapon to fight, whereas Palamon had nothing. Arcite thought it would not be a fair fight, alluding to the Code of Chivalry, where it is said that they vowed to guard the honor of all fellow knights. After all, both of them were once knights. The truth was that both had to be able to defend themselves, that is why Theseus found out and set a battle between them to marry Emily. The winner would obtain what he wanted, marry Emily, the most beautiful woman in Athens, the love of his life. Yet, she did not feel the same way, she was being arranged to a marriage and did not want to be the reason one human being would die. So, she prayed to God and begged God – “Send love and peace between the two of them, and so turn their hearts away from me” (p. 109). She was clearly afflicted and felt awful. As it was expected, the battle took place and Arcite “won.” However, he was injured so badly that he ended up dying; thus, Palamon married Emily.  

To summarize everything that has been stated so far, the reason Geoffrey Chaucer decided to make ‘The Knight’ the narrator of the main story is because he admired knights and their Code of Chivalry. As well as their moral system, the faith they had toward God and the church values. He used the knight as a representation of what is right and good to contrast all the evil traits of other people. The tale has references to honor, the chivalry code, and courtly love. Regarding honor, the character of Theseus represents how honorable a knight can be, determined to help to support the weak. Such a brave and mighty figure that would use his power to avenge and protect who needed him without hesitation. Hence, fulfilling his duties while staying loyal to his values. Furthermore, the Code of Chivalry is referenced. Chaucer made use of the characters Arcite and Palamon to accentuate how Theseus was the precise definition of a good knight who stayed truthful to the code. Meanwhile, Arcite and Palamon ended up imprisoned for their mistakes. Implying that they should pray to God to escape the Hell in which they were living. Lastly, the beautiful Emily portrayed as Venus could be the answer to Arcite and Palamon to the path of light and forgiveness. Both of them were in love with her, but one had to die for the other to marry her. Therefore, an example of Courtly Love. Although Emily was not married and having an affair with one of them, it is still a courteous love triangle since she was a noblewoman who should not get involved with untruthful knights. At the end, their love was settled by a legitimate battle, as Arcite died and Palamon married Emily.

REFERENCES:

Hieatt, A. K., & Hieatt, C. (Eds.). (1964). The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1st ed.). Bantam Books.