Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

1. Canterbury Tales:The Prologue • Here bygynneth the Book of the tales of Caunterbury...

2. The Knight Ironies perfect gentle -knight- really ? He has fought not just in the holy Lands but in Alexandria, Prussia, Lithuania, Russia, Granada, Algeciras, Anatolia, etc. He really is nothing but a Sword for Hire ! “Once with the Bey of Balat, doing work for him against another Heathen Turk;” Furthermore, he killed others while jousting ( Contests)- “THrice in the lists, and always killed his man.” • Characterization: • -job: Noble English knight; fought in the crusades • “...done nobly in his sovereign’s war and ridden into battle...as well in Christian as in heathen place” • -Appearance: not flashy or over dressed “...not gaily dressed. He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark with smudges where his armor had left marks;” • -quiet and modest in demeanor; never rude • “... a bearing quiet as a maid” • -Thoughts and Feelings: follow the codes of Chivalry; deems himself “ had followed chivalry, truth,honor, generousness, and courtesy.” • Deems himself a good Christian; “he had joined our ranks to do his pilgrimage and render thanks.” • -Place in the World: as the knight he is both of noble birth and of the highest social rank of all the Pilgrims, • “He was of sovereign values in all eyes.” • “He was a true, perfect gentle -knight.” Author’s Attitude: Chaucer is poking fun at the “so-called” noble and honorable knights who are nothing but mercenaries. Yet, the good knight seems himself as a good Christian, thus the pilgrimage to Canterbury !

3. ~Squire~ Characterization Ironies It is ironic that the text states that Squire “knew” how to do almost everything, yet he is a cadet receiving training. “He knew the way to sit a horse and ride…..to draw and write.” • Physical Appearance • Has curly hair: “With locks as curly as if they had been pressed.” • Tall and strong: “In stature he was of moderate length, with wonderful agility and strength.” • Job Description • Soldier in training: “A lover and cadet, a lad of fire.”“He’d seen some service with the cavalry.” • Thoughts and Feelings • Lady’s man and gentleman: “…hope to win his lady’s grace.”“Courteous he was” • Happy and jolly man: “full of the freshest flowers”“Singing he was or fluting all day.” • Place in the World • He was a noble: “He had his son with him, a fine young Squire.” Author’s Attitude • Chaucer really likes Squire because he makes him look good. He brags about his smooth and fresh look as well as his lovable personality. “He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale.”

4. ~Yeoman~ Characterization Irony The irony is that Squire took Yeoman along with him because he was the only servant available and as a matter of fact, Yeoman has more experience hunting and fighting than the cadet Squire does. “a young man attending on and receiving training from a knight” While Yeoman had “A hunting-horn, well slung and burnished clean” • Physical Appearance • He stood out from the others in his bright green coat: “…wore a coat and hood of green, and peacock-feathered arrows, bright and keen.” • He was a different race than the rest: “…his face was brown.” • Job Description • He was a forester/archer: “….shield and sword hung at one side, and at the other slipped a jaunty dirk, spear-sharp and well equipped.”“He was a proper forester” • Thoughts and Feelings • He felt important that Squire chose to take him. “There was a Yeoman with him at his side” Place in the World • He is a commoner: “proper forester”“hung at one side….a jaunty dirk” Author’s Attitude • Chaucer isn’t necessarily the biggest Yeoman fan. He doesn’t show much interest or excitement when talking about him. “he was a proper forester, I guess”

