Knights’ Chivalry in The Knight’s Tale of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
A THESIS
BY:
JEMARIO MESTIKA REG. NO. 090705028
SUPERVISOR CO-SUPERVISOR
Dra. Redita Lubis, Dip. Appl. Ling. M.Hum Mahmud Arief Albar, SS. MA NIP.19490423 197412 2 001 NIP. 19820904 200501 1 010
Submitted to Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatra Utara Medan in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Sarjana Sastra from Department of English
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Approved by the Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies Univiersity of Sumatra Utara (USU) Medan as thesis for the Sarjana Sastra Examination.
Head, Secretary,
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of requirements for the
degree of Sarjana Sastra from the Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies
University of Sumatra Utara.
The examination is held in the Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatra
Utara on Saturday, April 19, 2013.
The Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies
University of Sumatra Utara
Dr. H. Syahron Lubis, M.A.
NIP 19511013 197603 1 001
Board of Examiners
Dr. H. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S. ……….
Dr. Rahmatsyah Rangkuti, M.A. PhD ……….
Dra. Redita Lubis, Dip. Appl. Ling. M.Hum ……….
Dra. Martha Pardede, M.S. ……….
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
I, JEMARIO MESTIKA DECLARE THAT I AM THE SOLE AUTHOR OF THIS THESIS EXCEPT WHERE REFERENCE IS MADE IN THE TEXT OF THIS THESIS. THIS THESIS CONTAINS NO MATERIAL PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE OR EXTRACTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM A THESIS BY WHICH I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR OR AWARDED ANOTHER DEGREE. NO OTHER PERSON’S WORK HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT DUE ACKNOWLEDMENTS IN THE MAIN TEXT OF THIS THESIS. THIS THESIS HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF ANOTHER DEGREE IN ANY TERTIARY EDUCATION.
Signed:
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
NAME : JEMARIO MESTIKA
TITTLE OF THESIS : KNIGHTS’ CHIVALRY IN THE KNIGHT’S
TALE OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER’S THE CANTERBURY TALES
QUALIFICATION : S-1/SARJANA SASTRA
DEPARTMENT : ENGLISH
I AM WILLING THAT MY THESIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR
REPRODUCTION AT DISCRETION OF THE LIBRARIAN OF
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF SUMATRA UTARA ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT USERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA.
ACKNOWLEDMENT
the truth is i really can‟t stand by myself. thank you for my greatest friend, he
is jesus christ, because of his guidance, i got the light on my path. i can‟t said
nothing but thank you for all of your blessing and your grace for me. i also would to
thank my parents, my pa j. gurusinga and my ma. br. tarigan for everything they‟ve
given to me. thank you too for my brother, j.gurusinga, and my two beautiful sister
for their support and patience when we was on down. i also would to thanks bolang
tigan and nondong karo, without you, i can‟t move as far as today. bujur ras mejuah
-juah man banta kerina, dibata singkekelengi kita.
i also would to say thanks to my supervisor, mdm. redita lubis, and my 2nd
supervisor mr. mahmud arief albar. thank you for your guiding me in writing the
thesis, and also your advice, your time and everything you‟ve given to me.
my thanks also goes to all of closest friends in kampus, alvin, daniel, kedan,
chyma, petra, omi, melisa, yova, bang jo, and aprina. we are team :D thank you for
your time, and your patience too, when i‟m on my trance wkwkwkwkwk. it was very
nice when someone got trance (:I ) and there are friends as the audience (:you) :D
thank you too for all my friends, 09. it is amazing when we were trapped in a
trouble, and we solved it together. without you, i also can‟t move forward. thank you
too for my friends in 08010011. thanks for your advice, and for the laugh we‟ve
made :D thank you too for you all 010 and 011 for being my friends, and the time
my special thanks also goes to all of the weird creature in warnet
wkwkwkwkwk. thank you bang jun, leo, bang dolek, bang gon, pak ded, and all of
you there. i am glad for being your friend :D
Medan, April 1014
ABSTRACT
Skripsi ini berjudul “KNIGHTS‟ CHIVALRY IN THE KNIGHT‟S TALE
OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER‟S THE CANTERBURY TALES” membahas tentang
kekesatriaan yang dtunjukkan oleh para ksatria yang terdapat didalam The Knight‟s
Tale karya Geoffrey Chaucer, yaitu Theseus, Palamon, dan Arcita. Kekesatriaan
dapat diidentifikasi melalui tindakan-tindakan dan ucapan-ucapan kebajikan yang
dilakukan oleh para ksatria. Tindakan kebajikan tersebut dapat digolongkan menjadi
empat jenis, yaitu ksatria harus berani, ksatria harus sigap dalam membantu orang
lemah, ksatria harus beriman atau taat kepada agama, dan ksatria harus terhormat.
Tindakan kebajikan tersebut sangat dipelihara dan dijunjung tinggi oleh para ksatria
yang ada didalam The Knight‟s Tale. Tindakan-tindakan tersebut diuraikan secara
jelas dan lengkap, sehingga kemudian dapat disimpulkan bagaimana etika dan
penerapan tindakan tersebut oleh para ksatria, yang terdapat didalam The Knights‟s
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Author‟s Declaration i
Copyright Declaration ii
Acknowledment iii
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study……….... 1
1.2 Problems of the Study ……….……… 7
1.3 Objective of the Study……….……… 8
1.4 Scope of the Study…………...……… 8
1.5 Significance of the Study…….……… 8
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1 Narrative Poetry………... 9
2.1.1 Characters in Poetry ………. 10
2.1.2 Theme and Subtheme ………... 11
2.1.3 Setting ……….………. 12
2.2 Chivalry……… 12
CHAPTER III : METHOD OF RESEARCH 3.1 Methodology of the Research ……… 14
3.2 Source of Data……… 14
3.3 Data Collecting………... 15
CHAPTER IV : FINDINGS AND DESCRIPTION
4.1 Courage……… 16
4.2 Readiness to Help the Weak……… 28
4.3 Religious……….. 32
4.4 Honor……… 45
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion 53
5.2 Suggestion 55
REFERENCES 56
ABSTRACT
Skripsi ini berjudul “KNIGHTS‟ CHIVALRY IN THE KNIGHT‟S TALE
OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER‟S THE CANTERBURY TALES” membahas tentang
kekesatriaan yang dtunjukkan oleh para ksatria yang terdapat didalam The Knight‟s
Tale karya Geoffrey Chaucer, yaitu Theseus, Palamon, dan Arcita. Kekesatriaan
dapat diidentifikasi melalui tindakan-tindakan dan ucapan-ucapan kebajikan yang
dilakukan oleh para ksatria. Tindakan kebajikan tersebut dapat digolongkan menjadi
empat jenis, yaitu ksatria harus berani, ksatria harus sigap dalam membantu orang
lemah, ksatria harus beriman atau taat kepada agama, dan ksatria harus terhormat.
