Transcript Characters from The Canterbury Tales

Characters from The
Canterbury Tales
By
Geoffrey Chaucer
(Including the Prologue)
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Prioress, continued
– King spoke Anglo-French
– More anxious to be respected for manners then
holiness.
– Some nuns over 50 were allowed pets.
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.
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
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”
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
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
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
Five Guildsmen
A haberdasher, carpenter, weaver, dyer, and
tapestry maker traveled in group and were
prosperous gentleman.
– Early union
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Host
Only seven lines describe the host of the
Tabard Inn in Southwark.
– Probably meant to be Chaucer