Our Nation Torn Within

2 Pages 399 Words

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In Chaucer’s description of the Knight, discuss whether you agree or disagree with Chaucer’s intentions to represent the ideal of Knighthood.

Chaucer describes the knight as having some very real and obvious flaws such as, dishonorable behavior, and having ignoble apparel. Because Chaucer gave the Knight such imperfections, his intentions to represent the ideal Knight did not seem sensible.

The reason why the Knight wanted to go on a pilgrimage was because he wanted to cleanse his spirit of dirt that many wars imposed on it. Because the knight went on the pilgrimage to cleanse his soul, chances are he didn’t have the best religious integrity. And if we use my definition of honor, not having religious integrity would lead to dishonorable behavior, which in turn leads to the idea that Chaucer created a dishonorable Knight.

Instead of describing the “ideal Knight”, which would be courteous, and always in clean attire, Chaucer describes the Knight being dressed in dirty clothing. The reason for the Knight being dressed in dirty clothing was because the Knight just returned from battle. I think that Chaucer was using this stereotype to further illustrate that his Knight was not the “ideal Knight”.

Chaucer says that the Knight is very courageous, very prudent, and very sage, but never once says that the Knight is honorable. Also it is no where mentioned that the Knight is kind to orphans, poor people, or even widows. These are all things that an honorable Knight should do, as part of their code of Chivalry. Chaucer describes how the Knight participated in the Crusades that were mostly centered on pillaging and looting. The Crusades were not looked at as very honorable. One of the lines in the Knight’s description states, “And almost beyond price was his prestige.” This line alludes to the fact that the Knight was a paid fighter, which puts him in the same category with mercenary. Mercenaries were...