Tindakan kebajikan tersebut sangat dipelihara dan dijunjung tinggi oleh para ksatria
yang ada didalam The Knight‟s Tale. Tindakan-tindakan tersebut diuraikan secara
jelas dan lengkap, sehingga kemudian dapat disimpulkan bagaimana etika dan
penerapan tindakan tersebut oleh para ksatria, yang terdapat didalam The Knights‟s
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of the Study
Chivalry can be considered as an ancient norm, because it was only applied in
the old and middle age of Britain. Chivalry consists of four commendable acts such
as courage, religious, readiness to help the weak, and honorable. Those deeds appear
in The Knight‟s Tale, one of twenty three tales in Geoffrey Chaucer‟s The
Canterbury Tales. Tale as we know is a kind of literary work.
„Literature‟ is a term from middle age, that are „lettre‟ in Frence or litera in Latin
which referred as written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting
artistic merit. Literature can be judged as a media to share an idea through words in
oral or written form. The idea is built by beautiful words which would interest the
reader, listener, or the spectator. Knowledge, understanding, illustration and stories
are used to be transferred by it. Roberts & Jacobs in their books An Introduction to
Reading and Writing stated that literature refers to compositions that tell stories,
dramatize situation, express emotions, and analyze and advocate ideas (1995:1). The
stories, situations, emotions, and ideas must be derived from real life, so generally
literature can be considered as the mirror of human‟s mind in a written or oral form.
Robert Eaglestone in his book Doing English stated that perhaps literature is
more like a verb, a „doing‟, than it is a noun or thing (2000:50). By the opinion
above, it can be said that it is not too important to define what literature is, because it
more we try to define, the more we will lose the essential of literature. Therefore,
generally literature can be considered as the mirror of human life to tell stories,
dramatize situations, and express emotions in the most beautiful and artistic way,
whether it is written or oral. Yet, not all written materials should be classified into
literature. Literature must always be interesting; it must always have a structure and
an aesthetic purpose, a total coherence and effect (Wellek and Warren, 1967:212). As
result from those opinions, there is a conclusion that it is easier to understand
literature is something which cannot be defined but something which can be
considered. Literature can be considered as “nothing at all” which has an aesthetic
purpose, a total coherence and effect when we wander in it.
There are three traditional genres of literature: lyric, epic or narrative poem,
and drama (Wellek and Warren, 1977: 25). As time changes, the genres develop
where lyric becomes poetry and epic or narrative poem becomes prose but drama still
has its own name. Poetry today has various kinds in order to be classified easier.
The origin of the word is the Greek word, poiema; that is, “something made
or fashioned [in words]”. Poetry is written in verses which each verse has relational
meaning to the other verse. Poetry is not just the creation of meaningful arrangement
of words. Poetry also reflects idea towards something that poet thinks about. We
must enter the imagination of the poet and try to feel what does the poem means,
which only can be understood by understanding every word which are contained, so
it can picture everything that we cannot see and also gives us, maybe much
information of poet‟s purposes. Robert and Jacobs in their book Literature: An
Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama state that poetry and poem describe a
variety of subjects. Because of the variety, it is not possible to make a single,
comprehensive definition (1995: 547).
One type of poetry which was popular in the middle age is blank verse. Blank
verse is type of poetry which use unrhymed iambic pentameter pattern. Kennedy in
his book Literature: An Introduction of Fiction, Poetry, and Drama says that iambic
pentameter is a line of five iambs, a meter especially familiar because it occurs in all
blank verse (1991: 651). Iambic is the stress of a line which has one-two rhythm, where
the stress is in the second. Pentameter is a scale for a line that has five feet which
measured from the number of units which each unit has two syllables. In other words,
iambic pentameter can be defined to be a line that has five feet, which each foot has two
syllables, where the stress is on the second syllable.
Beneath are examples of what is called blank verse with iambic pentameter. The
examples are taken from original spelling of The Knight‟s Tale lines 1587-1594.
1. I wol be deed, or ells thow salt die→ I „ wol| be ‟ deed | or‟ ells | thow‟
shalt | die‟ |
2. Thow salt nat love my lady Emilye → Thow‟ salt | nat‟ love | my‟ la | dy
Emi | ly‟e |
3. But I wol love hire only and namo. → But‟I | wol‟ love| her‟ on | ly and|
na mo |
4. For I am Palamon, thy mortal foo, → For‟ I | am‟ Pa | la‟ mon |thy‟mor |
tal foe |
5. And thogh that I no wepne have in this place→ And‟ thogh | That‟ I | no‟
6. But out of prisoun am astert by grace → But‟ out | of pri | soun am | as
tert | by‟ grace|
7. I drede noght that outher thou shalt die → I‟ drede |noght‟ that| ou ther|
thou‟ shalt| die‟ |
8. Or thou ne shalt noght loven Emelye → Or „ thou | ne „ salt | noght „ lo |
ven Emi | lye__
Eight lines above consist of five feet which from one foot to the other has two
syllables to make a rhythmical form. A foot is ended by the symbol (|). So the first foot
in the first line is I‟wol and the second foot is be deed. The stress in each foot is in the
second syllable, which is marked with __. A syllable to another syllable is separated by
(„). From the unrhymed seven lines above is also a proof that The Canterbury Tales does
not have a rhyme. A little analysis above prove that The Canterbury Tales are written in
the form of blank verse, because it is unrhymed and formed in iambic pentameter which
have five feet and the stress is on the second syllable. The Canterbury Tales is a
narrative poem, because there is no feeling expression and thoughts of the author, but it
contains tales that are combined by author into a book. Kennedy explained in his book
that the narrative poem is a poem whose main goal is to tell a story (1977: 504).
The Canterbury Tales contains tales or stories from many tellers. Chaucer
packs all of the tales into a book named The Canterbury Tales. The tales are taken from
the stories which were told by the tellers in a group of pilgrims which are going to see
the tomb of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury. Each tale depicts the teller‟s attitude and
life experiences. The pilgrims have different professions, that makes the tales which they
tell is fitted to their profession. There are twenty three kinds of profession which have
the tales in The Canterbury Tales, they are: Knight, Miller, Reeve, Cook, Man of Law,
Summoner, Clerk, Merchant, Squire, Franklin, Shipman, Manciple, Sir Thopas, and
Canon. Each pilgrim must tell a story in turn, in their way to Canterbury. One of those
pilgrims is a knight and at his turn, he told the tale about knight. His tale is
considered as The Knight‟s Tale which is taken as the source of material of the
thesis. The Knight‟s Tale represents the knight‟s identity. The life of the knight who
tells the story has a similarity to the life of knights in that tale.
