In Medieval Literature, women are seen in different shades of life. Some of them are seen as faithful, religious, and confined; while others are seen as wicked, cunning, and independent. Most of the women who have more freedom are considered threats to society, for they appear to empower men in subtle ways, and escape the norms of what women should be. The women in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales are diverse. They appear to have power over men. Some of them influence the hero’s actions in a significant way; thus, affecting the plot of the story. They may appear courteous, innocent, and submissive to God to their husbands and other men in the story, but they’re independent in their own way.

            Women’s beauty could become the weakness of men. It acts as a motivating force that drives the men to escape their comfort zones, and fight for their desire –true love that the women could give. In The Knight’s Tale, Chaucer presents Emily as a beautiful woman:

“Emily –who was lovelier to look at

than the lily is upon its green stalk,

and fresher than May with its spring flowers”

(for her complexion vied with the color of roses;”

                                                 (Chaucer 51)

            Arcite and Palamon, the two prisoners whom Theseus had imprisoned, sees Emily making flower garlands. They both fall in love with heartache, argue, but they realize that they couldn’t do anything about it while they’re in prison. Both men appear to be weak because they become emotionally dependent, seeking Emily’s approval. Emily is the reason of Arcite’s despair. Arcite suffers because he is exiled, and is restricted from seeing Emily. He even cries to the gods, and then to Emily:

“You slay me with your eyes, Emily;

you are the cause of my dying.

On all the rest of my cares

I would not set the worth of one weed,