The Knights Tale

Knights Tale

The underlying themes in the "Knight's Tale" are the ideas of love and brotherhood. The concept of courtly love and true companionship are prominent in almost every medieval take of a brave knight and his beautiful lady. Love has great importance in the story of Palamon and Arcita because it is their main motive in the story and is what drives them to risk their lives and fight against their each other. True love and romance is idealized in this tale and society in the Middle Ages. The characters show how love can change a person both physically and mentally. The characters in this tale are often tortured by love, yet will do anything for it. The tale expresses that once one falls in love it unavoidably becomes one's first priority. All men, especially the knight, desire a great and passionate love. To love is to be human. Although, love is the most obvious idea in the "Knight's Tale", the similar theme of friendship and camaraderie is present. Even though Palamon and Arcite turn against each other in the tale, they still have an underlying loyalty to each other. They respect and trust one another. Born cousins, they experienced a lifetime of difficulties and hardships together. They have been though it all with the other by their side. Even when they were in love with the same woman, they were still both equally tortured by love and went through that struggle together. As knights they are admirable men by definition. They are earnest, determined hard workers. When Arcita works as a Chamberlin for the Duke he does the best possible job he can and makes a reputation for himself even though he is concealing the fact that he is a knight. Knight's truly believed in good morals and holds themselves to the best standards. The best example of brotherhood in "The Knight's Tale" is when Arcita is dying in front of his love, Emily, and he tells her to remember