5.1 Analysis of the Knight's Tale plot and themes

The Knight's Tale, set in ancient Greece, follows two Theban knights vying for the love of Emelye. Their rivalry leads to a tournament organized by Theseus, with the gods influencing the outcome. The story explores themes of love, chivalry, and fate.

The tale's resolution highlights the power of divine intervention and fate over human actions. It also emphasizes the importance of friendship and the fleeting nature of earthly desires, while raising questions about women's roles in chivalric traditions.

The Knight's Tale: Plot and Themes

Main plot points of Knight's Tale

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• Story set in ancient Greece revolves around two Theban knights, Palamon and Arcite, captured and imprisoned by Theseus, Duke of Athens
• Both knights fall in love with Emelye, Theseus' sister-in-law, whom they see from their prison window
• Arcite released from prison and banished from Athens while Palamon remains imprisoned
• Arcite returns to Athens in disguise becomes a servant in Emelye's household while Palamon escapes from prison
• Two knights meet in a forest fight over Emelye but are interrupted by Theseus who proposes a tournament to decide who will marry her
• Palamon prays to Venus for victory in love, Arcite prays to Mars for victory in battle, Emelye prays to Diana to remain unmarried
• Arcite wins tournament but is fatally injured by a fall from his horse orchestrated by Saturn to fulfill Venus' promise to Palamon
• Before dying, Arcite reconciles with Palamon asks him to marry Emelye which Theseus arranges after a period of mourning

Central themes in Knight's Tale

• Love
  • Explores theme of courtly love where knights are motivated by their devotion to a lady
  • Love between Palamon, Arcite, and Emelye is a central driving force of the plot
• Chivalry
  • Showcases ideals of knightly behavior such as honor, loyalty, and courage
  • Tournament organized by Theseus exemplifies chivalric tradition of settling disputes through combat (jousting)
• Fate and divine intervention
  • Role of fate and influence of gods are prominent in the story
  • Prayers of characters to Venus, Mars, and Diana and subsequent events suggest their lives are subject to divine intervention
  • Saturn's involvement in Arcite's death highlights power of fate over human actions
• Conflict between love and friendship
  • Palamon and Arcite's friendship tested by their mutual love for Emelye
  • Explores tension between personal desires and loyalty to friends

Character actions and plot development

• Palamon and Arcite's decision to fall in love with Emelye sets stage for their rivalry and central conflict of story
• Theseus' decision to imprison knights and later propose tournament shapes course of events provides framework for characters to pursue goals
• Prayers of Palamon, Arcite, and Emelye to different gods introduce theme of divine intervention and fate's role in story
• Arcite's decision to return to Athens in disguise serve Emelye demonstrates lengths he will go for love highlighting theme of courtly love
• Palamon's escape from prison confrontation with Arcite in forest showcases intensity of their rivalry and conflict between love and friendship
• Theseus' decision to have Palamon marry Emelye after Arcite's death represents resolution to conflict and restoration of order

Significance of tale's resolution

• Resolution with Arcite's death and Palamon's marriage to Emelye suggests power of fate and divine intervention ultimately trumps human action
  • Despite characters' best efforts to control their destinies, outcome is determined by will of gods
• Reconciliation between Palamon and Arcite on latter's deathbed highlights importance of friendship and fleeting nature of earthly desires
  • In face of death, their rivalry is put into perspective and their bond as friends is reaffirmed
• Marriage of Palamon and Emelye at end of story can be seen as restoration of order and fulfillment of courtly love ideals
  • However, also raises questions about role of women in chivalric tradition and extent to which their desires are considered
• Tale's resolution suggests while human actions and decisions are important, they are ultimately subject to influence of fate and divine power
  • Theme is consistent with medieval beliefs about role of providence in shaping human lives