Knights are men with courage, honor, justice, faith, skilled in using weapon,
and appointed directly by king to be the guardian of the king and his kingdom.
Knights also serve the church beside dedicate his life to their kingdom, and it proves
that knights are devout. They uphold their behavior and deeds based on the norm of
the knights, which known as chivalry. Chivalry that was brought by the knights as
the norm of his life is also owned by the knights in that tale.
This Thesis analyze the knight‟s deeds toward chivalry from the character of The
Knight‟s Tale, they are Theseus, Palamon Arcita, which is pointed out in a love triangle
between Palamon and arcita toward Theseus‟ sister. This tale is talking about Arcita and
Palamon, Knights of Thebes which is sent to the prison by Theseus, a duke which
conquer Thebes. Palamon and Arcita try to escape from the prison not for their
freedom, but because “love”. They fall in love for same maiden - the duke‟s sister,
which conquer their city. It seems impossible that a prisoner can get a love from a
conqueror‟s sister. The knights, try to change the impossible thing become possible
by their efforts in this tale. The knights, who are bounded by knighthood become
rivalry each other to win their love. Love triangle is the theme of this tale. From the
theme, subtheme becomes the subject that the writer wants to analyze in this thesis
religious, and readiness to help the weak which really appear in The Knight‟s Tale by
Geoffrey Chaucer.
Geoffrey Chaucer (1343 – 25 October 1400) was born in London, the son of a
city wine-merchant. His life was active and his employments diverse. Chaucer writes
five great literary works and a lot of poetry, beside of The Canterbury Tales. The five
great literary works are: translation of Roman de la Rose (1360s), The book of
Duchess (1368), The House of Fame (1375), The Parliament of Fowls (1380),
Troilus & Criseyde (1381 – 1386), and The Legend of Good Women (1386-1387). He
begins his career at seventeenth as a page (boy who works for knight while training
to be a knight himself, Oxford: 2000) and two years later he becomes a soldier. At
twenty nine years old, he becomes a squire of Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt in
France for an expedition. In age of thirtieth, he works as a diplomat in Italy and
France. In thirty first, he works as esquire of king‟s chamber. Chaucer according to
Emile in His book History of English Literature stated that Chaucer constantly uses
English for his works in fourteenth century (Emile, 1945: 140, 135). Chaucer‟s
choice to use English as the nature of his poems is a proof of his decision and of his
sure judgment. Chaucer does not let his works to be tempted by Latin and France,
which have influence English for three centuries. His works are the trial to pureeing
English, to clear English from the influence of Latin and France. The Chaucer‟s trial
was not easy, because using pure English without any Latin or France in a literary
works is considered as a poor works in that time. According to Emile, Chaucer has
ends the middle ages which are dominated by Latin and France for three centuries
with his highly-skilled verses in his works. His deed has make middle-age English
It would be nice if chivalry as appeared in Chaucer‟s The Knight‟s Tale can
arise again as human‟s nature of this twenty first century. In our country Indonesia,
these natures are already set down after forty years, the reign of our first president,
Mr. Sukarno. After that era, most of leaders in Indonesia are proved that they have
bad reputation because of corruption, bribing, no responsibility, and neglect the
interest of people. Those are caused by they did not try to own the nature of knights.
The nature of knights In The Knight‟s Tale is hard to find in common people
nowadays. However, we would be glad because Mr. Jokowi the governor of DKI
Jakarta has mirrored the natures of knights in The Knight‟s Tale. He has shown many
acts which can be concluded as acts in loving his people. Oftentimes he blends with
his people, seeing the real condition of his people. Others which have mirrored the
knight‟s nature are Mr. Munir, and Ms. Butet Manurung. These two people have
done the honorable deeds and have devoted their self to people who really need their
help.
1.2 Problems of the Study
There are many tales that contained in The Canterbury Tales. Each tale is
referenced to each character and also depicts their behavior and responsibility toward
a problem. There are twenty three characters which told their stories which seems to
heighten their profession in their surroundings. Knights are characters which have
unique deeds as depicted in The Knight‟s Tale in The Canterbury Tales. The analysis
will answer the following questions:
1. What kinds of chivalry act were done by the knights in The Knight‟s Tale?
1.3Objective of the Study
After exploring those questions above, the writer tries to find out the answers
of those questions, they are:
1. To identify the knight‟s chivalry, especially in the middle age.
2. To elaborate how the chivalry acts expressed by the knights.
1.4Scope of the Study
Through this thesis, the writer wants to analyze and describe the knights‟
chivalry which is found in The Knight‟s Tale of Geoffrey Chaucer‟s The Canterbury
Tales. Chivalry contains courage, readiness to help the weak, religious, and honor
which are reflected through Palamon, Arcita, and Theseus in The Knight‟s Tale.
1.5Significance of the Study
The significances of this analysis are as follow:
1. To enrich the literary study especially about the knight character as depict
in The Canterbury Tales.
2. To understand how the knight‟s expressed the chivalry through their
deeds and behavior.
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 The Narrative Poetry
Narrative poetry is poetry which its purpose to tell story by using poetic
devices like rhythm, rhyme, beautiful words, and sound tension. Narrative poem is
the oldest type of poetry because it has been used before printing tool is found. Blank
verse or unrhymed iambic pentameter is the most used in writing the narrative poem.
People are used to use narrative poem as the media to share a story to entertain their
self. The story which is shared orally then attached with rhythm and rhyme to make
the story has a musical rhythm in order to make the story easier to remember.
Character, setting, and plot are the elements which are existed in a narrative
poem. Those elements nowadays become an approach which is used in analyzing a
literary works, especially narrative poem. Kennedy said that “evidently the art of
narrative poetry invites the skills of a writer of fiction; the ability to draw characters
and settings briefly, to engage attention, to shape a plot” (1991:504). Meanwhile
other critics Robert & Jacobs presented a same concept evidently that the essence of
fiction is a narration, to tell a story, events and actions (1995:49). Based on the
statement from Kennedy and Roberts & Jacobs, there is a similarity between prose
fiction and narrative poem that is to tell a story. Therefore, a narrative poem
absolutely has all of the elements which is contain in a prose fiction like characters,
settings, plot, theme, and others. The theory by Roberts & Jacobs above becomes a
theory which will be used in analyzing “The Knight‟s Tale” to identify and elaborate
the subtheme of the story that is the chivalry of knights. The subtheme can be
2.1.1 Characters in Poetry
Characters in poetry are not static; they also interact with their surroundings.
