Canterbury Tales Prologue Character Analysis

Canterbury Tales Prologue The character’s and their stereotypes: revelations and perceptions* Summaries borrowed from www.sparknotes.com

The Knight (lines 43-80)  Noble in battle—enjoys adventure  The epitome of chivalry  Strong and brave (especially to have survived so many battles—15 plus jousts— always killed his man)  Wise  Modest “a true and perfect gentle knight”

 Has fine horses  Dresses in natural clothing with smudges  Realistic/humanized

 Going on the Pilgrimage to show thanks to God for his talents Chaucer/the narrator admires the Knight despite the decline of chivalry. Most of his battles are religious leading us to believe he is a crusader.

The Knight (lines 43-80)  Noble in battle—enjoys adventure  The epitome of chivalry  Strong and brave (especially to have survived so many battles—15 plus jousts— always killed his man)  Wise  Modest “a true and perfect gentle knight”

 Has fine horses  Dresses in natural clothing with smudges  Realistic/humanized

 Going on the Pilgrimage to show thanks to God for his talents Chaucer/the narrator admires the Knight despite the decline of chivalry. Most of his battles are religious leading us to believe he is a crusader.

The Squire (lines 81-102)  The Knight’s son— youthful (20 years old); “lover” and “cadet”  Curly hair (as if pressed)

 Does everything with a passion  Destined to become just like his father

 Suggests he’s a dandy— concerned with his looks

 Served in the cavalry and done valiantly  Likes to sing and write songs

Contrasts with his father—the religious chivalric knight—the squire is very “romantic.” His dress is fancy and there is a lot of social desire. Always out to win his lady’s favor in the cavalry. Chaucer is accepting of the squire, but not admiring. He has growing up to do, but will make a good knight

The Squire (lines 81-102)  The Knight’s son— youthful (20 years old); “lover” and “cadet”  Curly hair (as if pressed)

 Does everything with a passion  Destined to become just like his father

 Suggests he’s a dandy— concerned with his looks

 Served in the cavalry and done valiantly  Likes to sing and write songs

Contrasts with his father—the religious chivalric knight—the squire is very “romantic.” His dress is fancy and there is a lot of social desire. Always out to win his lady’s favor in the cavalry. Chaucer is accepting of the squire, but not admiring. He has growing up to do, but will make a good knight

The Yeoman (lines103121)  An attendant of the Squire  Dressed in green; carries peacock arrows and a bow and wears a bracelet to protect his arm; a sword; a shield; and a dagger  Head like a nut w/brown face

 A hunter and woodworker—attends the Squire but has his own personality  St. Christopher’s medal  Patron Saint of Travelers

Chaucer looks at the Yeoman positively and uses no irony in the description; Suggests that like the Knight and the Squire, the Yeoman is a worthy occupation

The Yeoman (lines103121)  An attendant of the Squire  Dressed in green; carries peacock arrows and a bow and wears a bracelet to protect his arm; a sword; a shield; and a dagger  Head like a nut w/brown face

 A hunter and woodworker—attends the Squire but has his own personality  St. Christopher’s medal  Patron Saint of Travelers

Chaucer looks at the Yeoman positively and uses no irony in the description; Suggests that like the Knight and the Squire, the Yeoman is a worthy occupation

Prioress (Nun)—(lines122168)  Eglentyen/sweetbriar  Exceptionally mannerly when eating  Animal rights activist— should be concerned with?

 Coral trinket on her arm, green prayer beads, “Love Conquers all” on her golden brooch suggests…  Rich tastes; worldliness

 PEOPLE!

 Sentimental and tender & speaks elegant French  Smile is “simple and coy”; “elegant” nose; “glass gray eyes,”; small, soft, red mouth suggests…  Perfect beauty

Irony of Chaucer: charity should be for needy people, but it is for animals; love is very worldly rather than Amor Dei, godly; expresses a desire to show courtly manners, rather than follow rules of simplicity; expensive jewelry suggests worldliness instead of poverty.

Prioress (Nun)—(lines122168)  Eglentyen/sweetbriar  Exceptionally mannerly when eating  Animal rights activist— should be concerned with?

 Coral trinket on her arm, green prayer beads, “Love Conquers all” on her golden brooch suggests…  Rich tastes; worldliness

 PEOPLE!