5. Characterizations Physical appearance: Madam Eglantyne was attractive and elegant with refined behavior. She had pretty grey eyes and soft red lips. She also had a large forehead, which was a sign of beauty. The nun was well fed and wore bright, flashy jewelry with a graceful cloak. She was pleasant, entertaining, and friendly. ~“She certainly was very entertaining, pleasant and friendly in her ways…” ~”Her nose was elegant, her eyes glass-grey; her mouth was very small, but soft and red, her forehead was fair of spread…” ~”She wore a coral trinket on her arm, a set of beads,..ticked in green,…a golden brooch of brightest sheen..” Job description: She was a prioress, which is a nun ranking just below the head of the convent. ~”There was also a nun, a prioress…” Thoughts and feelings: She was sentimental, tenderhearted, and very caring. The nun was sensitive when it comes to animals and she loved taking care of her little dogs. ~”She was all sentiment and tender heart.” ~”As for her sympathies and tender feelings, she was so charitably solicitous.” Place in the world: She was a noble because she was a prioress who had high-class manners and was elegant. She acted and dressed with higher standards than a peasant would. She attended school and spoke French. ~”At meat her manners were taught withal;” ~”For courtliness she had a special zest,” ~”And she spoke daintily in French...after the school of Stratford-atte-Bowe;” Tone: Chaucer used an ironic tone in his writings. It is ironic that a nun ranked so highly in the convent would be focused on her appearance and seem materialistic. There is an entire paragraph that describes her attractive looks and flashy accessories. Nuns are supposed to live under vows of poverty. Madam Eglantyne is clearly well fed and well dressed. ~”She was indeed by no means undergrown.” ~”Her nose was elegant, her eyes glass-grey; her mouth was very small, but soft and red, her forehead was fair of spread…” ~”She wore a coral trinket on her arm, a set of beads,..ticked in green,…a golden brooch of brightest sheen..” Nun: Madam Eglantyne Author’s Attitude: Chaucer is making fun of the nun and pointing out her lack of sincerity for a religious life. The nun sees herself as a well mannered Christian nun that is going on the Pilgrimage to Canterbury. Created by: Katherine MacNeal & Tori Tolon

6. ~Physical appearance The monk has a shiny bald head. His hands are covered with the finest grey fur and a gold pin is fastened to his hood. His eyes stand out like fire and his face has a greasy appearance, along with his bald head. The monk is a free spirit; he does not adhere to any of the guidelines that are set for him. “I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand with fine grey fur, the finest in the land, and on his hood, to fasten it to his chin he had a wrough-gold cunningly fashioned pin;” “His head was bald and shone like looking-glass; so did his face, as if it had been greased.” “His prominent eyeballs never seem to settle” ~Job description He is the head of a subsidiary group of monks, also known as the prior of the cell. “A monk there was, one of the finest sort” ~Thoughts and feelings The monk believes in living the modern way of life and he ignores the rules from his religion’s past. He doesn’t feel that hunters are unholy men. “He did not rate that text at a plucked hen which says that hunters are not holy men” ~Place in the world The monk is a nobleman because he is the prior of the cell. The prior of the cell is the head of a group of monks and the position is only given to a man who is noble and seen as worthy of the position. ~Tone The Monk tends to veer away from the morals of his religion. It is ironic that the monk is a hunter because monks are generally peaceful humans. The ideals of his faith had been established by leaders before him and now that he holds the leadership position as prior of the cell, he isn’t staying true to those ideals. “…which says that hunters are not holymen…” tm The Monk

7. Friar Tone & Attitude Irony Characterization The author is trying to convey that Friar is a content fellow. Although penny-less he is constantly joyful “and certainly his voice was gay and sturdy” The tone was a bit ironic because he shows much pride and dignity but in the end he is not significant. The author portrays the friar at the end as a really important, justified, worthy man. Although the friar was a certified beggar the author made it seem “Hubert” was on top of the world. He is a priest yet he still tries to impress women. The author is poking fun at the lack of religious path people make “He stuffs his tippet with pins for curls to give to pretty girls” Although he was constantly surrounded by slum-and-gutter dwellers he felt he was superior to others in his social ranking “He was the finest beggar of the batch” Ironically Priests are supposed to give everything they have, but the Friar does the opposite he begs. “A Limiter, a very festive fellow.” Physical Appearance: Neck is white “His neck was whiter than a Lilly flower”… We can infer she possesses scrappy clothing being a limitering fryer “he was a wanton one, merry, festive fellow and a limiter”… He wares a robe-like garment. “He keeps his tippets stuffed with pins for curls and pocket knives, to give to pretty girls” Job description: Member of a religious group sworn to poverty, living off of charitable donations. “In all four orders there was none so mellow” Thoughts and feeling: He possessed a great amount of dignity for his possession as a friar “For in so eminent a man as he it was not fitting with the dignity of his position” Place in the world: He was a noble man “He was a a noble pillar to his order” He was loved by everyone and highly respected”.

