Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, written circa 1385, is a collection of twenty-four stories told by individuals on a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral from London, England. Prior to the tales, Chaucer presents a General Prologue, providing a glimpse into fourteenth century life. In this prologue, Chaucer introduces all the characters participating in the journey and narrating the stories. One of these characters is a knight, whom Chaucer describes as "a most distinguished man" (l.).
43) The knight's sketch by Chaucer is highly complimentary, as he had fine horses but was not gaily dressed (ll. 69-70). Moreover, the knight wears a common shirt that shows stains where his armor had left marks (l. 72).
The knight has just returned from service and is in a rush to begin his pilgrimage without even changing his clothes. Throughout his fighting career, he has travel
...ed extensively, serving in Egypt, Lithuania, Prussia, Russia, Spain, North Africa, and Asia Minor, where he was highly esteemed by all.
In spite of his prosperous and hectic career, the knight remains remarkably humble. According to Chaucer, he is as modest as a maid (line 65) and has never uttered a single rude remark to anyone (cf., lines 66-7). Undeniably, the knight possesses an exceptional character. In the General Prologue, Chaucer offers one of the most complimentary portrayals of the knight.
The knight, as described by Chaucer, is an exceptional warrior renowned for his commitment to the true faith. He has fought valiantly on three continents, displaying great skill and bravery. Despite his numerous accomplishments, the knight remains humble and courteous. He embodies the ideals of chivalry, displaying both devotion and politeness in everyday life while being bold and
fearless on the battlefield. In modern-day America, we strive to have individuals like Chaucer's knight in our society. During the nation's conflict with Iraq in 1991, the notion of a modest yet effective soldier captivated the nation's imagination.
The journalists attempted to portray General H. Norman Schwarzkopf as a modern-day knight, emphasizing his brave leadership and humble demeanor despite being in military uniform. It would be ideal if individuals like this knight existed in the 20th century, but it is highly improbable that such individuals actually lived in the 14th century. Similar to his depiction of all characters, Chaucer creates a stereotype by shaping the image of the knight.
Chaucer presents the knight as an embodiment of the chivalric ideal, which was rarely observed during the Middle Ages. However, through his portrayal, Chaucer highlights the potential existence of this way of life to the reader.
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