Characters are able to express their minds, doing something, and also giving a
response to what they feel. Roberts & Jacobs said “just as in fiction, poetic characters
are defined by what they say, what they do, and how they react, and also by other
characters say about them (1995:569). In poetry, there are three types of characters;
speaker, listener, and participants major and minor. The type of character –speaker,
listener, and participants can be described as above:
a. The Speaker or persona is the first type character in poetry. Persona derived
from an Etruscan-Latin word which mean “mask”. Persona has an important
role in poetry because it plays double role, as the narrator and as the speaking
characters in poetry. Persona becomes narrator when prologue section and
becomes characters when the characters interacting with the surroundings or
with their self. Roberts and Jacobs said “in prose fiction we also use
“speaker” or “persona” but we often prefer the word “narrator” because of the
obvious role of story teller. This distinction emphasizes the personal &
psychological importance of poetic speaker. Sometimes, a speaker is distinct
character…” (1995:570).
b. The listener is the second type of character in poetry. Listener plays a role as
character who listen the speaker‟s speech in poetry. Oftentimes there are
dialogues between two characters, which both as the speaker and listener.
Speaker can be identified by the pronoun “I” and the listener can be identified
by “you” which is said by the speaker. Roberts & Jacobs said “listener – a
therefore “inside” the poem (1995:572)”. The reader of the poem must be
involved in that poetry, not as listener, but as the audience of the dialogue
which existed in that poem.
c. The participants, major and minor are the third type of characters found in
narrative poetry. The participants are the characters which are involved in an
event in poetry, but do not play a role as speaker or listener. Participants play
a role as the complement to the speaker or listener in a dialogue in order to
make a dramatic situation. Roberts & Jacobs stated “because poetry is
dramatic, it often involves a third type of character – major and minor
participants… not all participants are human. Poets frequently include
description of the animal kingdom, such as swimmers (shark, large fish),
flyers (orioles, nightingales), and walkers and runners (bears, deer, lambs,
and tiger) (1995:574,575)”.
2.1.2 Theme and Subtheme
Theme is the idea which becomes the main idea in a story. Theme is the basic
of a story because the acts of the characters which are existed in a story are created to
support the theme. Roberts & Jacobs in their book said “stories embody values along
with ideas. This means that ideas are presented along with expression or implication
that certain conditions and standards should be – or should not be - highly valued
(1995:406)”.
A theme can has several subthemes, because subthemes are generated from a
theme. The idea which is contained in a theme becomes the primary source in
generating the subthemes. Subthemes are more specific than the theme itself because
idea itself. By the descriptions above, can be concluded that subtheme is a
descendant of a theme.
2.1.3 Setting
Setting is the condition or situation of time, place and culture which is existed
in a story. In narrative poetry, setting is the media where the characters interact to
make the story clearly. Setting shows us about where an event takes the places, when
it happened, and how is the culture of the story. Setting in narrative poetry can be
identified by the speech of the persona. According to Roberts & Jacobs “when they
speak and act, they reflect the time, place, thought, social conventions, and general
circumstances of their lives (1995:575)”.
2.2 Chivalry
Chivalry which was popular in the middle age of Britain derived from the
word chivalrye. Chivalrye comes from old French word that is chevalery/chevalier.
Chevalier means horsemanship, the norm or attitude of the horseman. Chivalry
reflects a knight‟s attitude. According to online Oxford dictionary, chivalry means
The combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, namely courage, honour,
religious, and a readiness to help the weak.
Knights in middle age must have the ethics or norms in interact with their
social. These norms are highly-uphold by the knights, because by keeping act in that
norms, automatically it will shows them as a knight and also higher their knight‟s
quality for their self. An ideal knight must uphold chivalry because it becomes the
Some review of literature also used as the support materials to complete this
thesis. First, a journal which tittled Sacrificial Desire in Chaucer‟s Knight Tale: The
Journal of Medieval and Early written by Louise Olga, explaining about the
sacrificial that are done by the characters in “The Knight‟s Tale” in acquiring
something which they want. This journal also analyze about the role of destiny and
lucky which also dominate the plot of the tale. Second, the whole material which is
the whole text of The Knight‟s Tale in The Canterbury Tales, written by Chaucer in
Middle Age formed in manuscript. The Canterbury Tales is translated then in
modern English by A.S Kline and can be found in e book (2005). Third, History of
English Literature (1945) written by Emile Legouis. This book helps the writer to
know deeper about middle age‟s literary works, especially The Canterbury Tales.
This book also helps the writer in collecting data and biography of Geoffrey
Chaucer. Fourth, Old and Middle English (2010) edited by Elaine Trehare. This book
discusses about the story and literary works in Old and Middle English era. This
book also shows the example of literary works in the old version and the revision.
This book helps the writer to understand deeply about the topic of this thesis.
CHAPTER III
METHOD OF RESEARCH
3.1 Methodology of the Research
An analysis is a scientific study in order to understand about something
through to explanatory research. In doing this thesis, a particular method should be
used in order to make sure of validity of this research. The methods applied in this
thesis are descriptive research. According to Best, “Descriptive research is just to
describe what is happening and exist. It contains descriptions, recordings, analysis,
and interpretation what is happening or exists” (1982:42). Every data which are
found will be described and interpreted descriptively.
Wellek and Warren in Theory of Literature state that the study of literature
departed from reasonable interpretation and literary analysis itself (1977: 159). Then,
intrinsic approach is used to describe and interpret the data that are found. Intrinsic
approach contains the elements that focused only on the literary work itself. There
are character, theme, and setting that are used in this thesis to analyze the intrinsic
part of “The Knight‟s Tale” in The Canterbury Tales in order to identify the courage,
readiness to help the weak, religious, and honorable deeds o the knights.
