The Comparison of Time Periods in The Canterbury Tales

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The Comparison of Time Periods in The Canterbury Tales

One of the most important pieces of English literature is Geoffrey Chaucer’s, The Canterbury Tales. This piece is highly regarded, because it gives insight into the simplicity of life in England, through it’s extensive cast of characters. One of the most important parts of this piece is the General Prologue. The General Prologue is very important to the piece, because Chaucer uses it to contrast characters with similar backgrounds or jobs. This contrast can be seen vividly in the descriptions of the Knight and the Squire. Both the Knight and the Squire are examples of warriors, but of different ages and social standing; because of this, Chaucer is able to depict the differences between the attitudes of the late Medieval society and blossoming age of Renaissance. By using similar characters and similar characterizations, Chaucer is able to illuminate the vast differences between the Knight and the Squire.

Chaucer’s primary description of the Knight and his battles is that of untarnished virtue. Chaucer says, “...he loved chivalrye, Trouthe and honour, freedom and curteisye” (General Prologue, 45-46). Chaucer describes the Knight as the perfect noble knight. The Knight’s true love is of chivalry and honor. He is depicted as a warrior who does his duty, because it is right. He believes in what he does, and isn’t a warrior for any other reason. Chaucer further portrays this quality about the Knight through the battles which he has been involved in. The Knight was never involved in a battle of secular nature. The Knight only fought in religious wars. Chaucer once says, “...And foughten for our faith at Tramissene...” (General Prologue, 62). This line implie...

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...ht, carried over to his clothing and actions. Chaucer tells us, “[Embroidered] was he as it were a [meadow] Al full of fresshe flowers, white and red; Singing he was or floiting all day...” (General Prologue, 89-91). The Squire walks about as if he were the king of the world, seemingly without a trouble in his mind. This gives him the appearance that he considers himself superior to everyone around him.

The Knight and the Squire, though they both have virtually the same profession, act, dress, think and carry themselves very differently. By pairing these two characters together in his prologue, Chaucer is able to show his readers the social corruption that the Squire has, while showing more clearly the integrity and honor of the Knight. This also helps to portray the vast changes between the honorable medieval times and the more materialistic renaissance.

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