ragic hero 1). This started his downward spiral and “psychological turmoil” (Bloom 24). Then, Lady Macbeth introduces to him the idea of murder to gain his and her much desired throne. In addition, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth to actually perform the murders. “If not for Lady Macbeth, his ambition would not have been intensified enough to drive him to obtain and maintain his title of King of Scotland no matter what it took, even if it meant murdering” (Macbeth – tragic hero 1). For these reasons, Macbeth fulfills Aristotle’s definition of a hero. Thus, the prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s influence, and his ambition all contributed to his downfall. “Therefore Macbeth’s character displays strong signs of a tragic hero, making him the ideal classic example”(Macbeth – tragic hero 1). “The most likely image to spring to mind at the mention of the word ‘chivalry’ today, is one of the perfect gentleman, an impeccably mannered individual who displays gentle and courteous behavior, especially toward women” (Neilson Internet 1).In The Canterbury Tales, the Knight portrays these features. “He was a very perfect gentle knight” (Malcolmson 30). The knight is also “devoted to military service, especially in the cause of Christendom” (Malcolmson 29). In these quotes, the Knight seems to be a hero by definition. He is on this religious pilgrimage to show his devotion to God. He “undertook the pilgrimage to show devotion to his religion through the sacrifice of time and energy that the journey required” (Joyce 64). “The portrait of the knight emphasizes the devotion of a lifetime to the ideas of chivalry”(Owen 51). The Knight is admired by the stories readers and the other characters in the story because he, “Is of course the dominant figure, and his character defines itself in the chosen companions of his pilgri...