3.2 Source of Data
The data presented in this thesis are intended to identify courage, readiness to
help the weak, religious, and honorable deeds of the knights. The data are formed in
3.3 Data Collecting
The data which are used in this thesis are acquired by some processes as beneath:
a. Read the “The Knight‟s Tale” and understanding the tale
b. Select and determine the lines that show courageous, readiness to help
the weak, religious, and honorable deeds.
c. Evaluate and prepare to report
3.4 Data Analysis
Analysis can be applied after all of the data which relate to the subject matter
are selected and collected. Those data then interpreted descriptively to elaborate
chivalry which is done by the knights in “The Knight‟s Tale”. After the data are
CHAPTER IV
FINDINGS AND DESCRIPTION
The main topic of this analysis is focused on acts of chivalry namely courage,
readiness to help the weak and honorable deeds which are done by the knights. Each
deed can be identified by the speech of persona either as the narrator or as the
knights – Theseus, Palamon, and Arcita. There are four sections on this analysis
based on the deed of the chivalry that are courage, readiness to help the weak,
religious, and honor.
4. 1 Courage
Courage is an attitude that owned by knights. Knights are considered
courageous because they are ready to risk their own to defend something that is
precious to them. In Oxford dictionary, courage means ability to do something
dangerous, or to face pain or opposition without showing fear.
Theseus is a duke and also can be categorized as a knight because in The Knight‟s Tale he was called as a great conqueror on the line 862. A conqueror must
be a knight because a conqueror also takes a part in a war in conquering a domain.
Theseus firstly shows his courage to fight against Creon. Creon is the king of Thebes
and his behavior is inhumanely. He became the king of Thebes because he killed the
previous king and all of the followers of that king. Theseus fights him because of
Creon‟s defamation towards the husband‟s body of the widows which seeking for
help to Theseus. One of those widows is the queen of the king which was killed by
gave it to dogs to be eaten. This act can be seen from the widow‟s words which
appealed on him on lines 941-947:
He out of spite, and out of tyranny 941
To do the dead bodies villainy Of all our lords that have been slain, Has all the bodies in a heap lain,
And will not give his order and assent 945
For them to be buried or be burnt, But let dog eat them, out of spite. (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Line 954 that told by persona as narrator shows how Theseus feels towards
the widows which ask for help to him. He feels very sorry to those widows because
they are victims of abuse as showed by line 955. The widow that asks for help to
Theseus was a respected figure in her social before Creon. The widow was the queen
of king Capaneus which dead in Thebes when fought against Creon as shown in lines
931-933.
He thought that his own heart would break 954
At seeing such piteous victims of fate,
That had once been of such great estate.
…
I, wretched Queen, that weep and wail thus 931
Was once the wife of King Capaneus
Who died at Thebes – accursed be the day! –
(Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Because he feels so sorry to those widows he swears as being a true knight,
will fight against the tyrant Creon. The oath of Theseus has shown us that he already
shows his bravery to help the weak, even though he does not have an obligation to
fight against Creon. This can be seen on lines 959 – 964:
And swore his oath, as being a true knight, 959
Of how Theseus their Creon served,
spending much time, Theseus prepares his army and hurried to Thebes, as described
on lines 965-967:
And at once, with more little delay, 965
He rode forth, his banner did display. Towards Thebes, and all his host beside (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
The explanation above is the first evidence of the courage of Theseus because
he dares to do something big that is attacking the city for the request of something
that can be considered as weak people that is the widows. Theseus‟ Oath to attack
Thebes immediately is an act of courage, for Theseus did not know before, whether
the widows‟ words is true or just propaganda to worsen relations between Theseus
and Creon. His oath to attacked Thebes immediately can be viewed on lines 965-966.
Theseus immediately flies his banner, and went to Thebes. It is a very brave act,
where Theseus takes action to attack Thebes immediately without prior inquiry. The
second proof of Theseus‟ courage is taking a direct action to attack Thebes without
prior inquiry, because there is no line that explains Theseus conducts an investigation
of the words of the widow who begged him. The description above is a proof the
courage of Theseus verbally, courage shown orally that we can see from his oath.
Theseus attacks the city of Thebes which is inhabited by Creon. He attacks
victims of the attack. In this line of Theseus showed courage in carrying out his oath,
avenge the old widows‟ revenge toward Creon, and Theseus kills Creon as manly
knight. Line 986-988 shows how Theseus attacks Thebes. Theseus success in killing
Creon as manly knight, as described by persona as narrator on lines 896-897:
With Creon, he that was of Thebes king, 896
He fought, and slew him like a manly knight (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Theseus kills and treats the bodies of Creon as manly knight, not like the
tyrant Creon‟s way in treating the dead, in this case are the widows‟ husband's body
who were killed in Thebes. This attitude is a kind of courageous deeds because
Theseus has shown honorable deeds to the people of Greece, that is how to treat the
bodies of the dead in the war, even though for the enemy‟s corpse.
Theseus does not attack people of Thebes when he assaults that City, but
evacuated them before. It can be viewed on line 987. The assault has made the city
were devastated. Theseus razes the wall of Thebes as described by persona as
narrator on lines 989 – 990..
In open battle, and put the folk to flight 987
And by assault he won the city after,
And razed the walls, every spar and rafter; (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
It is a non-verbal proof of the courage of Theseus which showed courage
through action. The action that he did is a kind of courage act. He evacuates residents
of the city first, and only attacked the king and his followers.
Arcita is a knight who was captured by Theseus, together with his cousin
Palamon which is also a knight of Thebes. Arcita was released on parole by Theseus
on death. Arcita which has already free from the prison decides to get back to
Athens. Arcita‟s decision to go back to Athens shown on lines 1394-1398:
Now, truly, however much it pains my heart,‟ 1394 Quoth he, „to Athens right now will I fare.
Not even for dread of death will I despair But see my lady that I love and serve;
In her presence from death I shall not swerve.‟ (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Line 1394 is the heart voice of Arcita, because his heart was deeply hurt after
being away from Athens. This is because he no longer can see the woman that he
loves in Athens. The next line is Arcita‟s intention to get back to Athens. At that
moment, when his heart was deeply hurt, he decided to return to Athens. He returned
to Athens to heal his wounded heart because of loving a woman. Line 1395 indicates
where Arcita can heal the wounded heart that is Athens.
Line 1396 is evidence which show the courage of Arcita, that he dares to
sacrifice his life for something that he yearns that is healing his wounded heart. The
longing is described on line 1397 that is seeing and serves the woman he loves. This
is the only way that the heart can be healed. Line 1397 also indicates that if Arcita
could see the woman he loves, then it will be a cure for his wounded heart. Line 1398
shows Arcita‟s will to get back to Athens, by stating that he would not cancel his
intention for the sake of seeing the woman he loved, although death is the risk that
must be faced. Lines above show the courageous deed of Arcita verbally that is
through an internal communication with his self. He dares to back to Athens despite
Arcita moves back and live in Athens by disguise as foreigners, who works as
a laborer on lines 1406 to 1409. With the disguise, Arcita could see the woman that
he loves closer every day.
