The Knight's Tale from The Canterbury Tales tells the story of Palamon and Arcite, who both fall in love with Emelye after seeing her in the garden. They challenge each other to a duel for her love, and Theseus plans a tournament between their armies to settle the matter. During the climactic battle, Arcite wins but is fatally injured from being thrown from his horse. On his deathbed, Arcite tells Emelye she should marry Palamon instead. The story ends with Palamon and Emelye marrying in a joyous ceremony arranged by Theseus.

1. The Canterbury Tales
Plot Diagram for "The Knight's Tale"
II–THEMIDDLE
AGES

2. EXPOSITION
• While returning from a victory
in battle with his prizes
Hippolyta and Emelye,
Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is
asked to resolve a conflict with
Creon, the King of Thebes. He
wins two hostages, Palamon
and Arcite, and locks them in a
tower.
EXPOSITION

3. • Arcite and Palamon see Emelye
in the garden outside of their
tower, and instantly fall in love
with her.
CONFLICT

4. • Arcite is set free and Palamon
escapes. They both cannot leave
Athens for long without being
drawn back to Emelye. They
challenge each other to a duel
and are discovered by Theseus,
who plans a final tournament
for them a year hence, between
each man and their respective
armies.
RISING ACTION

5. • Both men ask for help from the
gods before the battle, which
causes a conflict between Mars
and Venus. Jupiter, the king of
the gods, resolves this by
having Arcite win the battle,
but being thrown from his
horse and gravely injured.
CLIMAX

6. • On his deathbed, Arcite tells
Emelye that she should marry
Palamon, a worthy knight.
FALLING ACTION

7. •All of Athens grieves for
Arcite’s death, and then
Palamon and Emelye are
married in a joyous
ceremony, which Theseus
arranges.
RESOLUTION