In the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer presents a series of sketches on a diverse group of people during the medieval period. Through the portrayal of the Knight and the Squire, he vilifies the rapid decline of the aristocracy. Chaucer introduces the Knight, the most socially prominent pilgrim as the epitome of knightly chivalry. He explains the Knight's qualities idealized by knighthood: "To ride abroad [he] had followed chivalry / Truth, honor, generousness and …showed first 75 words of 396 total…

…showed last 75 words of 396 total…he was, lowly and serviceable / And carved to serve his father at the table." The narrator analyzes the Squire as a servant of his father, not a reflection of him, thus predicting this was all he could ever be. In conclusion, Chaucer uses the Knight and Squire by comparing their behaviors and characteristics to prove his satire - the Squire could never be like his father, the Knight, therefore showing the decline of the aristocracy.