TheKnight
From Wyclif
Contents |
[edit] The Knight's Tale
[edit] The Tale in Context
What happens because it is the first tale?
What relation does it have to its teller?
What relation does it have to subsequent tales?
Love triangle – Miller’s, Merchant’s and Franklin’s, 2nd Nun’s and even Manciple’s Tales
Classical gods / Providence – Merchant’s, Man of Law’s, 2nd Nun’s, and elements of Miller’s, Monk’s, Franklin’s and Nun’s Priest’s Tales
Dreams – Miller’s, Monk’s, Sir Thopas’ Tales
Virtue – Friar’s, Pardoner’s, Merchant’s Tales
Love – Wife of Bath’s, so-called "marriage group" and many others
[edit] Part I
Who is Theseus?
How did he marry Hippolyta?
Who is Emily?
Whom do they meet while returning to Athens?
What does the widow of Capaneus seek?
What has Creon done wrong?
What does Theseus respond?
How is Creon dealt with?
What happens to Thebes?
What do the widows get?
Where are Palamon and Arcite found?
Who are they?
What does Theseus decree for them?
After several years, what happens one May morning and why in May?
Who sees Emily first?
What does Palamon think vs Arcite?
What results from their having seen Emily?
Who is Perotheus (a.k.a Pirithoos)?
Why is Arcite released from prison without even a ransom?
What is the sole condition of his release?
Is Arcite pleased to be released?
What does Palamon think Arcite will do with his freedom?
What do you answer to the narrator’s question? (Who is happier, Palamon or Arcite?
[edit] Part II
What disease wastes Arcite?
What does Mercury announce to Arcite in a dream?
Who is Philostrate?
For whom does he work?
How does he get a "promotion"?
Why does Theseus love him?
After three years (the 7th year of Palamon’s imprisonment), what happens?
What is Palamon’s plan after escaping?
How do Palamon and Arcite find each other?
Do they rejoice at their reunion?
What pledge do they renounce?
What does Arcite promise for the next day?
What happens when they meet that day?
How does Theseus come upon them?
Who hunts with Theseus?
What does Palamon tell / seek of Theseus?
What is Theseus’ immediate reaction?
What tempers it?
What three arguments convince him?
How does Theseus propose to end the fight over Emily?
[edit] Part III
What does Theseus have built?
To whom are the three temples dedicated?
By whom are the combatants accompanied?
Describe the prayers of the three principle players:
Palamon – Venus – prays for – is answered…
Emily – Diana – prays for – is answered…
Arcite – Mars – prays for– is answered…
And Saturn decrees what settlement?
[edit] Part IV
What surprising announcement does Theseus make before the tournament begins?
How is Palamon "caught"?
Why is Arcite declared the winner?
Why is Venus upset?
What suddenly happens to Arcite?
Although at first it seems Arcite will live, what does he do when he knows he will die?
What arrangements are made for Arcite’s funeral?
How much time passes before Theseus arranges the marriage of Palamon and Emily?
How quickly does the Tale wrap up now?
What one detail constrains the marriage of Palamon and Emily?
Did each mortal get what he prayed for?
[edit] Structured episodes
Theseus wins Hippolyta
Capaneus’ wife on fortune
Widows’ laments, destruction of Thebes, burning of bodies
Palamon & Arcite found among dead
Lovers’ rivalry over Emily
Arcite’s sickness
Palamon’s escape
Combat in the wood
Theseus decrees tournament
3 temples
Description of Lycurgus
Palamon’s winning of Emily
Theseus on Providence
Laments for Arcite, destruction of forests, Arcite’s pyre
Death of Arcite
Arcite’s yielding Emily to Palamon
Arcite’s injury
Palamon’s defeat
The tournament
Theseus’ rules for combat
3 prayers
Description of Emetreus
[edit] Structure
Highly structured, only matched in complexity by Gawain and the Green Knight. Both are:
Symmetrical
Divided into 4 sections
With parallel episodes from beginning to end
With a centerpiece of paired threes
Third section contains the paired pieces
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