Analysis Of Cantebury Tales
...many important virtues regarding human existence. These virtues include: hubris, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony and lust. With careful analysis of the characters, a theme becomes evident. Using this analysis, a universal idea can be drawn, as opposed to limited relevance to life during the Middle Ages.
The prologue begins set at the Tabern Inn, located in Southwark, England relatively close to London. Twenty-nine pilgrims accompany the narrator of the story. All of the characters represent the diversity of all society. Among them included are: a knight, a yeoman, a squire, a monk, a friar, a clerk a merchant, a parson, a plowman, a miller, a reeve, a summoner, a pardoner and a host. The leader of the group is Harry Bailey. He encourages everyone to ride together and to exchange stories for entertainment. Harry instructs each pilgrim to tell two stories on the trip, and whoever is the best storyteller will be served a meal for a prize at Bailey's tavern. Lots are drawn to determine who shall go first and the knight wins.
The knight is described in the prologue as displaying traits of fidelity, prowess, generosity, refinement, and having a good reputation. He also upholds an extremely impressive military career. Later in the tale, the knight stops the argument between the host and the pardoner. As idealistic as it may be, the knight is clearly sickened by conflict and unhappy situations. The knight is ideally the most noble of all the pilgrims.
The knight tells a story about a great conqueror named Theseus who ruled Athens and ends up struggling against another man for the hand of a woman. The tale is romantic and demonstrates the theme of courtly love. It also reiterates the harsh realities of the instability of life. Chaucer also uses this story to suggest an ideal form of government, essentially the idea that, "no man is an island," or the...
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