 Sentimental and tender & speaks elegant French  Smile is “simple and coy”; “elegant” nose; “glass gray eyes,”; small, soft, red mouth suggests…  Perfect beauty

Irony of Chaucer: charity should be for needy people, but it is for animals; love is very worldly rather than Amor Dei, godly; expresses a desire to show courtly manners, rather than follow rules of simplicity; expensive jewelry suggests worldliness instead of poverty.

The Monk (lines 169-211)  A Manly Man, fat, prominent eyeballs, supple boots, not pale,  Loves hunting & fine food  Bridle “jingles”; garnished sleeves; fine tunic; owns many horses and greyhounds; suggests…  Wealth he should not have

 Ignores the rules of the monastery

The Monk in Chaucer’s prologue is corrupt; Loves good food, expensive clothing and hunting violate the monastic views of poverty and simplicity and displays no guilt. Hunting was a big no-no for Monks. •Irony: “finest sort”, suitable to be an abbot, agrees with point of view, “fair prelaat”

The Monk (lines 169-211)  A Manly Man, fat, prominent eyeballs, supple boots, not pale,  Loves hunting & fine food  Bridle “jingles”; garnished sleeves; fine tunic; owns many horses and greyhounds; suggests…  Wealth he should not have

 Ignores the rules of the monastery

The Monk it Chaucer’s prologue is corrupt; Loves good food, expensive clothing and hunting violate the monastic views of poverty and simplicity and displays no guilt. Hunting was a big no-no for Monks. •Irony: “finest sort”, suitable to be an abbot, agrees with point of view, “fair prelaat”

The Friar (lines 212-279)  Brother Hubert has a white  Knows the taverns and the neck barmaids well suggests…  Supports himself through  Took confessions—and begging—well rehearsed and pardons them…for a spoken “gift”…suggests…  He manipulates people’s  Loved among the rich land desire to be good owners; Only deals with the rich; avoids the poor beggars  Arbitrates disputes for a fee and lepers…suggests…  He is corrupt and only cares about worldly things

 Sings and plays hurdy-gurdy and lisps to attract women  Fixes up many young women…after giving them lovely gifts…suggests…  He has seduced them first

Chaucer paints a picture of the corrupt clergy •Irony: “strong pillar of the church”, calls him merry, sweet, pleasant and worthy

The Friar (lines 212-279)  Brother Hubert has a white  Knows the taverns and the neck barmaids well suggests…  Supports himself through  Took confessions—and begging—well rehearsed and pardons them…for a spoken “gift”…suggests…  He manipulates people’s  Loved among the rich land desire to be good owners; Only deals with the rich; avoids the poor beggars  Arbitrates disputes for a fee and lepers…suggests…  He is corrupt and only cares about worldly things

 Sings and plays hurdy-gurdy and lisps to attract women  Fixes up many young women…after giving them lovely gifts…suggests…  He has seduced them first

Chaucer paints a picture of the corrupt clergy •Irony: “strong pillar of the church”, calls him merry, sweet, pleasant and worthy

Merchant (lines 280-294)  Split beard, assorted dress, Flemish beaver hat, buckled boots.  An expert with money and exchanging money  In debt but no one knows because he “cooks the books”

Representative of the middle class; is in debt but pretends not to be an hides it cleverly; Chaucer says he is a worthy man— respects the middle class despite the deception

Merchant (lines 280-294)  Split beard, assorted dress, Flemish beaver hat, buckled boots.  An expert with money and exchanging money  In debt but no one knows because he “cooks the books”

Representative of the middle class; is in debt but pretends not to be an hides it cleverly; Chaucer says he is a worthy man— respects the middle class despite the deception

The Oxford Cleric (lines 295-318)  Still a student  Thin horse; thin, hollow, sober staring man; thread bare coat  Prefers books to clothes  “philosopher’s stone” reference—myth of philosophy  Formal and extremely respectful—gladly learn and teach

Idealized character- a serious student who cars for little but studying and is so poor he cant even keep clothes on his back or books on his tables; When he speaks, he speaks with a purpose and he always prays for others. Forfeits worldly pleasure for knowledge.

The Oxford Cleric (lines 295-318)  Still a student  Thin horse; thin, hollow, sober staring man; thread bare coat  Prefers books to clothes  “philosopher’s stone” reference—myth of philosophy  Formal and extremely respectful—gladly learn and teach

Idealized character- a serious student who cars for little but studying and is so poor he cant even keep clothes on his back or books on his tables; When he speaks, he speaks with a purpose and he always prays for others. Forfeits worldly pleasure for knowledge.

