"The Knight's Tale"

The Knight described through his own narrative in “The Knight’s Tale” is consistent with Chaucer’s satire of the “worthy Knight” described in the General Prologue. Through the Knight’s story, the reader is given insight into those ideals truly valued by the Knight, and is found to not exactly live up to the standards of the “ideal knight” which he is often assumed to embody. While the knight truly values the ideals of chivalry; including “Trouth and honour, freedom and curteisye,” through “The Knight’s Tale” one learns of his true passions for riches and fame, and excitement of combat; cravings which are masked by the knight’s “love and devotion to chivalry.” The reader also learns that the knight’s devotion to religion isn’t as pure and righteous as it might outwardly appear.
At the beginning of the knight’s story, he describes the Duke Theseus, who was the ruler of Athens and “so great a conqueror There were none mightier beneath th...