The Tragedy of Arcite: A Reconsideration of the 'Knight's Tale'

Author / Editor
Schmidt, A. V. C.

Title
The Tragedy of Arcite: A Reconsideration of the 'Knight's Tale'

Published
Essays in Criticism 19 (1969): 107-17.

Description
Argues that KnT is "mainly about" the tragedy of Arcite rather than the success of Palamon. The latter mistakes both the nature of Emelye and the rivalry of Arcite, who is a "worthier" man. Like Troilus, Arcite falls in fortune, and ultimately fails in his pursuit of chivalric love; together they comprise Chaucer's critique of "medieval secular idealism" insofar as they fail to achieve the ideal in this world.

Chaucer Subjects
Knight and His Tale
Troilus and Criseyde
Sources, Analogues, and Literary Relations