Honor FINDINGS AND DESCRIPTION

4.4 Honor

Honor is an action that can be considered as a commendable act and worth to imitate. Knights are figures who uphold those attitudes. The characters which contained in The Knights Tale show some commendable and worth to imitate attitudes. Theseus is a knight and also highly respected duke. First honorable deeds of him can be found when he defeated Creon. After defeating Creon, Theseus does not forget his promise to the widows who asked for his help. The request of these widows is Theseus would to returns their husband ‟s bodies which were treated inhumanly by Creon. This attitude can be found on lines 991-993: And to the ladies he restored again 991 The bones of their husbands that were slain, To perform their obsequies, in usual guise. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Theseus not only restores the bone, but he also makes obsequies for the widows. Line 993 is a line which strongly emphasizes that Theseus has done an honorable deed which held obsequies to honor the widows‟ husband which has been treated by Creon inhumanely. This line is related to the lines 997-999 which the lines describe the treatment of Theseus towards the husband ‟s bone of the widows. To perform their obsequies, in usual guise. 993 … Of the bodies, and the great honour 997 That Theseus the noble conqueror Did the ladies, when their way they went; Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Theseus has done an honorable deed to the body of the widows ‟ husband. After he conquers Thebes, he rests there, on the battlefield overnight. Thebes can be regarded as his enemy city, but it is said that Theban was providing the best service when Theseus spend the night there. This is a sign that what he has done for the city is a commendable act in the eyes of Thebans. Lines 1001 - 1004 explain this clearly: Universitas Sumatera Utara When that this worthy Duke, this Theseus, 1001 Had slain Creon and conquered Thebes thus, Still in the field he took all night his rest, And with the country did as pleased him best. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 The description above is an honorable deed which is shown by Theseus. He is not only kept his promise, but the decision to invade Thebes was the right decision also, because the Thebans also support that act. From the analysis, Theseus has shown his honor, which kept his promise to the widows, and attacked Thebes which was ruled by a despotic king. Theseus also shows honorable deed when he knew there was illegal duel performed by Palamon and Arcita in his realm. Arcita and Palamon should get dead punishment because they have dueled illegally without permission from Theseus. At the request of the queen and Emily, Theseus does not punish Arcita and Palamon but forgives them for their mistakes. It can be viewed on line 1818 - 1820: I forgive you wholly this trespass. 1818 At the Queen‟s request who kneels here, And for Emily too, my sister dear. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Theseus ‟ acts in forgiving Arcita and Palamon in this case can be considered as a honor. Arcita and Palamon were criminals at that time, because Arcita is an outsider who cannot back to Athens, while Palamon is a prisoner who had escaped from prison. Arcita and Palamon actually deserve to be punished, because of their status as an escapist prisoner and a criminal and they had made a fatal mistake that is dueled illegally in the area. Theseus ‟ action in forgiving them is an honor, although this action based on the request from the queen and his own sister. Theseus also asks for Palamon and Arcita to become his friend, and do not disturb the serenity of his realm with acts such as illegal duel. Lines 1821 - 1823 are Universitas Sumatera Utara the other proof that demonstrated by Thesesus as a commendable action to Palamon and Arcita, besides forgiving them. And you at once shall both to me swear 1821 Never to harm my country, nor to war Against me, whether by night or day, Chaucer in Kline, 2005 This action is a proof that suggests Theseus done a commendable act. In addition to forgive, he also asks for Palamon and Arcita to be his friend. Theseus could execute them for they have done, but Theseus decided to invite them to become his friend. This action is a commendable act performed by knight through Theseus character. Theseus also shows his honor when he held a tournament between Palamon and Arcita. His honor found in while he was serving the knight who will fight at the tournament, the knights of Arcita and Palamon. He gives them shelter in accordance with their degrees that is as a knight, entertains and feasts them and gives many workers who are ready to serve them, before they fight in the next day. Theseuss actions can be seen on lines 2192 - 2194: And housed them, in accord with their degree, 2192 Feasted them, and applied so much labour To entertaining them, doing them honour, Chaucer in Kline, 2005 It also explains that the act of Theseus in serving this knight is great and the knight feels that they were never served as by Theseus. There is no better treatment which have found by the knight but Theseus do. This can be seen from the lines 2195 - 2196: That men still think and sa y that no man‟s wit 2195 However great could ever have bettered it. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Universitas Sumatera Utara The knights are really served by Theseus with many workers who are ready to fulfill the needs of the knight. This is an honored act, where he gives the best service to the knights who will fight in his tournament. Description above proves that the knight in The Knights Tale uphold honor through the character of Theseus. Theseus‟s honorable deed is also shown when he announced regulations that must be obeyed in the tournament. Theseus makes very humane regulations on the battle between Arcita and Palamon legion. Theseus forbids fraudulent acts during the battle, such as using a small knife. There should be no knights would die or injured badly. These regulations are in lines 2541 - 2547: Wherefore to guarantee that none shall die, 2541 He will his former purpose modify. No man, therefore, on pain of his life, No kind of missile, pole-axe or short knife, Shall to the lists send or thither bring, No short sword, with point for biting, Shall any man draw, or bear at his side. