ase of the Knight it can be inferred that his physical description directly represents his demeanor. He is completely sincere and chivalrous in all his deeds; Chaucer explicitly states that the Knight that fro the tyme that he first bigan/ To ryden out, he loved chivalrye/ Trouthe and honour, freedom, and curteisye The tale told by the knight, reflective of his character and background, consequentially pays special attention to clothing as a means of status recognition. For example, after Theseus had conquered Thebes, his soldiers discovered the two Knights, Palamon and Arcite:After the bataille and disconfiture.And so bifel, that in the tas they founde,Thurgh-girt with many a grievous blody wounde,Two yonge Knigtes ligginge by and by,bothe in oon armes, wrought ful richely,of whiche two Arcite highte that oon,and that oother Knyght highte Palamon.Nat fully quike ne fully dede they were,but by hir cote-armures and by hir gerethe heraudes knewe hem best in specialAs they that, werein of blood royalOr Thebes, and of sustren two y-born (150-161).Arcite and Palamon are identified by their clothing: but by hir cote armures, which establishes their stature: as they that were in blood royal, and consequentially saves their lives. However, although they are allowed to live they must remain in the prison tower. The situation shows how the emblem of their clothing provided initial protection, yet alludes to the consequences of aesthetically justified decisions. The use of costume is also commonly used as a means of disguise. Arcite escapes from prison by taking advantage of his drastically altered appearance. He realizes after looking at his face in the mirror, and saugh that changed was al his colour, / and saugh his visage al in another kynde. (1400-01), and could therefore enter Athens unrecognized; and right anon he changed his array, / And cladde hym as a poure laborer, (1408-09). Arcite becomes a squire for Theseus, and therefore ...