8. The Merchant • Irony • The merchant is involved in illegal exchanges but believes there should be more enforcement of the law on England’s east coast • “There should be sea-police (he thought upon the Harwich-Holland ranges:” • Despite the Merchants arrogant need to boast about his wealth, he seems to leave out his name for some strange reason. • “To tell the truth I do not know his name.” • He is an expert when it comes to exchanges, but somehow he is broke. • “He was expert at dabbling exchanges…, none knew he was in debt,”. • Rachelle Walteros Physical Appearance The Merchant is the typical archetype of a con man in which he has the signature sinister forked beard, and is dressed excessively expensive clothes. “There was the merchant in his forking beard and motley dress; high on his horse he sat,” Job Description He was a merchant for the city until he began to illegally exchange foreign currency for profit. “he was expert at dabbling in exchanges” Thoughts and Feelings The merchant is currently in denial that he is in debt and he continues to flaunt his even though he has no wealth to flaunt. “he harped on his increase of capital…, none knew he was in debt.” Place in the world The merchant is a formerly wealthy commoner, but he is now a poor commoner like everyone else

9. The Cleric • Ironies • He is a man of the church but he studies Aristotle, a Greek philosopher the church does not support. • “By his bed he preferred having twenty books in red and black, of Aristotle's philosophy.” • Although he is a man of god, he does not speak excessively about his beliefs. • “He never spoke a word more more than was need, formal at that, respectful in the extreme,” • Jose Izaguirre Physical Appearance • The Cleric was the first struggling student, draped in old rags, white as snow with a ghostly stare. • “,still a student though,… But had a hollowed look, a sober stare; the thread upon his coat bare.” • Job Description • Like all students he chose a career were he can’t find a job • “He had found no preferment in the church,…” • Thoughts and Feelings • He prefers to advance his knowledge (and his debt) over the basic needs of life like food • Place in the world • The Cleric is a commoner, but unlike other commoners he strives to educate himself despite his basic needs • “By his bed he preferred having twenty books in red and black,”

10. The Sergeant at the Law • IRONIES • The judge claims that his fame and knowledge implies he has great fame and wealth but he works as a travelling judge, probably to make a living. • “His fame and learning and his high position had won him many a robe and many a fee.” • Jose Izaguirre Physical Appearance The Sergeant despite his so called great expertise in his chosen career path dresses in very unmemorable commoners clothes “He wore a homely parti-colored coat, girt with a silken belt of pin-stipe stuff,: of his appearance I have said enough.” Job Description The Sergeant is a travelling judge that settles property disputes “He often had been Justice of Assize” Thoughts and feelings The Sergeant believes himself to be the pinnacle of knowledge in his field and prides himself in knowledge he does not have. “He knew of every judgment, case and crime ever recorded since King William’s time.” Place in the World The Sergeant at the Law is a lowly commoner like everyone else “ Discreet he was, a man to reverence, or so he seemed,”

11. Irony Franklin claims he is a hospitable man, that wants to help others, yet he gets all the money, some of which he uses it on others, from tax collecting and getting his hands “dirty.” – “As sheriff he checked audit, every entry. He was a model among the landed gentry.” Franklin Authors attitude I feel that the author is trying to show that Franklin is clueless in what he is doing. Franklin doesn’t realizes that the money he spends on lavish items , that he shares with others comes from those same people. Characterization Physical appearance: He has a white beard and always wears wealthy attire. -“White as a daisy petal was his beard” Job description:He is a Tax collector and county representative. – “As Sheriff he checked audit, every entry” Thoughts and Feelings:Franklin is very wealthy and is used to living the rich life. He feels that he is a great generous man because he welcomes anyone into his huge home to dine on only the best food there is. He is cheerful and good natured but spoiled and doesn’t know the damage he does to others to get his money. Place in world: Franklin is a wealthy commoner who spends his time collecting taxes and trying to be a good host to his guests. – “As noted at St. Julian was for bounty He made is household free for all the county.”

12. Haberdasher;Carpenter;Dyer;Weaver;Carpet-maker • Characterization • Physical Appearance: “They were so trim and fresh their gear would pass for new”; “Each seemed a worthy Burgess, fit to grace a guild-hall with a seat upon the dais” • Job Description: “Shopowners; Craftsmen “Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, a Weaver and a Carpet-market were among our ranks…” • Thoughts and Feelings: “They had the capital and revenue” thought very highly of themselves • Place in the World: commoners “a Haberdasher. a Dyer, a Carpenter, a Weaver and a carpet-maker…” • Irony: They act noble but they’re not “They were so trim and fresh their gear would pass for new”;”Their knives were not tricked out with brass but wrought with purest silver…” • Authors Thoughts:”Their wisdom would have justified a plan to make each one of them and alderman…”

