Chaucers Canterbury Tales - Idealism in the Knights Tale Essay exampl

Idealism in the Knights tarradiddle Despite its glorified accounts of the chivalrous lives of gentlemen, the Knights Tale proves to be more than a tragically romantic saga with a happy ending. For beneath this guise lies an exploration into the trifling world of the days dismal class. Here, where physical substance is superseded by appearance, reality gives way to disillusi peerlessd canon and emotion is sacrificed for honor. Nave idealism emerges as the dominant characteristic of the seemingly perfect knight and we, as the reader, are asked to discern the effect of this fanciful quality on the story as a whole. To further investigate this argument one basic premise must be established as the groundwork Theseus is the character with whom the knight most closely associates himself. Upholding trouthe and honour in their conquests of battle and appalling rule, both epitomize the sacred rite of chivalrie. In the Knights Tale, nearly all the attri scarcees with which he is praised in the Prologue are directly used in correlation with the duke. Thus, the language and actions of Theseus throughout the story can be superimposed onto the knight. These connections, along with the selective narration of the knight, allow the reader to observe the essence of their chivalry and the disparities that exist in this lifestyle. Undoubtedly Chaucer intended this to be a biting attack on the aristocracy, which to so many seemed impeccable. Generalized and idyllic, the voice of the narrator offers the head start clue into the puzzle of the knight. With well-chosen words, he tiptoes through the plot, careful never to pass any judgement on the characters and their actions. His high language all but excludes ... ...ered a gypon Al bismotered with his habergeon, For he was late ycome from his viage, Works Cited and Consulted Elbow, Peter. How Chaucer Transcends Oppositions in the Knights Tale. Chaucer Review. Vol. 7. No. 2. Ed. Robert Frank. protoa ctinium Pennsylvania State University, 1972. Finalyson, John. The Knights Tale The Dialogue Of Romance, Epic, And Philosophy. Chaucer Review. Vol. 27. No. 2. Ed. Robert Frank. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University, 1992. Frost, William. An Interpretation of Chaucers Knights Tale. Chaucer Criticism. Vol. 1. Ed. Richard Schoeck. Notre Dame University of Notre Dame Press, 1960. Roney, Lois. Chaucers Knights Tale and Theories of Scholastic Psychology. Tampa University of South Florida Press, 1990. Spearing, A.C. The Knights Tale. London Cambridge University Press, 1966.