Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of chivalry during medieval times. Using the story, "The Knight's Tale" by Chaucer, the writer shows how knights were expected to be chivalrous to women and men alike and of all status levels. The writer dispels the myth that knights were taught to be mighty in military tactics only, but instead emphasizes their social responsibilities, as well. Chivalry is greatly emphasized in the story as the entire plot concentrates on chivalric customs and values, thereby underscoring the significance of chivalry in the making of a true knight.

From the Paper
"Fair play was thus one of the main characteristics of chivalry but that wasn't the only one. Apart from fair play and complete adherence to rules, "principal representative of chivalry espouses a highly idealistic conception of the value of a good name" (Muscatine, 184). It was thus important for the knight to have a good reputation. Thus while bravery and valor were important and so was consideration for enemies, but establishing a good reputation in all manners possible was critical to chivalrous behavior."

Tags:medieval, round, table, women, men, dual, france, england

Abstract
The paper examines prowess, truth, honor, freedom, courtesy and glory as tenets of the chivalric code in "The Knight's Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer. The paper discusses how knights enacted these various traits in their roles as medieval warriors.

From the Paper
"The basis of Chaucer's view of Chivalry defines way and manner in which knights would defend the honor of a lady by always being courteous and gentle, regardless of the military might a knight may exude. Respect for women is clearly part of the chivalric code through courtesy and honor, which defends the love of a woman through a knight's actions and behaviors. The issue of knightly conflict between Palamon and Alcite occurs when lady Emily arouses both of their desire for love--often called courtly love. Jealousy mounts between the two men, who immediately site vows of honor and truth they took as knights to uphold their love for Emily."

Tags:military, might, power, respect, glory, honor, beauty, maiden

Abstract
This paper discusses how, even though "The Knight's Tale" is often regarded as addressing the chivalric code, the Christian undertones are, in fact, undeniable. To illustrate this point, the paper looks at how Chaucer, who was himself a Christian, establishes the Knight as one who has consistently been willing to sacrifice his life in the name of Christianity. The paper maintains that Chaucer's background, combined with the Knight's heroism leaves no doubt that "The Knight's Tale" is told from a Christian perspective. The paper then goes on to examine the attributes of Venus, Mars, and the Prime Mover in order to demonstrate that 'The Knight's Tale' is actually a Christian commentary against polytheism.

From the Paper
"In addition to Venus, Mars is also subjected to Christian ridicule. First, the storyteller describes the attributes of Mars. "There stood the temple of Mars, of warlike will" (100). Also, "There on the wall were painted the dark tasks / That Felony images; Anger, red ... the treachery that murders men in bed / The killer of himself was also there;/his own hearts what and splattered on his hair...(101). Mars, the supreme ruler of war, is described in extremely violent terms which stand in opposition to the Christian value of love. Next, the reader learns what type of guiding force Mars is. "A thousand slain, and not by pestilence; /and destroyed, were not a thing remained;" (101). Total destruction and genocide is the will of Mars. "

Tags:venus, mars

Abstract
This paper explores Geoffrey Chaucer's view of chivalry in "A Knight's Tale." The paper notes that Chaucer's view of chivalry defines the way and manner in which knights would defend the honor of a lady by always being courteous and gentle, regardless of the military might a knight may exude. The paper explains that espect for women is clearly part of the chivalric code through courtesy and honor, which defends the love of a woman through a knight's actions and behaviors.

Tags:medieval, ladies, fight, honor

Abstract
This paper introduces Geoffrey Chaucer's "Knight's Tale" and the roles of men, women and love in the story. The concepts are explored through an examination of the characters and story with examples from the text. Chaucer's portrayal of women in his other works is considered.

From the Paper
""Knight's Tale" is a story about two cousins, Arcite and Palamon and their love for the same woman " the beautiful Emelye " that leads them finally to battle for her. Both the story and the climax is most representative of the attitudes of the knights in those times to women and love (love was often seen linked to concepts of manhood, chivalry and honor.) Chaucer shows Arcite and Palamon battling (figuratively and literally) to win the hand of Emelye. The tournament is held "For love and for encrees of chivalrye" (2184).
The fact that Emelye, herself, is portrayed as wishing for maidenhood through her life and to that extent, indifferent to the courtship of both only adds further substantiation to the theory that perhaps Arcite and Palamon were more driven to prove their credentials as virile knights rather than their passion for Emelye."

Tags:Arcite, Palamon, Emelye, battle, manhood, chivalry, honor, maidenhood, courtship, beauty, power, desire

Abstract
This paper provides an introduction to "The Knight's Tale." Points of literary analysis are discussed, as well as mention of previous work that may have influenced Chaucer in his writing of this story. Theories of understanding the intended meaning of the story are offered.

