"The Knight's Tale" Summary Plot Diagram

A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.

Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

Example "The Knight's Tale" Plot Diagram

Exposition

While returning from a victory in battle with his prizes Hippolyta and Emelye, Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is asked to resolve a conflict with Creon, the King of Thebes. He wins two hostages, Palamon and Arcite, and locks them in a tower.

Conflict

Arcite and Palamon see Emelye in the garden outside of their tower, and instantly fall in love with her.

Rising Action

Arcite is set free and Palamon escapes. They both cannot leave Athens for long without being drawn back to Emelye. They challenge each other to a duel and are discovered by Theseus, who plans a final tournament for them a year hence, between each man and their respective armies.

Climax

Both men ask for help from the gods before the battle, which causes a conflict between Mars and Venus. Jupiter, the king of the gods, resolves this by having Arcite win the battle, but being thrown from his horse and gravely injured.

Falling Action

On his deathbed, Arcite tells Emelye that she should marry Palamon, a worthy knight.

Resolution

All of Athens grieves for Arcite’s death, and then Palamon and Emelye are married in a joyous ceremony, which Theseus arranges.