The Lawyer (lines 319341)  Expert lawyer with great import  Offers himself as a judge  Discreet and cautious  Homely parti-colored coat, girt with a silken belt of pinstripe stuff

Irony: Chaucer makes a point to comment on pretending as a part of human nature and the Lawyer believes he is much more important than society really views him.

The Lawyer (lines 319341)  Expert lawyer with great import  Offers himself as a judge  Discreet and cautious  Homely parti-colored coat, girt with a silken belt of pinstripe stuff

Irony: Chaucer makes a point to comment on pretending as a part of human nature and the Lawyer believes he is much more important than society really views him.

The Franklin (lines 341379)  Daisy white beard, cheerful  Always has food and drink ready at his house  Parliamentary representative for the country  Sheriff he checked every entry

The Franklin as a social climber and spends most of his time pretending he is better than he is. He is a hedonist (pleasure is all important). He loves happy people who will eat and drink with him.

The Franklin (lines 341379)  Daisy white beard, cheerful  Always has food and drink ready at his house  Parliamentary representative for the country  Had a dagger and a little purse of silk—white as morning milk  Sheriff he checked every entry

The Franklin as a social climber and spends most of his time pretending he is better than he is. He is a hedonist (pleasure is all important). He loves happy people who will eat and drink with him.

The Craftsmen (lines 371388)  Carpenter, haberdasher, dyer, weaver, tapestry maker  Dressed more mightily than their rank suggests  Wives follow behind with and insist on being called “Madam” while their mantles are carried like royalty

The craftsmen are treated as a group and none is given of single. Chaucer again is making the point that people like to pretend they are better than they truly are and he seems to satirize them through their wives.

The Craftsmen (lines 371388)  Carpenter, haberdasher, dyer, weaver, tapestry maker  Dressed more mightily than their rank suggests  Wives follow behind with and insist on being called “Madam” while their mantles are carried like royalty

The craftsmen are treated as a group and none is given of single. Chaucer again is making the point that people like to pretend they are better than they truly are and he seems to satirize them through their wives.

The Cook (lines 389-397)  Good cook who makes thick soup— had an ulcer on his knee (a crusty sore)  Travels with the guildsman

The Cook (lines 389-397)  Good cook who makes thick soup— had an ulcer on his knee (a crusty sore)  Travels with the guildsman

The Skipper (lines 498420)  Very good at his job  Rides well  Wears a dagger on his neck  Tanned from the summer heat  Steals wine from the captain while the captain sleeps  Owned the Maudelayne

The Skipper (lines 498420)  Very good at his job  Rides well  Wears a dagger on his neck  Tanned from the summer heat  Steals wine from the captain while the captain sleeps  Owned the Maudelayne

The Doctor (lines 421-454)  Talks really well about medicine as related to astronomy  Practice magic and medicine according to the stars  Did not read the Bible but knew all about Greek mythology  Wore blood-red garments with bluish-gray lines  Had a special love for gold

The doctor knew his art well, which he used to his advantage by making sure he could make a profit by manipulating the facts in cahoots with the apothecaries. Suggests he is very greedy, but is very stereotypical of the doctors of the time.

The Doctor (lines 421-454)  Talks really well about medicine as related to astronomy  Practice magic and medicine according to the stars  Did not read the Bible but knew all about Greek mythology  Wore blood-red garments with bluish-gray lines  Had a special love for gold

The doctor knew his art well, which he used to his advantage by making sure he could make a profit by manipulating the facts in cahoots with the apothecaries. Suggests he is very greedy, but is very stereotypical of the doctors of the time.

