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Canterbury Tales

            In The Knight's Tale many of the characters are affected by outside forces beyond human control. It seems as though when one character has fallen on good fortune, another character experiences misfortune. Through the use of idealistic images, diction and figurative language Chaucer shows that outside forces influence the character's lives.
             Emily is first introduced as " lovelier to look at than the lily upon its green stalk, and fresher than May with its spring flowers ." The comparison between Emily and the bright images of beauty and youthfulness suggest that Emily is being influenced by the forces of nature. The image of a "pale and deathlike" countenance that consumes Palamon when he first lays eyes upon Emily suggests that some grave misfortune has fallen upon him. Palamon is also first introduced on the same May morning with the sun " bright and the morning fair- but he is confined to "The great tower, very thick and strong, which was the chief dungeon of the castle" and accordingly his persona is "woeful" and "sorrowful. Instead of being overjoyed at seeing his true love, Palamon is greatly distressed because he can never speak with her. Palamon's ill fate revolves around fortune's wheel. .
             Emily's lovely appearance is enhanced by the personification of May which " won't stand for slug-a-beds arouses every gentle heart and makes him start up from his sleep." Once again the forces of nature cause Emily to act a certain way and thus her " clothes were bright and new in appearance; Her blond hair was twined in a braid down her back-a yard long- The personification of May exemplifies how the forces of nature play a vital role in Emily's appearance and her fanciful behavior. On the other hand, Palamon's unfortunate disposition is revealed by the personification of "Fortune" which " has given us this adversity." Emily seems not to have a care in the world, while Palamon is destined to suffer for life.


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