Live in Athens evermore unknown, 1406
And see his lady well nigh every day.
described on line 1415, before finally he works as Emily‟s Chamberlain that is those
who take care of Emily‟s Chamber as described by persona as narrator on the lines
1418 to 1419:
To Athens is he gone the quickest way. 1418
And to the court he went upon a day,
And at the gate offered his services, 1415
To drudge and draw, whatever men thought best. And briefly of this matter to explain,
He started work for a chamberlain,
The which was dwelling there with Emily, 1419
(Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Arcita works diligently for two years and made Emily‟s household
well-organized as told by persona as narrator on lines 1426-1427. Arcita names himself
Philostrate that we can see on line 1428, in order to make the disguise is not known
by anyone. He does it for seeing the woman he loves that is Emily.
A year or two he laboured in this wise, 1426
Line above shows the courage of Arcita. This was done in order to keep
seeing her woman Emily, sister of Duke Theseus. He returned to Athens, disguised,
and named himself Philostrate, even he worked as a page chamber Emily.
The description above shows the courage deeds of Arcita. He is able to return
to Athens in guise of strangers at first. Although through disguise, this action is a
quite brave action because if he caught, he will lose his life because he has been tied
to an agreement with Theseus before that he would not get back to Athens. Secondly,
he also works as a chamberlain of Emily, which makes him closer to the risk of
death. The risk of death is getting close because he deals directly with Emily who is
the sister of Theseus. Caught in Athens already make him put on death, but in this
action he not only live in Athens, but also works in the castle, as a page of Emily‟s
Chamber. Arcita‟s acts are actual evidence of Arcita‟s courage which demonstrated
directly by deeds.
Palamon is a knight of Thebes which also succeed escape from prison, like
his cousin Arcita who is also a knight of Thebes. Arcita and Palamon involve in a
conflict; they both love Emily, the sister of Duke Theseus. As a knight, Palamon also
shows some chivalry which will be discussed.
Palamon shows courageous deed for the first time when he escaped from
prison in Athens and he got a hide in a forest. When he was on his hide, he met his
cousin Arcita, and Palamon shows courageous deed toward Arcita. He dares to kill
Arcita because Arcita also love Emily, even though Arcita is bounded by knighthood
to him. These lines prove that Palamon would risk his life for the love of Emily.
Lines 1587-1593 are a proof of courageous deed of Palamon, which is showed
You will be killed, or else kill me; 1587 You shall not have my lady Emily,
I alone will love her, no other so.
For I am Palamon, your, mortal foe, 1590
And though I have no weapon in this place, But out of prison am escaped by grace, I doubt not you will be slain by me, (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Lines above are Palamon‟s word which is addressed to Arcita. Line 1587
shows the courage of Palamon. He dares to kill Arcita, even though they still
bounded by knighthood. In those lines Palamon also expresses his courage that he is
ready to die if Arcita wanted to kill him. Both of Arcita and Palamon love Emily.
This can be proved from the lines 1588-1589, for Palamon is not willing Arcita love
Emily too. It is the source of conflict between Palamon and Arcita.
Line 1590 is a Palamon‟s statement towards Arcita, that Palamon has no
longer regards him as his knighthood. Palamon has perceived Arcita as his enemies
till his death. Palamon emphasizes again his desire to kills Arcita if Arcita did not
stop for loving Emily as shown in lines 1591-1593, although Arcita has weapon at
that moment but not Palamon.
The word kill is repeated twice on the line 1587 and on the line 1593 in
another form that is slain. It can be deduced that from those nine lines, the dare to kill
Arcita is emphasized by Palamon, even though Arcita is his cousin. Palamon has
demonstrated an attitude of courage verbally, through his direct words to Arcita.
Courageous of Arcita and Palamon also contain in their duel on the next day
after they met in the woods. They duel knightly with weapons and armor in the same
narrator like as a hunter who was on hunting for lions or bears as described on lines
1638-1640:
Just like a hunter in the realms of Thrace, 1638
Who stands out in the open with a spear, When on a hunt for lion or for bear, (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Hunt for wild animals is an activity that need an enormous courage, because
it would risk the life of the hunter. This duel is likened a hunter and a wild animal,
both would risked their own life. The hunter could lose his life because of the
animal‟s ferocity, and the animals also could lose his life because of the skills of the
hunter. The winner of the battle has the right to live, either the duel between Palamon
and Arcita, who wins has the right to live and love Emily.
The life and death duel is emphasized again by persona as Palamon on line
1643 “Without fail he must die, or death for me;”, (Chaucer in Kline, 2005). The
duel which is likened hunters and wild animals should be resolved at that time by
fighting to the death.
They fight to the death, for the right to love Emily. This line has shown the
courage deed of both knights, Palamon and Arcita which dare to risk their life for
loving Emily. The duel is the only chance to determine who has the right to live and
love Emily. Courageous deed of Arcita and Palamon on those lines is demonstrated
through a duel. Their duel is a life and death fight, as described in the lines above.
Both Palamon and Arcita are pictured as a bear or a lion hunter. Each considers their
opponents as a game animal. Hunting for bear or lion is an activity that needs a big
courage, because the hunting of wild animals is very risky. This duel is expressed
is an attitude of courage shown by Palamon and Arcita actually through duel activity.
They risk their life in a duel, as a solution for who has the right to love Emily.
Courageous deed of Arcita and Palamon can be seen again in a tournament
that held by Theseus. Arcita‟s courage shown by persona as narrator in the lines
2581-2582 where Arcita leads hundred of knights who are ready to fight against
Palamon‟s legion.
And westward through the gates under Mars, 2581
Arcita and his hundred men of war, With banner red has entered at once, (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Courage of Arcita on the lines can be related to Mars, the god of war who is
the god of Roman. Mars is the god of the formidable figure, haughty, and known has
no mercy in war. The Romans believed if a warrior prays to Mars before fighting,
then he will gain victory in the battle. The lines also explained that Arcita carrying
the red banner. The color red is a symbol of burning courage. Courage of Arcita can
be concluded as a strength knight, has no mercy in war, and have a burning courage,
who dares to sacrifice their self for the sake of victory.
Palamon‟s courage also shown in this tournament by persona as narrator on
the lines from 2589 to 2591. Palamon also leads a hundred of knights that will fight
against the Arcita‟s legion.
And at the selfsame moment Palamon 2589
Beneath Venus eastward, to that place, 2590
With banner white and bold of face. (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Courage of Palamon on the line can be related to a Romans‟ goddess that is
Venus. Venus is Romans‟ goddess of love which is known as a graceful goddess.
