The Knight's Tale: Chivalry and Class and Chaucer

I recently watched The Knight's Tale. Yes, a movie inspired by a tale from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Before we start, this classic collection includes 24 tales told by pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Chaucer himself appears as a narrator and a character among the pilgrims, adding his unique voice to the mix. Although he planned to write 120 tales, he left us with these 24.

The Knight's Tale is one of these stories, follows William Thatcher, a peasant with a dream of becoming a knight, a title reserved for those of noble birth. He's fed up with the life he's been living, and, along with his two lovely friends, he decides to break free from this societal chain. He knows he can't do this directly, so he hides his true identity to challenge the rigid class system. It's not just about striving for a better life but also about the right to love and be loved. It feels like people from the lower class aren't even seen as having the right to sit among the nobles or experience love as they do, a story of ambition, self worth and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of jousting tournaments and the rigid social hierarchy of the Middle Ages.

the highlights of the movie is Geoffrey Chaucer himself, beautifully portrayed by Paul Bettany. His character adds a layer of humor and charm, helping William forge a noble identity. This playful inclusion brings a touch of Chaucer's own wit and cleverness to the film, capturing the essence of what makes his writing so enduring. All that old English made my heart beat faster—a beautiful piece of cinema, or we can say originally literature. Though I haven't read the Canterbury Tales yet, it's high on my list, but watching this movie gave me a taste of what Chaucer’s world might be like. If the story is anything like the film, I can see why The Knight's Tale is often considered one of the best among Chaucer's works.

One of the film's striking aspects is how it portrays the value of being a woman. The men in that era would often say with pride, "I will win this war for you, I will win this tournament for you." Jocelyn, the woman William falls in love with, challenges this notion. When William, in a state of pride, Like many other Knight declares he will win the tournament for her, Jocelyn refuses to be a mere prize. She points out that such victories are more about a man's ego than genuine love. She asks him to lose the tournament if he truly loves her, to prove that his actions are not about pride or ego but about her. Thatcher, in a beautiful display of his love and respect for her, does exactly that, getting injured in the process. Later, in a twist, Jocelyn asks him to win again, which he does. It's both funny and emotional, shedding light on how men perceive women and exposing various themes about love, pride, and the expectations placed upon both genders.The movie—or tale—isn’t just about knights fighting for the favor of Lady Jocelyn, as I see people saying. It delves deeper, The antagonist, Count Adhemar, represents the established social order, while William embodies the struggle to rise above one’s birthright.

For those who are familiar with Chaucer or just enjoy a good historical tale, this movie is definitely worth a watch. And if you get the time to read The Canterbury Tales before I do, don't forget to tell me...

Happy watching or reading!