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

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

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

• 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

• 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

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

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