THE KNIGHT'S TALE MAIN CHARACTERS

Palamon - He is a Theban knight who is caught and imprisoned in Athens. Both he and Arcite fall in love with a girl named Emelye. Before the duel to win Emelye, Palamon prays to Venus, the goddess of love, for Emelye's hand in marriage, and even though he loses the fight, he wins Emelye as a wife when Arcite dies.

Arcite - Like Palamon, he is a Theban knight who is captured and sent to prison in Athens, however later he is set free on the appearance of his friend Pirithous. He and his friend Palamon both fall in love with Emelye. He prays to Mars in order to help him in his duel against Palamon for Emelye, but even though he wins the battle, he suddenly is killed in an earthquake upon his victory.

Emelye - She is the sister of Hippolyta, and is caught within the conflict between Arcite and Palamon, who have both fallen in love with her. Although she wishes to remain a virgin in honor of the goddess, Diana, she accepts her fate that she must marry one of the two knights.

Theseus - The King of Athens, he declares a war upon Thebes because of the injustice of the Theban king, and imprisons both Arcite and Palamon. He conducts the rules and regulations of their duel for Emelye.