THE KNIGHT’S TALE

1. Why did Theseus attack Thebes?

Theseus, the Duke of Athens, decided to attack Thebes in order to defence widow women who asked him for helping and also unseated its king who had murdered their husbands.

2. Where did Theseus put Palamon and Arcite?

Theseus took the two young men prisoner. He took them back to Athens and put them for life in a tall dark tower.

3. Why did Palamon and Arcite quarrel?

The two cousins had a quarrel with each other because they were both in love with the same woman.

4. Why did Arcite return to Athens?

Arcite returned to Athens because a duke from Thebes and a friend of him begged (asked) Theseus to release him from prison.

5. How did Palamon become free?

After seven years locked in the dark tower, Palamon escaped with the help of his friend. He gave the guard a glass of wine with drugs in it that made him sleep. Then Palamon ran away.

6. What did the cousins do in the forest?

Arcite and Palamon began fighting because of Emily. They fought like a lion and a tiger in the forest, until they were standing in a river of blood.

7. Why didn’t Theseus kill Palamon and Arcite?

Theseus didn’t kill them because his daughter and her ladies begged him not to kill them. They were young, handsome men from good families and they deserved to be forgiven.

8. How many knights came to the battle?

There are two hundred knights altogether. Two cousins rode at the head of a hundred knights.

9. Who won the battle?

Arcite and his hundred knights gained the victory.

10. Who married Emily?

Despite the fact that Arcite was who won the battle, Palamon married Emily and lived all the rest of his life with her. Sadly, Arcite died after the fighting.