Characters from The Canterbury Tales

1. Characters from The Canterbury Tales By Geoffrey Chaucer (Including the Prologue)

2. Prologue • In April, a time of renewal, people go on pilgrimages, especially to Canterbury. I was about to go when joined by 29 other pilgrims at the Tabard Inn, Southwark. I shall describe them. • Springtime is metaphor for religion • Mixed motives for pilgrims • Chivalry and church first

3. Knight • An honorable, chivalrous man and fine soldier. Had fought in many medieval battles, modest, well-spoken, a true gentleman just returned from the wars. • Idealized portrait? • Sets up ideal against which all other pilgrims are measured. • Fighting man bigger than life/inner beauty beneath battered exterior.

4. Squire • Son of knight was gaily dressed lover, 20, well-built, soldierly, could sing, ride well, write songs, dance, etc. Was courteous and dutiful. • Speaks to the youth in youth language.

5. Yeoman • Servant of knight, dressed in green with bows and arrows of expert archer, doubtless a forester. • More for show than military use. • Sound and likeable

6. Prioress • Madame Eglentyne was modest, sang well, spoke French, had dainty table manners, and imitated court activity. She had dogs, was large “handsome” woman and three priests rode with her. • All against rules for nuns. • Warped character who weeps over dogs, but ignores human suffering.

7. Prioress, continued • King spoke Anglo-French • More anxious to be respected for manners then holiness. • Some nuns over 50 were allowed pets.

8. Monk • He loved horses and hunting, cared nothing for strict monastic rules agains such sports. He was richly dressed, bald, fat, with glowing eyes. • Heart of a child • Protest against the decline of the monastic discipline • Contrast between Knight’s values and monk’s.

9. Friar • He found husbands for girls he had seduced. He gave easy penances in return for money…could sing well, knew taverns, was skilled at begging. Well dressed, had lisp, was called Hubert. • Vitality and outgoing charm • Fleshly sins and avarice • Reflects attitude of secular party

10. Merchant • Fashionably dressed, spoke always of his profits so that no one would guess he was in debt. I don’t know his name. • Sly, narrow-minded, lacking in wit • Keeping up appearances • “I’d better not name him”

11. The Clerk (Student) • He had long studied logic at Oxford, was thin, poorly dressed, and sober. Loved books, learning, and teaching, had little money. His speech was concise. • Seems like a lost cause • Reflects Chaucer’s own interest in youth • Shows Chaucer’s appreciation

12. The Sergeant at the Lawe • He was sly and learned, often served as judge, bought many properties. He knew law thoroughly. • Dislikes noveau riche lawyer. • His real interest is money

13. Franklin • Had white beard and loved pleasure. He served the best food and drink in the district, and took great pride in his hospitality, keeping a table always set. Had served as judge, sheriff, and member of Parliament. • Growing prosperity of commoners • True gentleman/healthful diet/sanguine

14. Five Guildsmen • A haberdasher, carpenter, weaver, dyer, and tapestry maker traveled in group and were prosperous gentleman. • Early union

15. Cook • With guildsmen was the cook, who was very skillful at his trade but had ulcers on his skin. • Vices do not interfere with skill • Fondness for ale • Cook’s disease clear index of character.

16. Shipman • He was from Dartmouth, had often stolen from wine cargoes. Ruthless in sea fights, he was also a skillful navigator of his ship, the Maudelyn. • Definitely a pirate • One of a few who openly displays weapons • Hardest to account for • Casual about murder

17. Doctor of Physic • He was expert in medicine, surgery, astrology, and knew all the medical texts. He was richly dressed. • Stock character • Casts doubt on medicine • Impersonal • Studied little of the bible

18. Wife of Bath • Slightly deaf, good at weaving, gaudily dressed, and aggressive. She had five husbands, and had gone on many pilgrimages. She was very sociable and knew much about love. • Can be admired • Elegant clothes • Gap tooth sign of lust or wanderlust

19. Parson • A poor priest of a small village, he was learned, diligent, and patient. He helped and visited his people, setting a noble example. Unlike many, he did not neglect humble duties, but tried to live by Christ’s example. • Makes wholly good man appealing • Only Christ-like pilgrim portrayed touchingly, but without sentimentality

20. Plowman • With parson was his brother the Plowman, an honest worker who loved God and was charitable. • Represents perfect charity in the poor • Shows Chaucer’s sympathy for peasantry • He and knight are blood brothers in Christ

21. Miller • He was brawny, good at wrestling and butting things with his head. He had a red beard, wart on his nose, large mouth, and liked to tell coarse tales. He led the pilgrimage, playing the bagpipe. • Brutish • Popular view of miller type • Typically overstepped class boundaries

22. Reeve • Slender, choleric, close shaver, and skilled at managing grain and livestock for his lord while slyly feathering his own nest. He came from Norfolk, had been carpenter, and rode last of the pilgrims. • Low class

23. Summoner • Had red, diseased face, love rich food and wine (spoke Latin when drunk). He employed informers, extorted money, and was lecherous himself. • Suffered from skin disease

24. Pardoner • Fresh from Rome, he rode with friend the Summoner, had thin hair, glaring eyes, squeaky voice (was probably a eunuch). Carried false relics, cheated folk with flattery and tricks. • Lost soul among the pilgrims • Rips system • Suggests homosexual

25. Host • Only seven lines describe the host of the Tabard Inn in Southwark. • Probably meant to be Chaucer