“Prologue” to

The Canterbury Tales

PurposeSpring – rebirth, Pilgrimage to Canterbury

Pay homage to the martyr Saint Thomas a Becket

Tales characters create to pass the time

PurposeCharacters = various aspects of society

Presented in order of their rank

Each pilgrim tells four stories

TermsSatire – a humorous writing or speech intended to point out errors in order to reform human behavior or human institutions.

Physiognomy - the art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, esp. of the face. (dictionary. COM)

TermsFrame structure & Frame Tale – a story that provides a vehicle for the telling of other stories

Characterization – the use of literary techniques to create a character. Indirect & Direct?

Irony – a difference between appearance and reality.

Setting & NarratorSouthwark, The Tabbard Inn

29 travelers

Narrator (+ 1) – meets travelers and will go on pilgrimage with them

Offers descriptions of each of the travelers

Setting & NarratorWill be repeating the tales of everyone

Going to speak plainly

“The word should be as cousin to the deed” – Narrator quotes Plato

KnightAn honored fighter…he always winsDress – shabby and stainedSin?

SquireSon of the Knight20 yrs. OldDanced, wrote poetry, sangLover (“He slept as little as a nightingale”What is his motive for following his father?Sin?

YeomanWith the Knight and the SquireDress of the forester – bright green, geared up for huntingSin?

Nun, PrioressMother Superior; had another Nun and 3 PriestsFeigned knowing French – knowing French would mean having statusHow did she eat?Courtliness – politely or flatteringlyCounterfeit courtly grace - clumsyPhysical Features – fat, uglyJewelry – bright and expensiveAmor vincit omnia – Love conquers allSin?

MonkHunting regularlyStrict with his religious duties? - “took the modern world’s more spacious way”Sin?

FriarWanton – extravagant, unrestrained“knew taverns”“giving each/Of his young women what he could afford/Her” – fascinated with women (lustful)Good beggarWhere is the money going? = Sin?

MerchantStately, rich in dress“In solemn tones, he harped on his increase/Of capital” – talked about all of his assets (money)“none knew he was in debt”Sin?

Oxford ClericVery skinny…sickly, weakCouldn’t work in Church or outside of ChurchWhat did he actually do with his time?What should he be doing?Sin?

Sergeant at the LawLawyer“He was less busy than he seemed to be” – feigning being busy…why?...sin?

FranklinLandowner; dressed well (colorful)Dagger and purse – some sort of threatening natureWhat is the contrast that exists in this character?If he’s a social-climber, what’s his sin?

GuildsmenTradesmenWhat are their aspirations? – to be aldermenTools were all polished, perfect, and matchingWives – stately airs; showing off their place at ChurchWhat is their sin?

CookAre the foods listed difficult recipes? Ulcer – disgusting element to someone that makes delicious foodsHe is not so appetizing to see = ironySin?

SkipperCaptain of a shipEnjoyed drinking – “Many a draft of yellow and red/He’d drawn at Bordeaux”“The nicer rules of conscience he ignored” – what does this mean?Harsh and unforgiving - “He sent his prisoner’s home; they walked the plank” – What is “home” here?Sin?

DoctorGuile – slyness & cunning“….each make money from the other’s guile” – who were all the people involved in the guile?Did not read Bible – what is the irony in his attendance on this particular trip?“Gold stimulates the heart, or so we’re told./He therefore had a special love of gold.”What are the Doctor’s vices (bad habits/sins)?

Wife of BathExcellent seamstressWhat would upset her at the altar? What would she do if she didn’t get her way?Men? – plenty of experience!Gap-teeth – gluttonousSelf-proclaimed “love doctor”

ParsonPoorKnew and taught the Bible“Nay rather he preferred beyond a doubt/Giving to poor parishioners round about/Both from Church offerings and his property” – Where would he get the money from to give to the poor?

Parson“This noble example to his sheep he gave/That first he wrought, and afterwards he taught;/And it was from the Gospel he had caught/Those words, and he would add this figure too,/That if gold rust, what then will iron do?”What is the Parson’s ideal in this passage? What literary device does he use to portray it?“Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their love/He taught, but followed it himself before”

PlowmanWorked in fields: tilled soil, planted corn, made manure, dug ditches“….and, as prompt as any,/He paid his tithes in full when they were due/On what he owned, and on his earnings too”What is his sin?

MillerStout and red-headed“His was master-hand at stealing grain” - How would he steal it?Sin?

MancipleVictuals – food suppliesIlliterate – can’t readGifted at the marketHow does Chaucer compare the Manciple to the men that he works for (lawyers)?Sin?

ReeveHe was in charge of the farming of his landownersHe was knowledgeable in every aspect of his job and could not be swindledHad his own staff of riches; How did he use them? (How was his lord involved?)Sin?

SummonerUgly – “His face on fire…/for he had carbuncle. His eyes were narrow…/Black scabby brows he had, and a thin beard./Children were afraid when he appeared”; puss-filled pimplesDrunk & loudLines 660-663 – How does Chaucer describe this man’s talents?

Summoner“Why he’d allow-just for a quart of wine-/any good lad to keep a concubine [(whore)]/A twelvemonth [(year)] and dispense [(to grant exemption from a law or promise)] him altogether!”“He knew their secrets, they did what he said.” - Blackmail

PardonerStringy, blonde hair; hare-like eyeballs“He’d sewed a holy relic on his cap;/His wallet lay before him on his lap” – What do you think this juxtaposition means?“For in his trunk he had a pillow-case/Which he asserted was Our Lady’s [Mary’s] veil” – What is the truth about the relics?Taught lessons well!

HostDelicious food and amenitiesFair, fun manComes up with the contestActs as their “Governor”

Contest– Two stories there– Two stories back– Best tale (good morality and pleasure) gets a

free supper– Host = judge (will join the pilgrimage)– Don’t play by rules = paying for expenses on

trip (everyone’s)– Draw straws to see who goes first - Knight