THE KNIGHTS TALE

Author’s Biography

Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet and author. Widely considered the greatest English poet
of the Middle Ages, he is best known for The Canterbury Tales. He has been called the "father of
English literature", or, alternatively, the "father of English poetry". Wikipedia

Born: 1343, London, United Kingdom.

Died: 25 October 1400, London, United Kingdom.

Spouse: Philippa Roet (m. 1366–1387).

Movies: A Knight's Tale, The Canterbury Tales.

Children: Thomas Chaucer, Lewis Chaucer, Agnes Chaucer, Elizabeth Chaucer.

Elements of Prose

A. Characters
 Palamon
 Arcite
 Theseus
 Emily
B. Setting
 Ancient Medieval Greece
C. Plot
 A story about 2 brave knights that was imprisoned abandons their
friendship to fight for love and desire with the help of their gods.
(Executive Summary)
1. Introduction
o Theseus captured 2 knights; Palamon and Arcite, they were
imprisoned in a tower for many years until one day Palamon
looked at the window of their cell, there he saw the beautiful
sister of Theseus named Emily strolling around her garden,
Palamon instantly fell in love with the woman, when Arcite also
looked he also fell inlove with Emily. At that moment both of
them abandoned their friendship and declared to fight over her.
2. Rising Action
 o Several more years later, Arcite escaped with the help of a
firend but could not get Emily out of her mind, so he went back
and became one of Emily’s servants but did not confessed his
love for her. And more years later Palamon also managed to
escape and then they meet and fought each other until it was
stop by Theseus, the 2 confessed that they were knight prisoners
and they escaped and also confessed that they were in love with
Emily.
Theseus then decided that the two fights in a fair tournament to
the death and whoever wins shall have the hands of Emily, they
were both given a year to gather an army until the day of the
tournament.
3. Climax
o A year passed and the tournament is about to begin, both
contenders prayed to their gods, Arcite visited the shrine of
Mars the god of war and prayed for his victory in the
tournament, Palamon visited the shrine of venus, the goddess of
love and prayed that he wins the love of Emily.
Emily also prayed to Diana and wished to remain pure but will
accept whatever the goddess wish would happen to her.

The tournament started and after a long and hard fight Palamon
and his troops started to weaken and eventually lose to Arcite,
4. Falling Action
o While Arcite was celebrating his victory, is horse threw him off
and lethally injuring him, On his deathbed, he announces his wish
for Palamon to marry Emilye.
5. Resolution
o Emily then accepts and married Palamon and loved each other.
Both of the knights were granted their prayers, Arcite winning
the tournament and Palamon winning the heart of Emilly.
D. Point of View
E. Mood and Tone
 Sad
 Threatening
  serious
F. Theme
 Love triangle
 War
 Tragic.
G. Literary Devices/Technique
III. Analysis (relate the piece with the historical events in Great Britain/ America

The Knight’s Taleis one of the 24 stories in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey

Chaucer. This chivalric romance was based on Giovanni Boccaccio’s Teseida, and
though it was not originally written as part of the Canterbury collection, Chaucer
adapted it to fit the character of the Knight. In the tale the cousins Palamon and Arcite
both fall in love with Emelye, sister of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, who is
married to their captor Theseus. A tournament is held in which the two rivals compete
for Emelye’s hand. Although Arcite wins, he is thrown from his horse and dies. After
a period of mourning, Palamon and Emelye marry.

IV. References
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Knights-Tale