The Battle for Love Under the Governance of Strict Social Codes

Authors

Nina Masin-Moyer, College of the Holy CrossFollow

Abstract

Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Knight’s Tale” presents a grand, romantic, and heroic story between Palamon and Emily, who pray to Roman deities that represent the values and qualities that were important to men and women of that time. Conversely, “The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope is a mockery of this heroic style and tells a satirical tale of Belinda and Baron, each of whom pray to the powers of mystical creatures and trinkets, which are tangible manifestations of the rules that govern a gendered social order. Although Pope’s story is a satire of tales such as Chaucer’s, both comment upon the lack of control people have within the confines of gender norms and the social rules that dictate one’s life. Specifically, Palamon and Baron prove that male desire and social expectations supersede the virtues of women such as Emily and Belinda. Through differences in genre, time, and geography, “The Knight’s Tale” and “The Rape of the Lock” both comment upon the transcendent themes of individual autonomy within strict and binding social norms.

Recommended Citation

Masin-Moyer, Nina (2020) "The Battle for Love Under the Governance of Strict Social Codes," The Criterion: Vol. 2020, Article 2.
Available at: https://crossworks.holycross.edu/criterion/vol2020/iss1/2