Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is about twenty-nine pilgrims who join Chaucer on a pilgrimage to Canterbury to the shrine of Saint Thomas A. Becket. Two of the people on the journey are the Knight and the Squire. Although the Knight is the Squire's father, their personalities, appearances, and reasons for going on the pilgrimage are completely opposite. .
The Knight is "a most distinguished man." He fought and won many battles. His chivalry motivated him to do the best that he possibly could. On the other hand, the Squire had not been in many battles. He was not concerned with chivalry, but was more concerned with how this quality would make him look. He was more interested in impressing women than fighting. .
Along with their different feelings about knighthood, the two also differed in appearances. The Knight dressed humbly in a simple tunic which was "stained and dark" from battle. However, the Squire's clothes were extravagant, and he had "locks as curly as if they had been pressed." He spent the majority of his time on his appearance. .
Another difference in the two is their reasons for going on the pilgrimage. The Knight was on the pilgrimage for religious reasons and to "render thanks." As much as this journey was religious to the Knight, to the Squire it was completely opposite. The Squire saw this pilgrimage as basically a vacation. .
Despite the fact that they are father and son, the Knight and the Squire are truly separate individuals. The Knight is modest and whole-hearted, whereas the Squire is cocky and self-centered. While the Knight is perfect and whole-hearted, the Squire is extremely hypocritical.