Arcite moans and groans and feels sorry for himself, convinced that Palamon is better off than him because he gets to see Emily every day. The only catch is that Arcite has to leave Athens and never set foot in the city again. Soon, Arcite gets out of jail because he and Theseus have a mutual friend, who petitioned to get Arcite released. Arcite finally decides that it's a dumb argument to have since both knights will be in prison forever, they'll just have to love Emily from afar with no hope of consummation. The knights argue about who gets dibs on Emily. But as soon as he lays eyes on Emily, he falls for her too. Hearing his cry, Arcite runs to his cousin.

Palamon sees her from the prison window and immediately starts crushing on her. One day in early May, Emily walks in the garden, gathering flowers.

Theseus throws Palamon and Arcite in the slammer (a tower next to his garden), without ransom. In the process, he wins two noble Theban hostages, cousins Palamon and Arcite. They beg Theseus to take vengeance on Creon, King of Thebes, because of his refusal to allow them to give their husbands' bodies a proper burial. Sounds like a pretty successful trip, right? Along the way, Theseus & Co. The noble Duke Theseus of Athens is on his way home from his invasion of Scythia, where he has won a wife, Hippolyta, and a sister-in-law, Emily. The Canterbury Tales both depict and satirize the conventions of these turbulent times.The Canterbury Tales: The Knight's Tale Summary Chaucer himself was a member of this new middle class. A new middle class consisting of educated workers such as merchants, lawyers, and clerks was beginning to gain power, particularly in urban areas. Peasant revolts such as the Jack Straw rebellion of 1381 raged through the countryside. However, in the late 14th century, this structure was breaking down. The rest of the population consisted of the peasant working class. The nobility was strictly bound to many rules of chivalry and courtliness. The church represented people who prayed but did not work for a living this holy sector of society was supported by the other two and was not supposed to be concerned with material goods. Medieval society traditionally consisted of three estates: the church, the nobility, and the peasantry.

After the horrors of the Black Death, many people were questioning the Church’s authority, and groups such as the Lollards rebelled against the power that priests wielded. The Catholic Church was undergoing huge shifts and changes. The late 14th century was a chaotic time in England.

The knight's tale by geoffrey chaucer