The Wife of Bath (lines 455-486)  Somewhat deaf  Makes wool  Gets married a lot (5 times already)  Wore scarlet red hose and tight garter; bold, handsome, red face with a gap in her teeth  Been on many pilgrimages  Knows everything about love

Thinks of herself as the best person and dresses boldly. Gap toothed person in the Middle Ages is very lucky and travels far and wide. She knows how to enjoy herself and brags about knowing the cure for loves. Character appeals for the liberation of women—but she can be offensive Irony: “Amor Remedia” rather than “Ars Amatoria” (remedy over art)

The Wife of Bath (lines 455-486)  Somewhat deaf  Makes wool  Gets married a lot (5 times already)  Wore scarlet red hose and tight garter; bold, handsome, red face with a gap in her teeth  Been on many pilgrimages  Knows everything about love

Thinks of herself as the best person and dresses boldly. Gap toothed person in the Middle Ages is very lucky and travels far and wide. She knows how to enjoy herself and brags about knowing the cure for loves. Character appeals for the liberation of women—but she can be offensive Irony: “Amor Remedia” rather than “Ars Amatoria” (remedy over art)

The Parson (lines 487-438)  Rich in spirit, but monetarily poor  Gives his own goods to his people and calls on people no mater what  Always fair and wise  Always follows what is right

Idealized figure: devoid of any irony or satire. The most virtuous of all the pilgrims but serves as a criticism of the priests in the Middle Ages. Opposed to excommunicating poor parishioners who could not pay their tithes to the church and sometimes gives his own money to the poor even though he has very little. Chaucer uses the imagery of a shepherd tending his flock because of his virtue. An ideal stereotype of what priesthood should be—contrast to other religious figures

The Parson (lines 487-438)  Rich in spirit, but monetarily poor  Gives his own goods to his people and calls on people no mater what  Always fair and wise  Always follows what is right

Idealized figure: devoid of any irony or satire. The most virtuous of all the pilgrims but serves as a criticism of the priests in the Middle Ages. Opposed to excommunicating poor parishioners who could not pay their tithes to the church and sometimes gives his own money to the poor even though he has very little. Chaucer uses the imagery of a shepherd tending his flock because of his virtue. An ideal stereotype of what priesthood should be—contrast to other religious figures

The Plowman ( lines 539555)  The Parson’s brother, works hard and honestly for his living  Wears a tabard (loose jacket) smock and rode a mare

Idealized character—industrious and a hard worker who lives in peace and always helps out his neighbors. He loves God and always pays his tithes. Chaucer admires his pride and his calling.

The Plowman ( lines 539555)  The Parson’s brother, works hard and honestly for his living  Wears a tabard (loose jacket) smock and rode a mare

Idealized character—industrious and a hard worker who lives in peace and always helps out his neighbors. He loves God and always pays his tithes. Chaucer admires his pride and is calling.

The Miller (lines 561-584)  Robin weighs 224 lbs, very strong and wins at wrestling because he broad, knotty and shortshouldered; can heave a door off its hinges  Wart on his nose; nostrils were black and wide; mouth like a furnace door  Carries a sword and buckler; wears a hood of blue and a white coat and plays bagpipes (Irish descent)

Representation of a dishonest man; he is a rich and makes as much of his own profits as he can; physical description is representative of his personality: shameless, wordy, quarrelsome, deceitful and lecherous. He steals grain and yet has a golden thumb Irony: “golden thumb” increases his own profits only

The Miller (lines 561-584)  Robin weighs 224 lbs, very strong and wins at wrestling because he broad, knotty and shortshouldered; can heave a door off its hinges  Wart on his nose; nostrils were black and wide; mouth like a furnace door  Carries a sword and buckler; wears a hood of blue and a white coat and plays bagpipes (Irish descent)

Representation of a dishonest man; he is a rich and makes as much of his own profits as he can; physical description is representative of his personality: shameless, wordy, quarrelsome, deceitful and lecherous. He steals grain and yet has a golden thumb Irony: “golden thumb” increases his own profits only

Manciple (lines 585-604)  Buyer of provisions for a college or court  Watches the market precisely  Illiterate but outwits the educated

As dishonest as the Miller and always makes a profit on his purchases Irony: praise of financial wisdom that enables him to trick the wise of the country— professional malpractice

Manciple (lines 585-604)  Buyer of provisions for a college or court  Watches the market precisely  Illiterate but outwits the educated

As dishonest as the Miller and always makes a profit on his purchases Irony: praise of financial wisdom that enables him to trick the wise of the country— professional malpractice

The Reeve (lines 605-640)  Oswald—slender and choleric; closely shaven beard; shorn hair abruptly stops above his ears; docked on top like a priest; chicken legs;  Wears an overcoat of blue; has a rusty blade at his side  Manages the estates of wealthy land owners  Steals from the estate  Learned carpentry

Choleric temper and slender legs indicate a lecherous character; inferior position indicated by facial hair; he is deceitful because he cheats his lord and blackmails the others in the county and everyone fears him as a result. He is richer than his lord and lends him money.

