In the general prologue of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the first character portrait presented is that of the knight. Although the knights of Chaucer's time were commonly perceived as upstanding, moral, Christian leaders in society, underlying Chaucer-the-Pilgrim's largely flattering and respectful depiction of the Knight is Chaucer-the-Pilgrim's slightly sarcastic and accusatory version -Poet of representation. By comparing and contrasting these two representations of the Knight, the reader realizes that the Knight is a dichotomous and contradictory character, neither entirely “good” nor entirely “bad.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While Chaucer-the-Pilgrim's portrait of the Knight is that of a man of high moral character, Chaucer-the-Poet subtly inserts suggestions that the Knight is not as respectable and honorable as he seems. Chaucer-the-Pilgrim praises the Knight incessantly. He uses some form of the word “worthy” to describe him four times in the 36 lines of the Knight's portrait (in lines 43, 47, 50, 68). The reader is told that the Knight "loved chivalry/ Trouthe and honour, liberty and curteisye" (45-46). He was also "always honored for his dignity" (50) and had been "in many noble armies" (60). In addition to being "a knight verray, parfit, gentil" (72), the Knight was a decent and nice person, in general. “He nevere yet no vileinye ne sayde/ In al his lyf, unto no maner wight” (70-71) and was “meke as is a mayde” (69). Thanks to Chaucer-the-Pilgrim's constant repetition of the Knight's prowess in battle (he uses half the lines in the Knight's profile to discuss his battle record), perhaps Chaucer-the-Poet is suggesting that the Knight is not so wonderful as Chaucer-the-Pilgrim believes. In stark contrast to the Pilgrim's favorable portrayal of the Knight, The Poet describes the Knight as an unnecessarily and excessively violent person. Speaking of all the battles and wars in which the Knight had participated, the reader learns that "until then he had ridden, no man shod" (48). The Knight appears to have taken part in almost all the major battles of his time, including but not limited to the Crusades, for "he had been fifteen years old at the deadly battles" (61). The Pilgrim's comments that the Knight "had returned late" (77) from the war and was still wearing a tunic "bismoterized from his habergeoun" (76) may be the Poet's way of suggesting that the Knight has something to confess, or whether it goes. of his proverbial and literal chest, something that couldn't wait long enough for the Knight to change his clothes and get some rest. That line may symbolize that the Knight has allowed his exploits on the battlefield to go beyond the external and affect him internally, perhaps in his soul, simply fighting to fight. However, in Chaucer's time it was not uncommon for men to fight for personal glory as well as the Lord. Therefore, although Chaucer-the-Poet's comments and excessive portrayals of the Knight as warlike do not necessarily mean that the Knight is a bloodthirsty maniac, they cast some doubt on his "meke" personality. From the point of view of Chaucer-the-Pilgrim, the Knight is a shining example of a Christian. He fought in the Crusades. He is dutifully making the Christian pilgrimage to the site of Thomas Becket's martyrdom and, by default, fulfills the role of leader of the journey. He is so Christian that, in his haste to fulfill his pilgrimage duty, he doesn't even stop to change his clothes".