Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of "The Canterbury Tales," presents six components of chivalry in 'The Knight's Tale"." Throughout the story, Chaucer describes six components: prowess, truth, honor, freedom, courtesy, and glory. He conveys these concepts through Theseus, the ruler of Athens. Although Chaucer presents these chivalric codes to many characters, including Arcite and Palamon, I would like to argue that Chaucer mainly attributes these six chivalry components to Theseus. .
In the beginning of the tale, Chaucer introduces Theseus as a conqueror. Chaucer attributes Prowess as one of Theseus' chivalry characteristics. Chaucer describes Theseus with the following remarks:.
There was none mightier beneath the sun.
And many a rich country he had won,.
What with his wisdom and his troops of horse.
He had subdued the Amazons by force. (26).
Furthermore, Chaucer describes the story of Theseus killing Creon as the following: "He conquered Creon there, the Theban king, / And slew him manfully, as became a knight"" (29). Chaucer also assigns another component of chivalry, Truth, to Theseus. When Theseus makes a promise to kill King Creon in order to revenge for a company of woman, Chaucer writes:.
He raised them in his arms and sought to fill.
Their hearts with comfort and with kind good will,.
And swore on oath that as he was true knight. (29).
.
Later, Chaucer demonstrates Theseus' ability to fulfill the oath made to a company of woman to kill Creon. By fulfilling the promise, Theseus represents chivalry in the tale. Theseus shows Honor when he releases Arcite from the prison. Although Arcite should have stayed in the prison for life, Theseus instead releases him from the prison because he once had a bond with one of Arcite's close relatives: "Arcita was awarded his release / Without a ransom; he could go in peace / And was left free to wander where he would" (35).
Chaucer depicts Theseus with Freedom when Theseus acknowledges Palamon as the winner, and makes him as the husband of Emily.