13. Cook • Characterization • Physical Appearance:”…He should have an ulcer on his knee”; Poor hygiene • Job Description: Chef; “They had a Cook…” • Thoughts and Feelings: full of himself; cocky; “As for blancmange, he made it with the best” • Place in the world: “They had a cook with them who stood alone”; commoner • Irony: He works with food, yet he has an ulcer on his knee “But what a pity so it seemed to me, That he should have an ulcer on his knee” • Author’s Feelings: Feels bad for him, he can make any food but he has poor hygeine; “..Make good thick soup and bake a tasty pie. But what a pity….he should have an ulcer on his knee”

14. Skipper Physical Appearance -scruffy, works outside -“In a woolen gown that reached his knee. A dagger on lanyard falling free hung from his neck under his arm and down.” -“The summer’s heat had tanned his color brown and certainly he was an excellent fellow.” Place in the World -commoner -“Rode a farmer’s horse as best as he could.” Author’s Attitude -The skipper is a sneaky thief that takes what he wants. -(see irony) Irony 1. “He was an excellent fellow.” 2. “Many a draft of vintage red and yellow, he’d drawn at Bordeaux, while the trader snored. The nicer rules of conscience he ignored.” 3. “he sent his prisoners home; they walked the plank. He is called a good person, yet he steals wine, ignores his conscience, and isn’t merciful in fighting. Job Description -skipper for the ship the Maudelayne -“There was a skipper hailing from the west” -“The barge he owned was called the Maudelayne.” Thoughts and Feelings -skilled as ship captain -“Moons, harbors, pilots, he had such dispatch that none from Hull to Carthage was his match.”

15. Doctor Physical Appearance -healthy, well-dressed -“In his own diet he observed some measure; there were no superfluities for pleasure.” -“In blood red garments, slashed with bluish grey and lined with taffeta.” Place in the World -commoner -“Yet he was rather close to expenses.” Irony 1. “He gave the man his medicine then and there.” 2. “And kept the gold he won in pestilences.” He didn’t cure people for good; he just wanted money. Job Description -doctor -“No one alive could talk as well as he did on points of medicine and of surgery, For being grounded in astronomy, he watched his patient closely for hours when, by his horoscope, he knew his powers of faverable planets, then asendent, worked on the images for his dependent” -“The barge he owned was called the Maudelayne.” Author’s Attitude -The doctor helps others for his own benefit. -(see thoughts and feelings) Thoughts and Feelings -greed for gold -“Gold stimulates the heart, or so we’re told. Therefore he had a special love of gold.”

16. The Woman Irony The woman is portrayed to be highly religious, however is the antithesis of what a religious woman was supposed to be in that time. “What’s more she’d had five husbands all at the church door apart from other company in youth…” Even though the woman is a commoner, she is very well traveled and free “And she had thrice been to Jerusalem….She’d been to Rome and also to Boulogne, St. James of Compostella and Cologne.. and she was skilled in wandering by the way” Author’s Attitude The author admires the woman’s ability to have the freedom she does, which most women didn’t have in this time period. Characterization: Job: Weaver “In making cloth she showed so great a bent” She dresses in a flashy manner “Her hose were the finest scarlet red and gartered tight…” She has been married several times “What’s more she’d had five husbands all at the church door apart from other company in youth..” She has gap teeth and wide hips “She had gap –teeth, set widely, truth to say….She had a flowing mantle that concealed large hips, her heels spurred sharply under that.”

17. Irony Even though the plowman is a very poor commoner, it is ironic that he donates his time and crops to the other poor commoners. The Plowman is the most humble and caring out of any commoner or noble. “He was an honest worker, good and true, living in peace and perfect charity, and as the gospel bade him, so did he, loving God best with all his heart and mind and then his neighbor as himself, repined at no misfortune, slacked for no content…” The Plowman Characterization: An honest commoner who is very charitable in his work. “He was an honest worker, good and true, living in peace and perfect charity…”“…he would help the poor for the love of Christ and never take a penny…” Wears a smock and rides a mare (horse). “He wore a tabard smock and rode a mare.” Author’s Attitude The author has an admirable attitude towards the Plowman because of his dedication to helping others even though he himself needed help, and that he seems to be more deserving than the nobles to travel the pilgrimage.

