Based on discussion at the end of class, I thought it might be worthwhile to examine the actions of the Greek nobility from the “Knight’s Tale” in the context of their “divine” connections.
One of the classic tenets of noble rulers has been their divine connection, either as gods themselves or as earthly rulers with a divine mandate. This was as true for the kings and queens of Chaucer’s England as it was for the ruling class of the Greek city-states such as Thebes and Athens.
Jupiter, being the highest and most powerful of the gods, is unable (or possibly unwilling) to enforce a peace between Mars, Saturn and Venus that will allow Arcite, Palamon and Emily to find a peaceful solution to their love triangle. On the human level, for reasons most likely political, Theseus does not enforce a decision concerning the competition between Arcite and Palamon, instead allowing these two lesser nobles to battle it out for Emily’s hand. Just as Jupiter does not utilize his full powers over the lesser gods, Theseus does not exercise his complete authority over Arcite and Palamon. In this way, their lesser instincts of jealousy, anger and lust win out over any divine benevolence that Jupiter could have imparted and the influences of the lesser gods rule the situation. If Theseus is the closest to the gods because of his higher noble rank, it can be assumed that lower nobles such as Arcite and Palamon would therefore be closer to lesser gods such as Mars, Saturn, Venus, etc. These lesser gods display emotions more in tune with the actions of Arcite and Palamon. Similarly, Jupiter remains just as aloof as Theseus, and though each may technically be in charge of their respective realms, they appear content to allow their subordinate gods and nobles to work things out among themselves, no matter how dangerous or costly this may be. Though Jupiter and Theseus may be “First Movers” in their spheres of influence, they do not make the last moves in the “Knight’s Tale”.
Also, as a side note, it is interesting that the Knight (and thereby Chaucer) used the Roman names for these gods despite the characters being Greeks.
(Thanks to James for pointing this out to me.)
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I like your witticism about First Movers who don't make the last moves!
ReplyDeleteRelated to that, we might consider that the disinclination to get more directly involved in human affairs may be a token or side-effect of precisely the distance separating the perfect, stable First Mover (or governing authority) from the emotional, unpredictable, Fortune-afflicted lesser beings (gods or Thebans).
As for the Roman forms of the names, that probably is due at least in part to the general ignorance of Greek in the Middle Ages. While not totally unknown, Greek literacy was extremely limited in Latin Christendom, which tended to get its Classical heritage via the Roman inheritors of the Greeks.
Just a question: as Jupiter's father, would Saturn have been considered a "lesser" god? And could Saturn and Aegeus be considered the "first movers" in this case gaining advantage (for everyone) by settling the dispute with their divine/wise advice? Since no perfect solution exists for Jupiter to offer? I have unclear ideas here but the idea of who the First Mover is I think is interesting.
ReplyDeleteI guess I was operating more on their ranks than their familial roles. Jupiter being the "king" I automatically placed him with Theseus and went from there. I also overlooked Aegeus. Despite being older and wiser, why would Aegeus (and Saturn) withhold their advice until it was practically too late? Would the gods be inclined to respect each other's spheres of influence in the same way nobles might avoid meddling in one another's kingdoms?
ReplyDeleteI guess Aegeus and Saturn would withhold their advice because they are not the First Movers, only Jupiter/Theseus are even if their actions can seem impotent - but, as we discussed in class, their seeming inaction (though they organize everyone and delegate roles) provides them with the political centrism they need to remain perfect and stable. You are right about the necessity to respect other spheres.
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