Palamon and Arcite

Not to be confused with Palamon and Arcite (1566), the play by Richard Edwardes.

"Palamon and Arcite" is part of Fables, Ancient and Modern written by John Dryden and published in 1700. "Palamon and Arcite" is a translation of "The Knight's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. Although the plot line is identical, Dryden expanded the original text with poetic embellishments. The source of Chaucer's tale was Boccaccio's "Teseida".

Characters

The four central characters remain the same as in Chaucer's story. Palamon, possible cousin of Arcite, is at least "brother-in-arms" according to Dryden. Arcite is a knight of royal blood, although this is not fully explained in the text. Emily (Emelye or Emilye) is the "princess" and stepdaughter or possibly niece of the king. And King Theseus is the (Duke of Athens).

Plot

The story is of two knights, Palamon and Arcite, imprisoned by Theseus after being found unconscious after a battle. They are held in a dungeon from which they can see into a courtyard or garden. One day Palamon, looking through the bars of his cell, sees Emily. Falling in love instantly, Palamon cries out, causing Arcite to ask his friend what is wrong. Palamon declares his newfound love for Emily, and as Arcite listens, he sees Emily. Turning to Palamon, Arcite claims that because he first recognized her as mortal and not a goddess, Arcite has the right to woo Emily.

Later, one of Arcite's friends begs Theseus to free his prisoner; Theseus agrees, but banishes Arcite. The love-struck knight returns, disguised as one of Theseus's servants. The story unfolds as each knight endures different challenges to prove his love for Emily.

Web-Links

Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

Order of The Canterbury Tales	General Prologue The Knight's Tale The Miller's Tale The Reeve's Tale The Cook's Tale The Man of Law's Tale The Wife of Bath's Tale The Friar's Tale The Summoner's Tale The Clerk's Tale The Merchant's Tale The Squire's Tale The Franklin's Tale The Physician's Tale The Pardoner's Tale The Shipman's Tale The Prioress's Tale Sir Thopas The Tale of Melibee The Monk's Tale The Nun's Priest's Tale The Second Nun's Tale The Canon's Yeoman's Tale The Manciple's Tale The Parson's Tale

Addenda	The Plowman's Tale The Tale of Gamelyn Siege of Thebes Prologue and Tale of Beryn

Films	The Canterbury Tales (1972)

Stage	The Two Noble Kinsmen (1634 play) The Canterbury Pilgrims (1917 opera) Canterbury Tales (1964 musical)

Television	Trinity Tales (1975) The Canterbury Tales (2003)

Literature	The Canterbury Puzzles A Commentary on the General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales

Single tale derivations	The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle Chanticleer and the Fox The Book of the Dun Cow Palamon and Arcite God Spede the Plough "The Pilgrim's Tale"

Related	Chaucer's Retraction Ellesmere Chaucer Hengwrt Chaucer Descriptive Catalogue "Have a nice day" Words first used in

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