Literature Essay on The Canterbury Tales: Courtly Love in The Knights Tale

The Knight was selected to be the first to narrate his story. It is evident that those who are wealthy even among the believers are given high value among the people. And eke in what array that they were in; And at a Knight then will I first begin. (Murphy 2). The Canterbury Tales are based on religious background the pilgrimage demonstrates that the characters were believers. Although some of them took it as an excursion or a way to see new places that they had not been to before. During the medieval times love was shown in different ways unlike in the twenty-first century. Courtly love is demonstrated in the way Emelye is loved by one of her servants. In those days it was a usual thing for the servant master relationships to be accepted although not always consummated because some of them were not agreed to by either parents or relatives of the lady.

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Women, with Emelye has an example are taken as a prize and their love does not have to be genuine nor do they have to marry the person that they love but one that wins a battle. His brother makes her a gift to whoever won between Arcite and Palamon to demonstrate his authority over her. In the current society this old habit is not common. However, love is being used as a token for other things such as money and social class. The battle that was demonstrated in the tales is now against the wealthy and poor and their ability to provide for those they want to marry. The two brothers were willing to fight for the love of Emeley demonstrates how romantic love was highly placed than the love of siblings.

The tale also makes sure to mention that the knight was not homosexual and his dress code did not show his nakedness a sign that in those times the kind of relation that was viewed by the people as mainstream was heterosexual nature. In the twenty-first generation however, love has a broader perspective and most people are coming to terms with the different kinds and can respect what others believe in even if it is not what they view as correct. For this reason countries are legalizing gay marriages and given them equal right to love.

According to Murphy, Theseus was a man that was taken to be socially elevated and wanted to maintain the class he was in. To ride out, he loved chivalry, Truth and honor, freedom and courtesy (2). The tale demonstrates that Theseus was a man of worth to the people. He valued his knighthood and kept his honor for the sake of his place in the society. He had fought battles and won as well as managed to capture other nations. Aboven alle nations and in Prussia. In Lithow had he raised and in Russia (Murphy 3). Therefore he was highly respected in his kingdom.

The knight depicted in the tale is a sign of power and authority. The tale sets off with Theseus meeting women who have been denied their right to buried loved ones who died at war. He uses his power to avenge the women. He takes prisoners back with him just because he can, a trait that is demonstrated in the current world where leaders are able to do the things they want and have the authority to do it without being questioned by the citizens. In the twenty-first century the political leaders are not as drastic as those days where other states would take prisoners.

Works Cited

Murphy, Michael. The Canterbury Tales. General Prologue. A Reader-Friendly Edition. n.d Web. 24 March 2017. (academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/webcore/murphy/Canterbury/2genpro.pdf)