Representation of Knights and Chivalry in Geoffrey Chaucer's General Prologue
In 'The General Prologue', written by Geoffrey Chaucer in, Chaucer introduces to the audience all the characters who are involved in this fictional Canterbury pilgrimage journey and who will tell the tales of each character. Chaucer begins his character portrayals with the pilgrims presented first with the highest social rank. Chaucer describes the Knight as upholding noble qualities such as embodying military chivalry, worthiness, and generosity in the following quote:
A Knight ther was, and that a worthy man,
That fro the time that he first bigan
To riden out, he loved chilvalrye,
Throuthe and honour, freedom and curteisye.
The readers can idealize an ideal Knight, who is a man of loyalty, honor and worthiness that has taken part in all the major expeditions and battles of the crusades during the last half-century as Chaucer describes his character background.
Chaucer at the beginning of the prologue displays the first quality the Knight embodies which is his prestigious and honorable military chivalry and bravery. He quotes:
At mortal batalies hadde he been fifteene,
And foughten for oure faith at Tramissene
In listes thries, and ay slain his fo.
This ilke worthy Knight hadde been also
Sometime with the lord of Palatye
Again another hethen in Turkye;
And everemore he hadde a soverein pris.
Here Chaucer reveals the impressive military career the Knight has with so much esteemed, with many battles won in the name of England's religious faith. And how he says that 'No Cristen man so ofte of his degree;' meaning that no other Christian man is at his level of military prowess. Another aspect that makes the Knight seem too prestigious to be truthful to his impressive military chivalry. Chaucer describes how brave the Knight fought in the holy war, known as the Crusades and was involved in fifteen mortal battles;
In Gernade at the sege eek hadde he be
Of Algezir, and riden in Belmarye;
At Lyeis was he, and at Satalye,
Whan they were wonne; and in the Grete See
At many a noble arivee hadde he be.
At mortal batailes hadde he been fifteene,
And fought for oure faith at Tramissene.
Another quality the Knight portraits that is admired by Chaucer is his worthiness he portraits as a knight Chaucer quotes: 'A Knight ther was, and that worthy man'. By fighting in all those fifteen-mortal battles he was honored by everywhere for his worthiness. Chaucer quotes: 'And evere honoured for his worthinesse'. By letting the readers know how he was honored by everyone and get to know him better by showing them how he is the best in all he does and that he is a brave and worthy Knight. And showing himself being above all Christians, and Heathens, 'And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, As wel in Cristendom as Hethenesse'.
Finally, the last quality the Knight portraits as a character that Chaucer describes him to be is his generosity. By showing how loyal and honor he is by politely conducting himself to everyone he meets. And showing himself being above all Christians, and Heathens, 'And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, As wel in Cristendom as Hethenesse'. And being mild fashion like Chaucer describes him wearing some simple clothes that a Knight wouldn't usually use; 'His Hors were goode, but he was nat gay, Of fustian he wered a gipoun'. Meaning he dressed simply and not with his true armor a Knight would usually be wearing. And just letting the readers know that in all his entire life, to whoever with he was a truly perfect, gentle knight.
The Knight was a brave individual who represented qualities such as military chivalry, generosity, and worthiness with good manners to help anyone who could be in trouble. Chaucer describes the Knight having a superior skill, loyalty, good reputation among many other pilgrims traveling in his fictional journey to Canterbury. The readers can compare the Knight to a modern-day American soldier, as they both share the same traits of bravery, honor, loyalty, and thoughtfulness.
Works Cited
- Chaucer, Geoffrey. “The General Prologue.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et. Al. 10th edition, vol. A, Norton, 2018, pp.261-281.