From the Paper
""The Knight's Tale" is one of the most memorable in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." It tells the story of two young knights, Palamon and Arcite, who are imprisoned together in a tower, and both fall in love with the same girl, Emelye. Chaucer wrote it in Middle English, which, unlike Old English, is fairly easy to read and understand by modern readers. For example, at the end of the story, Chaucer has the lines, "The Firste Moevere of the cause above,/ Whan he first made the faire cheyne of love,/ Greet was th'effect, and heigh was his entente." For with that faire cheyne of love he bond/ The fyr, the eyr, the water, and the lond/ In certeyn boundes, that they may nat flee (The Knight's Tale, 2987?2993). They show Emelye why she must marry Palamon, and they are extremely poetic in their talk of "air, water, and land, and the fair chain of love." The meaning is not lost, even though the words may look unusual."

Tags:Boccaccio, Teseida, Crusades

Abstract
Geoffrey Chaucer is a well-known poet of the 14th century who worked for the king as a manager of societal and traditional events. Nonetheless, his poems are rooted with compassionate consideration towards women, the common people, and uniqueness as articulated through multicultural signs signifying states and religious convictions. This paper deals with the impact of pagan settings on the story "The Knight's Tale." To illustrate how fundamental the impact has been, this paper utilizes disjunctive mixtures of the story as its theme.

From the Paper
"Contemporary readers might consider that a narrative in which so many aspects of a story take place coincidentally is a weakly schemed story, without a doubt. However this is the exact point that Chaucer is attempting to make throughout this story. The functions of "Fortune" do have an accidental and unintentional method of running. How can humans tolerate such an inadequately structured universe? This is one manner of wording the major issue which the poem portrays (Minnis, 1982)."

Tags:Thebes, Talamon, Arcite

Abstract
This paper examines how "The Knight's Tale" addresses the medieval concerns of courtly love and the timeless dilemmas of fate and destiny. It looks at how Chaucer's great work, told in iambic pentameter, explores the competition between Arcite and Palamon for the hand of Emily, a captivating maiden. A duel ensues that will decide the winner in a climactic fight for love.

From the Paper
"The story told by the knight became a means by which Chaucer could manipulate the common held convention of courtly love. The usual characteristics of courtly romance are absent: Not only is the couple that eventually marries actually in love, but there are none of the common incidents of adultery that is often the major theme of courtly romances. The story does remain loyal to the medieval tradition of "love at first sight." If love between two people was to be successful, it was commonly believed, the attraction must be felt instantly. The influences of Destiny, Fortune and Chance were also highly recognized because the medieval world was believed to be a place of mortal woe. In a world where disease, famine and war were common occurrences, it is not surprising that medieval men and women grew fatalistic from the harsh realities of a difficult and short life."

Tags:Arcite, Palamon, Emily

Abstract
This paper attempts to understand and define the notion of pity, gentility, and nobleness in Chaucer's time as he wrote "The Canterbury Tales". The paper includes several scholarly sources which attempt to explain Chaucer's definition of what his idea of a noble or gentle man is. The paper includes observations from "The Knight's Tale", "The Merchant's Tale", "The Clerk's Tale" and "The Franklins' Tale", and all the sources from Chaucer are taken in Middle English.

From the Paper
"In his essay "Chaucer and Pite," Douglas Gray records the relevant meanings of pity taken from the NED current to Chaucer's time as: (1) The quality of being pitiful; the disposition to mercy or compassion, clemency, mercy, mildness or tenderness . . . (2) A feeling or emotion of tenderness aroused by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another, and prompting a desire for its relief; compassion, sympathy . . . (3) a ground or cause for pity . . . and (4) a condition calling for pity (Gray, 179). Pitee is used in various contextual manners in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Merchant's Tale, The Clerk's Tale, and The Franklins' Tale, but each time the word is used, it indicates feeling. Even when the word means grief in The Knight's Tale when the people mourn for Arcite's death- "Allas, the pitee that was ther"- rather than compassion or sympathy as it usually refers to, the word still appeals to feelings since grief involves intense emotions (2833). Like gentilesse, trouthe, or franchise, pitee is an important word for Chaucer since he often employs the word and in a way tries to define its essence through its repetitions."

Tags:english, noble, nobility, relationship, theseus, thebes, creon, compassion, empathy

Abstract
This paper addresses "The Knight's Tale" from Chaucer's in respect to the characterization of chivalry within the story.