The Reeve (lines 605-640)  Oswald—slender and choleric; closely shaven beard; shorn hair abruptly stops above his ears; docked on top like a priest; chicken legs;  Wears an overcoat of blue; has a rusty blade at his side  Manages the estates of wealthy land owners  Steals from the estate  Learned carpentry

Choleric temper and slender legs indicate a lecherous character; inferior position indicated by facial hair; he is deceitful because he cheats his lord and blackmails the others in the county and everyone fears him as a result. He is richer than his lord and lends him money.

The Pardoner (lines 689734)  Compared to Summoner—together they sing a song about lustful love  Has yellow waxy hair hanging down on his head thin like rat-tails; has bulging eyeballs; small voice like a goat; no beard  Wore a little cap

Personification of evil; sells holy relics and favors to pardon people form all their sins to ensure purgatory; extorts money from people by preaching against having money; has repulsive physical features; special skill is singing at the offertory to extract money.

Sarcastic tone rather than subtle irony

The Pardoner (lines 689734)  Compared to Summoner—together they sing a song about lustful love  Has yellow waxy hair hanging down on his head thin like rat-tails; has bulging eyeballs; small voice like a goat; no beard  Wore a little cap

Personification of evil; sells holy relics and favors to pardon people form all their sins to ensure purgatory; extorts money from people by preaching against having money; has repulsive physical features; special skill is singing at the offertory to extract money.

Sarcastic tone rather than subtle irony

The Summoner (lines 641688)  Fire-red cherubinnish face with pus-filled boils all over; has narrow eyes and is lecherous; black scabby brows and a thin beard and his appearance scares small kids  Loves garlic, onions and leeks as well as strong wine and only speaks in Latin when he is drunk  Blackmails everyone he can  Wore garland on his head  Allows sinners to keep mistresses for a year in return for wine—likely he commits the same sin  illiterate

Responsible for summoning sinners before the church courts but Chaucer shows extreme loathing for the character; grouped with the pardoner—also hated by Chaucer; physical deformities represent an awful soul

Sarcasm: approval of the summoner “friendlier rascal”

The Summoner (lines 641688)  Fire0red cherubinnish face with pus-filled boils all over; has narrow eyes and is lecherous; black scabby brows and a thin beard and his appearance scares small kids  Loves garlic, onions and leeks as well as strong wine and only speaks in Latin when he is drunk  Blackmails everyone he can  Wore garland on his head  Allows sinners to keep mistresses for a year in return for wine—likely he commits the same sin  illiterate

Responsible for summoning sinners before the church courts but Chaucer shows extreme loathing for the character; grouped with the pardoner—also hated by Chaucer; physical deformities represent an awful soul

Sarcasm: approval of the summoner “friendlier rascal”

The Host (lines767-803)  Harry Bailey is friendly, agreeable, and sensible  very warm and inviting  Offers the story telling contest to the pilgrims  Joins them on the quest to serve as a mediator

Chaucer  Author and appears as a pilgrim through the narrative  Functions as a naïve narrator and the guide on the way to Canterbury and we learn about his society through the irony and sarcasm he relates through the tales and stories. His tone requires careful reflection

Good Guys  Knight  Squire  Yeoman  Merchant  Oxford Cleric  Parson  Plowman  Host

Bad Guys  Nun  Monk  Friar  Lawyer  Franklin  Craftsmen  Cook  Skipper  Doctor  Wife of Bath  Miller  Manciple  Reeve  Summoner  Pardoner

“The Ship of Fools”

Good Guys  Knight  Squire  Yeoman  Merchant  Oxford Cleric  Parson  Plowman  Host

Bad Guys  Nun  Monk  Friar  Lawyer  Franklin  Craftsmen  Cook  Skipper  Doctor  Wife of Bath  Miller  Manciple  Reeve  Summoner  Pardoner

How can Chaucer’s Pilgrims be seen as a “ship of fools”? Give examples.

Feudalism

Orare: those who pray

Pugnare: Those who fight

Labore: Those who work

Chaucer’s society is… How does this compare to our own? Explain your response by using specific comparisons between our stereotypes and Chaucer’s