The lines also explained that Palamon carrying a white flag. The white color is a
symbol of purity and sincerity. The courage of Palamon can be concluded as a pure
courage in maintaining love.
The lines shows the courage of Palamon and Arcita when the tournament is
held. They face each other with their legions which are ready to fight. The lines
prove the courage which is shown by Arcita and Palamon. They show the courage
actually, that is a dare to fight knightly with their own legion, which must be risking
their lives too.
When war begins, both Arcita and Palamon showed enormous courage.
Arcita‟s courage in the battle described by Narrator is like a tiger of Gargaphia on
lines 2626-2629:
No tiger in the vale of Gargaphia, 2626
When her whelp is stolen, when it‟s little, As Arcita on the hunt could be as cruel, (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Lines above illustrate the courage of Arcita. Arcita is described by the
narrator as persona like a tigress that has lost her child which made the tigress is very
ferocious. The Courage of Arcita has made himself having the nature as a tigress,
which is very cruel and jealousy heart towards Palamon in the tournament.
Meanwhile, courage of Palamon on the battle is described by persona as
narrator like an angry hunger Morocco lion on lines 2630-2633:
Nor in Morocco is so fell a lion, 2630
In the battle, Palamon is described as an angry lion which driven by hungry.
The courage of Palamon made his self has the same nature as the angry lions, which
thirst of his prey‟s blood. Palamon considers Arcita as his prey, so that his hunger
will be satisfied if the blood flows from Arcita‟s body. Palamon becomes someone
who is very thirst for the blood of his eternal enemy Arcita. The description is a
metaphor of a form of courage that is belonged by Palamon and Arcita. Both of them
no longer have fearless because the desire to be a person who has the right to have
Emily.
Having analyzed all of the courageous deeds which have been done by
Theseus, Palamon, and Arcita, then it is found that they keep their self in bravery.
They do not have any fear to do something even though it would risk their own life.
They are ready if they must sacrifice their life to acquire something that they want
most. Theseus shows his courage to fight Creon, king of Thebes without showing his
fear. His action in assaulting Thebes must be risk his life, because he also get in the
war with his legion. Anytime he could lose his life in that battle but his courage gives
victory to him. He also shows his courage not only by act, but also through his
words. His oath to avenge Creon can be considered as a courageous deed, because he
is not just saying his oath but also fulfill it to be real. Palamon and Arcita either show
their courageous deeds through their words and their actions. The courageous deed
that they show through their action that is Palamon and Arcita dare to duel each other
knightly, full of weapons and armor. Their duel is an illegal activity but they still do
not have any fear to hold the duel. Their courage in the duel is pictured by persona as
cruel animals, which show their ferocity to their enemy. They also show their
self that is to get back to Athens which could make lost his life. He would be put on
death if he got caught by Theseus, duke of Athens. Palamon shows his bravery
through his words when he met with Arcita. He said that he dared to kill Arcita
because Arcita also love the woman that he love, even Arcita is his cousin and
bounded by knighthood to him. He also accepts Arcita‟s challenge to duel there on
the next day. It can be deduced that courage generally shown by actions and by
words or verbally. Knights always fulfill their words and it should bring it to reality.
So it is cleared that Theseus, Palamon, and Arcita show courageous deeds in this tale.
4.2 Readiness to Help the Weak
A knight should be able to help people who are trapped in a difficulty. People
who are in difficulty are those who do not have the power or authority to change or
to do something that can improve or make up their life. Readiness in helping the
weak attitude is demonstrated through Theseus, who was a persona as a knight in The
Knight's Tale and this attitude are not found in other knight, Palamon and Arcita.
This attitude will be analyzed by describing the lines which shows the knight has the
readiness to help those who are weak.
The attitude of helping the weak demonstrated firstly by Theseus when he
was on his way to the town where he was blocked by a group of women who
immediately appealed before him. These women are the ones who are weak as said
by a woman in lines 931-933:
I, wretched Queen, that weep and wail thus 931
Was once the wife of King Capaneus
Who died at Thebes – accursed be the day
The woman was once the queen of the king Capaneus, who was murdered in
Thebes. Thebes is a city ruled by king Capaneus , before the city ruled by Creon, and
all the knights of Capaneus killed inhumanely by Creon. This is proof that women
can be classified into those who are weak, because they do not have the ability or
power to make their self better, to avenge Creon personally. In addition, these
women may also be classified as a weak person if we seen from the status, because
they no longer have their husband who is supposed to be their protector. Their
powerlessness can be viewed on lines 949-951:
They fell prone and cried piteously: 949
Have on us wretched women some mercy, And let our sorrow penetrate your heart!‟ (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Lines above shows that these women are very helpless. It can be seen from
their begging for mercy and compassion of Theseus, by appealing and crying in front
of Theseus. They also state that they are wretched woman. They asked for help to
who has the power that is Theseus, Duke of Athens that they consider be able to help
them to avenge the Creon and they also beg him to return the bodies of their
husband. Theseus showed his compassion to the widow who begged for his help to
return the bodies of their husbands who were treated inhumanely by Creon. Lines
952-955 showed alacrity of Theseus in helping the weak, the widows who begging
on him.
The noble Duke with pity gave a start, 952
Lines above tells us that Theseus, Duke of Athens response the women. After
hearing the request of the women, he fell from his horse soon. On the lines explained
that Theseus has a sense of empathy for these women, as seen in lines 954-955, his
heart would broken after seeing the piteous victims like those women. Theseus‟
attitude which is shown proves that he has a sense of compassion for the weak.
Compassion and willing to help immediately arises in him after hearing the crying of
the widows who ask for compassion. Theseus does not only show compassion, but
eventually he decided to help them to avenge Creon, and restore their husband's body
by attacking Thebes, where Creon ruled city.
The attitude to help the weak by Theseus also showed when he attacked
Thebes, to avenge the women who ask his help. Theseus who won the battle in the
city, shows his mercy toward Thebes‟ knights, which is the knight of Creon who
dying on the battlefield. Arcita and Palamon are the knights who were seriously
injured after the battle occurred. They were injured and almost died because they
wounded in almost all of their body, as stated by persona as narrator on lines 1010
and 1011.
