Character Analysis of the Knight in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

In the story of The Canterbury Tales thirty pilgrim join together to make a journey to the tomb of the martyr St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The Canterbury Tales begins with  the General Prologue in which Chaucer described the characters in detail, and he has done so intentionally: ”It seems to me accordant with reason / to inform you of the state of every one / of all these [characters], as it appeared to me, / and who they were, and what was their degree, / and even how arrayed there at the inn” (37-41).

Chaucer introduces his characters as typical of their profession and social standings.

Among the pilgrims there is a Knight whom the narrator represents as an extraordinary figure: “a most distinguished man”. The Knight is traveling alongside with his son and apprentice, the Squire. The narrator’s description of the Knight is full of praise. He is brave, experienced and very successful on the battlefield. Being a Christian man-at-arms the Knight has participated in fifteen crusades. Fighting is not purely a profession for the Knight, but he is clearly devoted to this lifestyle: “he loved chivalry, truth and honor” (46).

The Knight’s appearance is less perfect. The one detail Chaucer mentions about the Knight’s looks is that he is not carefully dressed. He wore “a jupon / Sadly discoloured by his habergeon” (75-76). In the next line there is an explanation for his inattention: “For he had lately come from his voyage /And now was going on this pilgrimage” (77-78). In other words the Knight is dressed in the same shirt he wore in the expedition. For some reason he was such hasten to go on this pilgrimage, that he did not waste time on changing his shirt. Even acting so nonchalant adds to the Knight’s character. We might interpret his effortless look as simplicity. The Knight apparently doesn’t care much for wealth. Wearing a simple shirt rather than fine clothes suggests that he does not want to ‘appear’ to be someone. There is no doubt that the Knight is greatly respected by the pilgrims. The Knight is best in his profession, and his achievements earn the recognition of others.

The Knight is professionally accomplished, but is he successful in his private life?

While Chaucer describes the Squire as a curly-haired, youthful and handsome fellow, he gives little detail about the Knight’s external features. The Knight’s character is defined by his inner traits, which Chaucer broadly exhibits. He portrays the Knight as noble, prudent and loyal. Similarly, the Knight possesses excellent qualities in his private life. He is good-hearted, wise, modest, gentle, and has good manners: “He never yet had any vileness said, / In all his life...” (70-71).

Chaucer’s characters are diverse in their occupations and social standings. Among the pilgrims the Knight has the most prestige, clearly implied by the structure of the General Prologue. The Knight is the first character to be introduced followed by his son, the Squire. Next is the Yeoman, then the Prioress, followed subsequently by the socially less prominent characters.

Chaucer himself is also a character in the Canterbury Tales. He prepares himself for the “devout homage” (22) at the Tabard Inn, and later travels in fellowship of the twenty-nine pilgrims. Chaucer the pilgrim takes the opportunity to describe his fellow travelers, promoting those traits that need our attention. During his sketch of the characters Chaucer suggests his own opinions.

His description of the Knight is rather full of admiration. The Knight has a good reputation, he performs his role perfectly. He is Christian: a prominently positive religious figure of the Tales. He pursues noble ideas, and fights for a noble (Christian) cause.  The Knight is a moral figure, who doesn’t care for materialistic possessions. He is so modest, that his marvelous victories almost go unnoticed. Courage incorporated with humility: Chaucher creates the character of the ideal medieval knight.

But is the character of the Knight truly spotless?

            When Chaucer describes the pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales he does it so in a way that is mostly subjective. He notes one or two details of the characters, which change the reader’s impression of these figures. Some characters are ridiculed openly, such as the Pardoner’s beardless face, which characteristics connoted gender ambiguity in Chaucer’s time. The Pardoner’s voice “bleated like a goat” (688). The fact that he carries a bag of fake relics for sale and collects profit for himself reveal that the Pardoner is the least favorable figure in the Tales.

           Other characterizations happen more subtly. The Knight’s figure is a relevant example for this fine quip.

            Let’s take a closer look at the group of campaigns recorded in the General Prologue. The Knight mostly fought in religious wars in Alexandria, Prussia, Latvia and Russia. However, he also took part in some expedition of a secular nature: “At one time with the lord of Palatye / Against another heathen in Turkey” (66-67).

           Perhaps, the Knight is not without fault after all. He is not only a crusader of a Christian Order with a mission to the Holy Lands, he might be as well a ”soldier of fortune who would fight for a Moslem sultan for pay” (Jones 65).

           Chaucer also mentions: ”And always won the sovereign fame for prize”. This line implies that the Knight was a paid fighter, just as the knights of ’Secular Orders’, which became popular in the beginning of the 14th century. ”These orders were concerned with the revards and celebrations of wordly honor.” (Odrowaz-Sypniewska 2)

          Therefore we can conclude, that Chaucer decided to present a Knight, who has some faults, but who is overall a good person. This way Chaucer’s description of the Knight is truly

realistic, ”a sort of social commentary on the way that knights were perceived in the 14th century” (Essay 7).

Sources:

1. Medieval Sourcebook: Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales

www.fordham.edu. August 1996

<http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/ct-prolog-para.html>

2. "Chaucer's Canterbury Tales - Satire of the Knight in Prologue and Knight's Tale." Essay 123HelpMe.com. 07 Nov 2008
    <http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=4031>.

3. „Christian / Secular Orders. A Brief History.”

www.angelfire.com. June 11, 2006

<http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/polctr/SecularOrders.html>.

4. Jones, Terry. Chaucer's Knight: The Portrait of a medieval Mecenary. Rev. ed. London: Methuen, 1984.

This is the recipe for gingerbread cookies I have made for Yael's engagement party.

Ingredients

700 g flour
100 g icing sugar
1 cup honey
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 eggs
4 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

In a large bowl whisk together honey, eggs, melted butter and icing sugar. Gradually stir in dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Divide dough in half. Wrap them in plastic foil and refrigerate up to 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place first portion of dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll dough 1/3 inch thick. Make sure to sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin to avoid sticking. Cut out heart shaped cookies. I used both small and large cutters.

Cooling the 'hotties'

Bake cookies until they slightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Be careful for they burn easily. Cool cookies on a wire rack.

Decorate cookies with icing.

Decorating with the icing was a little complicated, but here are the ones that turned out great.

"If you ain't first, you're last" 

topped with the Baby Jesus prayer by Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights  :)

&

"Get the hail outta hee"

"Hey, fuggeddaboud id"

(Mickey Blue Eyes)

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