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Theseus makes this fight into a competition that would not danger the knights. This indicated a commendable thought of Theseus in maintaining the tournament. He designs the rule to make the fight is held humanely. If someone had been defeated, the man who beat him should not kill him, but brings him to their legion stake. It is described on lines 2551 - 2553: And he that is defeated they shall take, 2551 Not slain, but brought to the upright stake That shall be set up by either side. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 If the person who beat and carry the losers arbitrarily, the legion will be consider have made a bad treatment. This can be seen in line 2553 “And taken there by force, shall there abide. ” Chaucer in Kline, 2005. Universitas Sumatera Utara The battle will be end when the leader of a legion, Arcita or Palamon is caught by his opponent and is brought to their stake. If the leader a legion, Palamon or Arcita kills his opponent, then the legion which he leads will be the loser, because the leader has violates the rule that there will be no death during the battle. This can be proved through the line 2555 - 2557: And if it so befalls the leader is taken 2555 On either side, or his opponent‟s slain, No longer then shall the tourney last. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Theseus decision is a wise decision, where he makes a rule that upholds the humanity, which every human has the right to live and protected. In addition, the rule that is made by Theseus is a fair rule which he avoid a slightest cheating, such as using a small knife. Through these actions, we can make a conclusion that Theseus has done a commendable act, that is he has made a very wise regulation to control tournament. Description above proves that the knight in The Knights Tale make commendable act through a prudent regulation by the character of Theseus. Arcita also shows commendable deeds. These deeds can be seen from her last words to Emily. Arcita is the winner of the tournament and he automatically has the right to have and love Emily, but earthquakes after the tournament made him falling down from his horse, and he was badly injured. The injury eventually makes him dying. Realizing that he would not survive, Arcita tells Emily to accept Palamon ‟s love because Palamon really love her. Lines 2783 - 2791 are the reason of Arcita to tell Emily so that Emily also loves Palamon. Arcita assumes that Palamon is the right person to love Emily, because Palamon is willing to feud Arcita just for the love of Emily in the past. This is shown in lines 2783 - 2785: Universitas Sumatera Utara I have to my cousin Palamon 2783 Shown strife and rancour, many a day gone, For love of you, and out of jealousy. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Arcita begs Emily so she would receive Palamon to be the person whom she loves, because Arcita know, no one can love Emily more than Palamon. Arcita also convinces Emily that Palamon will be a good husband for herself during her lifetime. Arcita also asks Emily if she later became the wife of someone, he hopes that Palamon would be the husband, the person who ever tough loved her. Arcita ‟s message can be seen on lines 2793 - 2797: For in this world right now know I none 2793 So worthy to be loved as Palamon, Who serves you, and will do all his life. And if that ever you shall be a wife, Forget not Palamon, the gentle man.‟ Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Lines 2798 - 2800 explain that Arcita passed away after telling his message to Emily that is she could love Palamon as her man: With these words his speech to fail began, 2798 For from his feet up to his breast was come, The cold of death, that had him overcome. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Arcita before his death re-regards his cousin Palamon as his knighthood again on line 2783 and on line 2789. He hopes Emily can belonged by Palamon, as Palamon also loved Emily. The deed which is shown Arcita can be considered as commendable act of the knight, where he was willing Palamon has the right to love Emily, because Arcita is impossible to live and be able to marry Emily. Arcita can prohibit Palamon to love Emily again, because Palamon has been considered by Arcita as his rival before. But he does not do it, because Arcita knows, Palamon also loves Emily. Universitas Sumatera Utara Description above proves that the knight in The Knights Tale uphold commendable act through a sacrifice by Arcita, because before his death he forgave his cousin who is also his rival. In addition, Arcita also willing if later Emily became the wife of Palamon. The last honorable act which can be found in The Knights Tale is shown by Theseus in treating the body of Arcita. Arcita is a knight who dead in the tournament which Theseus has made, so Theseus treats Arcita ‟s body by honor. He gave the body of Arcita with garments made of gold, put white gloves on his hands, crowned his head with laurel green, and a bright and keen sword in his hand. This can be proved through the lines 2872 - 2876, which is the last condition Arcita ‟s body before cremated by Theseus: With cloth of gold, the richest to be had. 2872 And clad Arcita in a similar wise; Upon his hands he had gloves white, Then on his head a crown of laurel green And in his hand a sword full bright and keen. Chaucer in Kline, 2005 Theseus treated Arcita‟s body as a true knight. These lines show that Theseus‟ attitude is honorable when he honor dead knight in order to win his sister‟s love. This description presents an honour action that is done by the knight, Theseus, the knight whom we can see in The Knight‟s Tale. Theseus was a knight who gave respect to others people. He did not just honor the lives, but also dead man. Having analyzed the honor section, it is found that honorable deeds in The Knight‟s Tale are only shown by Theseus and Arcita. Theseus, through his acts such as restores the bones to the women, makes obsequies for the women, forgives Palamon‟s and Arcita‟s fault, invites them to be his friends, serves the knights, Universitas Sumatera Utara makes humanely regulation for the tournament, and treats Arcita‟s body are the honorable deeds that he has done. Arcita‟s honorable deed is shown only in an event, when he was dying and told his last words to Emily. The whole of his last words can be deduced as honorable deed in form of oral, because he does not express it through his action, but by his words. His words contains of his willing, which is often considered as an honorable deed. All of those acts can be regarded as honorable deeds because the acts is aimed to pleasant the others, that is all of the personae and participants which is related. Universitas Sumatera Utara

CHAPTER V CONCLUSSION AND SUGGESTION