Pierced with many a grievous bloody wound, 1010
Two young knights, lying side by side, (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Theseus shows his mercy to the weak, in this case toward Palamon and
Arcita, which are followers of his enemy Creon. Lines below show that Theseus
sends Arcita and Palamon which were injured seriously to prison in Athens. This
attitude can be seen on lines 1022-1024:
And he at once has them swiftly sent 1022
Perpetually; allowing them no ransom. (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Palamon and Arcita are the nephews of Creon, sons of his sister as stated on
lines 1017 – 1019:
The heralds knew them, amongst them all, 1017
And that they were of the blood royal Of Thebes, and of two sisters born. (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Line above tells us that Palamon and Arcita are recognized by the followers
of Theseus. They are recognizable because they are "royal blood" of Creon as we can
see on line 1018. The word „sisters‟ on line 1019 can be interpreted as biological
sisters of the king of Thebes, Creon. Lines above show the compassion of Duke
Theseus to both of Theban knights who was injured when Theseus assaulted the city.
Arcita and Palamon, are not killed by Theseus, but they are sent to the prison and no
one can make up for their freedom.
Palamon and Arcita found when the grave diggers were busy in burying the
dead knights of Athens and Thebes which were killed in the war. Palamon and Arcita
were wounded seriously when the workers found them, and brought them to the
place where Theseus has a rest. By sending them to prison, indirectly it can be
deduced that Theseus has been helping the weak. It is not impossible if Theseus
executed them to avenge the widows, but he did not. Compassion arise in him by
give them a lighter punishment by imprisoning them. The knight can be classified
into those who are weak because they have been very badly hurt because of the war
and they do not have the possibility to heal their wounds, do not have the power to
fight back or even to escape. Although do not described in any line, of course we
the war, although they locked up in prison then. Theseus‟s attitude can be considered
up into an attitude of readiness to help the weak which shown while dealing with the
powerless knights.
Having analyzed readiness to help the weak deed, if is found that readiness to
help the weak is just only shown by Theseus. Some of descriptions above can be
deduced that compassion is owned by Theseus. He does not view the status of the
people who are weak. He immediately decides to help those who are weak, such as
the widows and his enemy. The widows are considered as the weak because of their
status makes them more powerless, while his enemies are considered as the weak
because of their wounds. The widows who are appealed before him is helped by his
action in avenging Creon and restoring their husband‟s bones back to them. He
immediately flies his banner and walks to Thebes with his legion to avenge Creon.
After that war, he is given two Theban knights which are wounded badly. Those
knights are the followers and the nephews of the tyrant king. He helps those knights
by giving them a lighter punishment that is condemned in the prison in Athens.
Those knights are the followers of the tyrant king.
4. 3 Religious
One of the attitudes contained in Chivalry is a knight must devout himself in
what he believed. The knights in this tale believe that worship towards the gods
exactly will point their way and how they should act. The Knights also believe that
their fate is in the hands of the gods which they believed. The speaker in The
Knight's Tale has confidence to the gods of ancient Roman belief. Palamon believes
to Venus that is the Roman‟s goddess of romance, which is believed to regulate any
to provide protection and strength in battle, meanwhile Theseus believes to Mars,
Venus, and Diana.
Palamon is devoted to Venus, one of the ancient Roman goddess. This
attitude was first seen when he was with Arcita in the prison while looking toward
Emily‟s figure in the park. This we can know through lines 1111-1112:
Is the cause of all my crying and my woe. 1100
I know not if she be woman or a goddess, But Venus she is in truth, I‟d guess.‟ (Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Line 1100 is the explanation of Palamon condition that time. Palamon feels
so sad because he is in prison, and at that time he saw a beautiful woman, so that
makes him fall in love with her. That causes Palamon being so sad, and the sadness
makes him think that the woman is Venus in truth. Line 1113 is a statement of
Palamon, when he believed that the figure he saw was a figure of Venus, the goddess
that he believed. After he thinks that he has saw Venus, then he shows his faith
through lines 1103-1107:
And with that on his knees down he fell 1103
And said: Venus, if it be your will To appear before me in this figure
In that garden, a sorrowful wretched creature, Out of this prison help us to escape.
(Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
From the lines can be identified how Palamon trusts Venus. Once he
believes he had seen that figure as Venus, he immediately knelt down and prayed to
Venus that appears in a figure of a beautiful woman in the park out of the prison.
Contain of the prayer can be identified on line 1107, which he begged Venus to help
he believed as Venus appeared. Palamon also give up his life to Venus as well as on
Palamon also asks Venus to love his relation, although Palamon destined to
die in prison. This second prayer of Palamon is a form of giving up his live to Venus.
He believes Venus will love his relation and their descendants who may be treated
arbitrarily by the ruler of Thebes that is Theseus. Lines above are the words of
Palamon when he saw Emily from the prison bars. He considers that the Goddess
Venus appears in a figure of Emily, so he makes a prayer to Venus. Palamon's
attitude here is a kind devout attitude, because he hopes and believes that Venus is
heard his prayer.
Believing in Venus which is shown by Palamon also can be seen when he
went to the Altar of Venus. Palamon comes to Venus because he wants to be ready
for the tournament which will be held in the next day. Palamon comes to her, pray
and pour out his heart. Palamon glorify the image of Venus, the Roman goddess
which he believes and adores. The adoration is shown by Palamon on lines
2221-2224, by higher and exalting the position of Venus as one of the influential goddess
in Roman.
„Fairest of Fair, O my lady Venus, 2221 Daughter to Jove and spouse to Vulcanus, Who gladden Cithaeron‟s summit,
Lines above show us how Palamon adored Venus. Before invoke something
to her, Palamon adored Venus first by exalting the name of Venus. Line 2221 proves
that Palamon believe Venus as a fairy goddess. It is a sign that Palamon expects a
justice from Venus in the tournament which will be held on the next day.
Palamon exalts Venus again through his words. It can be seen on lines
2222-2224, where Palamon is exalting the position of Venus as a great goddess and has an
important position in his capacity as a goddess. As said by Palamon, Venus can be
classified as the great goddess because she is the daughter of the god Jove or Jupiter,
the king of the Roman gods, who sits on the sky. Venus is also the wife of Vulcanus,
god of fire who is also the son of the god Jupiter from goddess Juno. Venus is also
the mother of Adonis, the goddess of beauty and desire. This praise was appointed by
Palamon because he believes that Venus will listen to his prayer after he worships
and exalts Venus first.
After worshiping and exalting Venus, Palamon express the purpose of his
arrival. The purpose of his arrival can be seen on lines 2225-2226:
Have pity on my bitter tears‟ smart, 2225 And take my humble prayer to heart.
(Chaucer in Kline, 2005)
Lines above show us that Palamon comes to Venus with a broken heart. He
begs for Venus‟ compassion, accepts his request and grants it to be realty. He appeals
to Venus as a weak and suffering creature as shown on line 2227-2229:
Alas, I neither language have to tell 2227
