Chivalry, heroism, and modesty delineate the Knight, whose upright standards and principles illustrate a true gentleman; these characteristics are not evident in the Squire. Even though the Knight has won many wars, he is careful not to brag about his
ctories. The most recurrent point in the description of the Knight is the abundance and importance of his conquests; however, the Squire’s battles are barely mentioned. While the entirety of the Squire’s battles are summed up in two lines (“he had se
some service with the cavalry / In Flanders and Artois and Picardy”), the list of the Knight’s battles dominates his description (Chaucer 120).
The Squire’s battles are not fought in the interest of his chivalry. On the other hand, the Knight is disti
uished and chivalrous because of his unconditional devotion. Chaucer admired the valiant and noble Knight above the overbearing Squire.
The Essay on Times Of Battle Knight Squire One
In the Middle Ages, being a knight was the most honorable position a man could hold. They were heavily regarded as the most honest, courageous, and brave individuals that one could be. But, one could not just decide to be a knight, and easily become one. There was a very long process involved in becoming a knight, one that took up about fifteen years of a future-knight's life. If one was born of ...
Regarding clothing and appearance, the humble Knight chooses to wear a plain armor and tunic while the Squire frivolously indulges in excesses. The Squire is an extremely vain individual, taking pains to improve his appearance. His superfluous appare
is clean and bright and his hair has “locks as curly as if they had been pressed”(120).
This greed for wealth and beauty definitely does not abide by the code of chivalry and is unnecessary for his knighthood. The Knight, more concerned with gallantry
never partakes in such nonsense. He is by far the most chivalrous and heroic.
The Knight’s motivation is based on chivalry and religion, contrasting to the Squire who merely wants to impress the ladies. The Squire wastes time and energy that could be channeled more towards his knightly duties. The real motivation of the Squires not based on chivalry, rather it is the appearance of chivalry he wishes to display. Chaucer stated that the Knight, “from the day on which he first began / To ride abroad, had followed chivalry”(119).
The Knight is utterly sincere and whole-hearted
n his pursuits. Unfortunately, the reasons for becoming a cavalier are self-seeking and egotistical in the Squire’s case opposed to the selfless Knight.
Despite the fact that the Knight and the Squire share the same class and occupation, the Knight represents the perfect society while the Squire portrays the society of that time. The Knight is an image that all true knights struggle to be, practicing
e chivalrous qualities such as dedication, humility, and honesty. The true and complete knight is unknown. The Squire, on the other hand, is pretentious, shallow, and devious. This is a reflection of not only knights but people of that time.
Chaucer as not merely comparing two knights and depicting virtues of chivalry, but in a grander sense was revealing the corruption of humanity by comparing the difference between the reality of the human race and the ideal of perfection.