18. PARSON • CHARACTERIZATION • Physical Appearance: The parson is not well dressed because of his economic status . “There was, and poor, the Parson to a town , Yet he was rich in holy thought and work.” • Job description: Priest who had complete knowledge of Christ Sayings. “He also was a learned man, clerk ,who truly knew Christ’s gospel and would preach it Devoutly to parishioners , and teach it .” • Thoughts and feelings: He though of essential help, And if he had a solution he would work hard and achieve it . “Jet he neglected not in rain or thunder, in sickness or in grief, to pay a call on the remotest , whether great or small, upon his feet , and in his hand a stave.” • Place in the world : He was a common man . “the true example that a priest should give is one of cleanness, how the sheep should live.” Irony/ Authors Thoughts: Irony: Parson continues mentioning how holy and a clean man full of pure thoughts he is do to his religion, but then he says that the church is false and superficial. “And leave his sheep encumbered in the mire or run to London to earn easy bread by singing masses for the wealthy dead or find a brotherhood and get enrolled. Tone: The tone for this character is positive in a way that allows a clear view of the great thing he had done and what a great person he is. Author’s attitude: eloquent showing good ideas and nice words to describe the character. Saying that the character had knowledge of the gospel and what being a god man I s.

19. The Miller Characterization Irony/Authors Thoughts Representation of a dishonest man Rich villager who’s only interest is his own Author uses his physical description to reflect his shameless deceitful quarrelsome personality “his nostrils were as black as they were wide”“a wart on which there stood tuft of hair” Operates a mill, grinds cereal to make flours • “great stout fellow big in brawn and bone” • Big, big boned • “could heave any door off hinge and post” • Strong • “a wart on which there stood a tuft of hair” • Ugly in sight • Played bag pipes • “he liked to play his bagpipes up and down”

20. Place In The World He was a common man “When he was drunk he would tags as he put in … He heard everyday.” He was a common man who worked in the system. Appearance He was hard to look at, full of pimples and a badly done beard “His face in fire, like a cheuben, for he had carbuncles. His eyes were narrow, black scabby eyebrows he had, and a thin beard, children were afraid of him:”. The Summoner Job Description He summoned sinners to court “For man, had he found nothing in the bag the “Questio quid juvis” was his tag ( which part of the law is applicable ) Irony “He was a noble varlet”. Which Is ironic because noble means honest yet varlet means greedy, and he was, for sure not honest. “Why he’d allow for just a quart of wine any good lad to keep a concubine”. A concubine is an affair and he reported for the quart house yet could be bribed very easily. Tone Chaucer was really saying that this man was not true and only wanted salvation by this journey. Thoughts and Feelings He really didn’t care for his job and just looked forward to his next drink. “And drinking strong red whine until he was hazy and then he would shout and jabber as if crazy Characterization

21. Physical appearance: He had blonde hair which he wears long and greasy, he had a smooth, hairless face, and the author described as a neutered or female horse or not manly. “Smoother than ever chin was left by barber. I judge he was a gelding, or a mare.”“This pardoner had hair as yellow as wax, hanging down smoothly like a hank of flax.” PARDONER Thoughts and feelings: The Pardoner revealing in the Prologue, that the only thing he cares about is money.  “He’d have to preach and tune his honey-tounge and (well he could) win silver from the crowd.” Job description: He sells indulgences and also charges people to handle the so-called holy relics in his possession. He doesn’t exactly follow what he preaches. “And with these relics, any time he found some poor up-country parson to astound, in one short day, in money down, he drew more than the parson in a month or two.” Place in the world: He is of the church, therefore a noble. “In church he was a noble ecclesiast.” Tone: Pardoners are known for taking advantage of people, he is a hypocrite and greedy person. “And by his flatteries and prevarication made monkeys of the priest and congregation.” Author’s attitude: Chaucer probably means to cast doubt on the Pardoner's sexuality. Portraying him with having long, greasy, yellow hair, and also beardless. “He had the same small voice a goat has got.”“Thinly they fell, like rat tails, one by one.”“His chin no beard had harbored, nor would harbor.”

22. Physical apperance: jolly fellow – large, with piercing eyes and was a very manly person. “A very striking man our host withall, and fit to be a marshall in a hall.” HOST Place in the world: The way that one can tell he is a commoner is that it is stated that he works in a tavern. “Our host gave us great welcome.” Job Description: often tries to play the role of peace-keeper among the pilgrims. He decides that each pilgrim will tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back. “Our host gave us great welcome.” Tone: He I supposed to make people feel welcomed yet he seems pretty demanding about the tales. “I’ll be the judge, and those who wont obey shall pay for what we spend upon the way.” Thoughts and feelings: He just wants to have a good time and likes to hear happy tales. He proposes the tale-telling game and directs it on the way to Canterbury. “I’ll be your judge. The rebel who disobeys, however much the journey costs, he pays.” Author’s attitude: Chaucer refers to him as burgess, which is a freeman, a citizen of some standing. “There is no finer burgess in Cheapside.”