The Knight’s Tale is a tale about two knights, Arcite and Palamon, who are captured in battle and imprisoned in Athens (a city in ancient Greece). Performances at Court in the Age of Shakespeare - October 2019. Palamon and Arcite were overjoyed by Theseus’s generous gesture and returned to Thebes happily. So, he hated each other. That morning, by chance, Arcite goes to the same grove and, thinking himself alone, recites his history aloud, blaming Juno, Mars, and especially Venus for his plight. More time passes. As previously promised, Arcite is victorious in the battle, and it seems as if the sign Palamon received was misread, but fate proved otherwise. Arcite renounces the bond of brotherhood that they had previously pledged to each other and says that he is ready to fight for the hand of the lady. Arcite and Palamon must gather _____ of the finest men for the tournament. Upon finding Arcite and Palamon dueling in the forest, Theseus decides to hold a tournament 50 weeks from that day. Meanwhile, Palamon languishes in the prison tower. He said that Arcite and Palamon should return within a year with an army of 100 knights each, to fight a joust for winning Emily. Theseus and Perotheus are serious BFFs, but Perotheus is also friends with Arcite, whom he knows from Thebes. Theseus also proposed a scheme to solve the matter of love for Emily. Arcite breaks the bond not only by thinking of himself and not of Palamon, but also by deciding to love Emelye himself instead of helping Palamon to win her (417). Palamon leaps out from his hiding place, calls Arcite a traitor, declares himself to be Arcite’s mortal foe, and challenges him to a duel. We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Arcite was unhappy because he couldn’t see Emily in the garden but Palamon was unhappy too because if Arcite had won the war he could marry Emily. The First Mover. A duke from Thebes released Arcite from prison in paying money but Arcite must leave Athens immediately. under the order of King Theseus. Arcite wins the competition, but while celebrating, he falls off the horseback, getting injured badly. Palamon, who had not recognized Arcite, finally 100. Arcite solves his problem by sneaking into the castle as a working man but his true identity is discovered by Palamon and they intend to duel over Emily. Palamon reveals his own and Arcite's identities, and explains that Emilia is the object of their dispute. Theseus prepares for the tournament by constructing an enormous _____ stadium. Then, one day, a childhood friend of Theseus, named Perotheus, comes to visit Athens. You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section. Before the fight Arcite and Palamon each pray different prayers to … Walking toward Emily, Arcite is fatally wounded, as … Palamon stays imprisoned, able to stay in sight of Emily, but no way to get to her. Update this section! From their prison, the knights see and fall in love with Theseus’s sister-in-law, Emelye. At last, whether by chance or destiny, Palamon escapes and flees to a grove. Hippolyta, Emilia, and Pirithous beg Theseus to show mercy toward the young men. Before dying, Arcite seeks forgiveness from Palamon, and the two cousins reconcile. Arcite also advises Palamon to take Emilia and live happily ever after. Similar to Palamon, Arcite receives a sign, indicating his prayer will be granted as well. The First Mover or the Firste Moevere is a speech delivered by Theseus, spanning lines 2129–2216, bringing the poem's narrative to its close.. Background. Palamon and Arcite saw her and fell both in love with her. 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