1. The Knight’s Tale Mr. Schwarz Medieval English Literature and Culture 2014 Fall

2. I. Plot Summary  Theseus’ returning from Amazon  Discovery of Arcite and Palamon  Courtly love to Emily  Escape of the two imprisoned knights  The encounter of Arcite and Palamon  A just duel between the two knights  The final destiny of the knights

3. II. Courtly Love  Having quarrels * Arcite: “yours is no more than a religious felling: mine is real love, love of human being.” (p.30) * Arcite: “yours is no more than a religious felling: mine is real love, love of human being.” (p.30) * Arcite :”Love is a mighter law, upon my soul, than any made by any mortal rule.” (p.30) * Arcite :”Love is a mighter law, upon my soul, than any made by any mortal rule.” (p.30)  Arcite’s modified name -- Philostratus  Palamon’s escape  Fighting in the wood  Competing in the arena  Arcite’s contribution to love

4. III. God’s Power v.s. Human Will  Human being’s will * praying to gods for fulfilling their wishes * praying to gods for fulfilling their wishes Palamon  Venus, praying for winning Emily Palamon  Venus, praying for winning Emily Emily  Diana, praying for keeping her virginity Emily  Diana, praying for keeping her virginity Arcite  Mars, praying for achieving victory in the duel Arcite  Mars, praying for achieving victory in the duel

5. * succeeding in pleading to save lives Theban women  husbands * succeeding in pleading to save lives Theban women  husbands Perotheus  Arcite Perotheus  Arcite Court women  Arcite and Palamon Court women  Arcite and Palamon  God’s Power * holding power over human being’s destiny * holding power over human being’s destiny Arcite’s death Arcite’s death * quarreling over the winner * quarreling over the winner The dispute between Venus and Mars

6.  Aegeus and Theseus Ascribing Arcite’s death to the unchangeable law of human life * Jupiter the King governs human life * Every life has an end Aegeus: “This world is but a thoroughfare of woe, And we are pilgrims, traveling to and fro. All earthly troubles have an end in death.” Theseus: “In the case of men and women, it’s clear also That at one time or another, they must go; …It can’t be helped, for all go the same way. And so I can affirm all things must die.”

7. * Death with good-name is the most honorable Theseus: “The man who dies in his life’s prime and flower While sure of his good name, wins most honour, …And his friend ought to be Gladder of his death when it’s with honour he Yields up his latest breath, than when his name Has faded in the course of age and time, When all his former prowess is forgotten.” * Death with good-name is the most honorable Theseus: “The man who dies in his life’s prime and flower While sure of his good name, wins most honour, …And his friend ought to be Gladder of his death when it’s with honour he Yields up his latest breath, than when his name Has faded in the course of age and time, When all his former prowess is forgotten.”

8. IV. Image of Women  Emily * the gazed object * the gazed object * a prize to men * a prize to men  The Theban women & the court women * pleaders * pleaders

9. V. Questions  Who is in the worse situation, Arcite or Palamon? * Arcite, who is free, but will never see his beloved. * Arcite, who is free, but will never see his beloved. * Palamon, will see his lover everyday, but is imprisoned * Palamon, will see his lover everyday, but is imprisoned  Does the concept of destiny change in the end of the Knight’s tale? How does it change?

10. VI. Ideas  1. Is something more to "The Knight's Tale?"  2. For Chaucer's knight, the universe is not friendly to human beings. It is at best indifferent, and at worst actively hostile.  3. The knight is struggling to live a good life although (or perhaps because) he no longer believes in the comforts of religion.