The Knight - Chaucher

Materie:	Appunti
Categoria:	Inglese
Download:	500
Data:	15.05.2007
Numero di pagine:	2
Formato di file:	.doc (Microsoft Word)

A KNIGHT there was, and what a gentleman
Who, from the moment that he first began
To ride about the world, loved chivalry,
Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy.
Full worthy was he in his sovereign's war,
And therein had he ridden, no man more,
As well in Christendom as heatheness,
And honoured everywhere for worthiness.
At Alexandria, in the winning battle he was there;
Often put in the place of honour, a chair.
Above all nations' knights in Prussia.
In Latvia raided he, and Russia,
No christened man so oft of his degree.
In far Granada at the siege was he
Of Algeciras, and in Belmarie.
At Ayas was he and at Satalye
When they were won; and on the Middle Sea
At many a noble meeting chanced to be.
Of mortal battles he had fought fifteen,
And he'd fought for our faith at Tramissene
Three times in duels, always killed his foe.
This self-same worthy knight had been also
At one time with the lord of Palatye
Against another heathen in Turkey:
And always won he widespread fame for prize.
Though so strong and brave, he was very wise
And of temper as meekly as a maid.
He never yet had any vileness said,
In all his life, to whatsoever wight.
He was a truly perfect, noble knight.
But now, to tell you all of his array,
His steeds were good, but he was not gaily dressed.
A tunic of simple cloth he possesed
Discoloured and stained by his habergeon;
For he had lately returned from his voyage
And now was going on this pilgrimage.
The first character in Chaucer’s prologue is the Knight. Chaucer describes the knight as a worthy wise and brave man who had fought in the Crusades to serve his king well. The Knight is a perfect and gentle man who loved truth, freedom, chivalry and honour; In fact he experienced mortal battles, jousts and being in the lists. . He travelled all around the world fighting in mortal battles against any sort of opponent and was honoured everywhere for his worthness. He fighted in Russia Latvia and Prussian, but also in Far Granada and in Belmarie never being defeated by anyone. Chaucer describes his appearance pointing out his clothes and his horse, that is a part of his equipment. Despite his glorious deeds, the Knight never boasted or bored his travelling companions with stories of his great deeds; his simplicity is one of his point of strength recognized all over the nation he has been through.
The Knight is a positive character, he’s a model who embodies chivalry values, and he’s linked to the feudal world. So the knight is considered one of the most important characters of Canterbury Tales because of his qualities and his exploits, but also for his modesty and magnanimity.