The Knight's Tale

Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, written in approximately 1385, is a collection of twenty-four stories ostensibly told by various people who are going on a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral from London, England. Prior to the actual tales, however, Chaucer offers the reader a glimpse of fourteenth century life by way of what he refers to as a General Prologue. In this prologue, Chaucer introduces all of the characters who are involved in this imaginary journey and …

…in which the Knight travels. Even the structure of the tale obeys the structure and hierarchy within society. The Knight's Tale adheres to traditional values of honor in which there are strict codes of behavior that one must follow. This code of chivalry is not necessarily polite and decent, but it is what the Knight knows and possesses. These ideas are necessary in showing, again, the high regard the Knight holds for the chivalric code.