The Canterbury Tales · Character
Emily
Hippolyta's fair sister, whose morning walk in the garden becomes the unwitting spark that ignites two cousins' ruinous devotion.
major
Also known as woful Emily
First appearance: The Knight's Tale
As a major figure in The Canterbury Tales, Emily is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The object of the cousins' love, to be awarded as prize to the tournament victor.
Emily is the sister of Hippolyta, wife of Duke Theseus, and lives within the walls of Athens where Palamon and Arcite are imprisoned. She appears first as a figure of May itself—yellow hair braided, gathering white and red flowers, singing like an angel—utterly unaware that two men watch from a barred window. Her beauty sets the tale's plot in motion, yet she remains largely an object of others' desires, and her own wishes only surface later when she prays to Diana.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
11 connectionsA slice of how Emily sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Romantic
- Other
Character groups
- Noble romance and corruption
- Protagonist
- Moral exemplars and advisors
+6 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the story's dramatic climax because it shifts the focus from the external, ritualistic acts…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Palamon
romantic · positive
Emily is the beautiful maiden whom Palamon loves and for whom he competes with Arcite. How this plays out →
- Palamon
romantic · positive
Emily is the beautiful maiden whom Palamon loves and for whom he competes with Arcite. How this plays out →
- Palamon
romantic · positive
Emily is the beautiful maiden whom Palamon loves and for whom he competes with Arcite. How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Emily in The Knight's TaleIn the story
Emily appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Emily unlock in the free preview.
See Emily in The Knight's Tale