The Canterbury Tales

In the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer presents a series of sketches on a diverse group of people during the medieval period. Through the portrayal of the Knight and the Squire, he vilifies the rapid decline of the aristocracy.
Chaucer introduces the Knight, the most socially prominent pilgrim as the epitome of knightly chivalry. He explains the Knight's qualities idealized by knighthood: "To ride abroad [he] had followed chivalry / Truth, honor, generousness and courtesy." …