The Canterbury Tales: A Character Sketch Of Chaucer's Knight
Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, written in approximately 1385,
is a collection of twenty-four stories ostensibly told by various people who are
going on a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral from London, England.
Prior to the actual tales, however, Chaucer offers the reader a glimpse of
fourteenth century life by way of what he refers to as a General Prologue. In
this prologue, Chaucer introduces all of the characters who are involved in this
imaginary journey and who will tell the tales. Among the characters included in
this introductory section is a knight. Chaucer initially refers to the knight
as "a most distinguished man" (l. 43) and, indeed, his sketch of the knight ...
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a great many places. He has seen military service in Egypt, Lithuania,
Prussia, Russia, Spain, North Africa, and Asia Minor where he "was of [great]
value in all eyes (l. 63). Even though he has had a very successful and busy
career, he is extremely humble: Chaucer maintains that he is "modest as a maid"
(l. 65). Moreover, he has never said a rude thing to anyone in his entire life
(cf., ll. 66-7).
Clearly, the knight possesses an outstanding character. Chaucer
gives to the knight one of the more flattering descriptions in the General
Prologue. The knight can do no wrong: he is an outstanding warrior who has
fought for the true faith--according to Chaucer--on three continents. In the
midst of all this contenton, however, the knight remains modest and polite. The
knight is the embodiment of the chivalric code: he is devout and courteous off
the battlefield and is bold and fearless on it.
In twentieth century America, we would like to think that we ...
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The Canterbury Tales: A Character Sketch Of Chaucer's Knight. (2004, October 30). Retrieved June 27, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Canterbury-Tales-Character-Sketch-Chaucers-Knight/16722
"The Canterbury Tales: A Character Sketch Of Chaucer's Knight." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 30 Oct. 2004. Web. 27 Jun. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Canterbury-Tales-Character-Sketch-Chaucers-Knight/16722>
"The Canterbury Tales: A Character Sketch Of Chaucer's Knight." Essayworld.com. October 30, 2004. Accessed June 27, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Canterbury-Tales-Character-Sketch-Chaucers-Knight/16722.
"The Canterbury Tales: A Character Sketch Of Chaucer's Knight." Essayworld.com. October 30, 2004. Accessed June 27, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Canterbury-Tales-Character-Sketch-Chaucers-Knight/16722.
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