Canterbury TalesCanterbury TalesProloguePrologueThe characterThe character’’s and their stereotypes: s and their stereotypes: revelations and perceptions*revelations and perceptions*

Summaries borrowed from Summaries borrowed from www.sparknotes.comwww.sparknotes.com

The Knight (lines 43-80)The Knight (lines 43-80)

Noble in battle—enjoys Noble in battle—enjoys adventureadventure

The epitome of chivalryThe epitome of chivalry Strong and brave Strong and brave

(especially to have (especially to have survived so many battlessurvived so many battles—15 plus jousts—always —15 plus jousts—always killed his man)killed his man)

WiseWise Modest Modest ““a true and a true and

perfect gentle knightperfect gentle knight””

Has fine horsesHas fine horses Dresses in natural Dresses in natural

clothing with smudgesclothing with smudges Realistic/humanizedRealistic/humanized

Going on the Pilgrimage Going on the Pilgrimage to show thanks to God to show thanks to God for his talentsfor 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.

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)The Knight (lines 43-80)

Noble in battle—enjoys Noble in battle—enjoys adventureadventure

The epitome of chivalryThe epitome of chivalry Strong and brave Strong and brave

(especially to have (especially to have survived so many battlessurvived so many battles—15 plus jousts—always —15 plus jousts—always killed his man)killed his man)

WiseWise Modest Modest ““a true and a true and

perfect gentle knightperfect gentle knight””

Has fine horsesHas fine horses Dresses in natural Dresses in natural

clothing with smudgesclothing with smudges Realistic/humanizedRealistic/humanized

Going on the Pilgrimage Going on the Pilgrimage to show thanks to God to show thanks to God for his talentsfor 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.

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 Squire (lines 81-102)

The KnightThe Knight’’s son—s son—youthful (20 years old); youthful (20 years old); ““loverlover”” and and ““cadetcadet””

Curly hair (as if pressed)Curly hair (as if pressed) Suggests heSuggests he’’s a dandy—s a dandy—

concerned with his looksconcerned with his looks

Served in the cavalry Served in the cavalry and done valiantlyand done valiantly

Likes to sing and write Likes to sing and write songssongs

Does everything with a Does everything with a passionpassion

Destined to become just Destined to become just like his fatherlike his father

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 Squire (lines 81-102)

The KnightThe Knight’’s son—s son—youthful (20 years old); youthful (20 years old); ““loverlover”” and and ““cadetcadet””

Curly hair (as if pressed)Curly hair (as if pressed) Suggests heSuggests he’’s a dandy—s a dandy—

concerned with his looksconcerned with his looks

Served in the cavalry Served in the cavalry and done valiantlyand done valiantly

Likes to sing and write Likes to sing and write songssongs

Does everything with a Does everything with a passionpassion

Destined to become just Destined to become just like his fatherlike his father

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 (lines103-The Yeoman (lines103-121)121)

An attendant of the An attendant of the SquireSquire

Dressed in green; Dressed in green; carries peacock carries peacock arrows and a bow and arrows and a bow and wears a bracelet to wears a bracelet to protect his arm; a protect his arm; a sword; a shield; and a sword; a shield; and a daggerdagger

Head like a nut Head like a nut w/brown facew/brown face

A hunter and A hunter and woodworker—attends woodworker—attends the Squire but has his the Squire but has his own personalityown personality

St. ChristopherSt. Christopher’’s medals medal Patron Saint of TravelersPatron 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 (lines103-The Yeoman (lines103-121)121)

An attendant of the An attendant of the SquireSquire

Dressed in green; Dressed in green; carries peacock carries peacock arrows and a bow and arrows and a bow and wears a bracelet to wears a bracelet to protect his arm; a protect his arm; a sword; a shield; and a sword; a shield; and a daggerdagger

Head like a nut Head like a nut w/brown facew/brown face

A hunter and A hunter and woodworker—attends woodworker—attends the Squire but has his the Squire but has his own personalityown personality

St. ChristopherSt. Christopher’’s medals medal Patron Saint of TravelersPatron 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)—Prioress (Nun)—(lines122-168)(lines122-168) Eglentyen/sweetbriarEglentyen/sweetbriar Exceptionally mannerly Exceptionally mannerly

when eatingwhen eating Animal rights activist—Animal rights activist—

should be concerned with? should be concerned with? PEOPLE!PEOPLE!

Sentimental and tender & Sentimental and tender & speaks elegant Frenchspeaks elegant French

Smile is Smile is ““simple and coysimple and coy””; ; ““elegantelegant”” nose; nose; ““glass gray glass gray eyes,eyes,””; small, soft, red ; small, soft, red mouth suggests… mouth suggests… Perfect beautyPerfect beauty

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

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)—Prioress (Nun)—(lines122-168)(lines122-168) Eglentyen/sweetbriarEglentyen/sweetbriar Exceptionally mannerly Exceptionally mannerly

when eatingwhen eating Animal rights activist—Animal rights activist—

should be concerned with? should be concerned with? PEOPLE!PEOPLE!

Sentimental and tender & Sentimental and tender & speaks elegant Frenchspeaks elegant French

Smile is Smile is ““simple and coysimple and coy””; ; ““elegantelegant”” nose; nose; ““glass gray glass gray eyes,eyes,””; small, soft, red ; small, soft, red mouth suggests… mouth suggests… Perfect beautyPerfect beauty

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

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)The Monk (lines 169-211)

A Manly Man, fat, A Manly Man, fat, prominent eyeballs, prominent eyeballs, supple boots, not pale, supple boots, not pale,

Loves hunting & fine Loves hunting & fine foodfood

Bridle Bridle ““jinglesjingles””; ; garnished sleeves; fine garnished sleeves; fine tunic; owns many horses tunic; owns many horses and greyhounds; and greyhounds; suggests…suggests… Wealth he should not Wealth he should not

havehave

Ignores the rules of the Ignores the rules of the monasterymonastery

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)The Monk (lines 169-211)

A Manly Man, fat, A Manly Man, fat, prominent eyeballs, prominent eyeballs, supple boots, not pale, supple boots, not pale,

Loves hunting & fine Loves hunting & fine foodfood

Bridle Bridle ““jinglesjingles””; ; garnished sleeves; fine garnished sleeves; fine tunic; owns many horses tunic; owns many horses and greyhounds; and greyhounds; suggests…suggests… Wealth he should not Wealth he should not

havehave

Ignores the rules of the Ignores the rules of the monasterymonastery

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)The Friar (lines 212-279) Brother Hubert has a white Brother Hubert has a white

neckneck Supports himself through Supports himself through

begging—well rehearsed and begging—well rehearsed and spokenspoken

Loved among the rich land Loved among the rich land owners; Only deals with the owners; Only deals with the rich; avoids the poor beggars rich; avoids the poor beggars and lepers…suggests…and lepers…suggests… He is corrupt and only cares about He is corrupt and only cares about

worldly thingsworldly things Sings and plays hurdy-gurdy Sings and plays hurdy-gurdy

and lisps to attract womenand lisps to attract women Fixes up many young women…Fixes up many young women…

after giving them lovely gifts…after giving them lovely gifts…suggests…suggests… He has seduced them firstHe has seduced them first

Knows the taverns and the Knows the taverns and the barmaids well suggests…barmaids well suggests…

Took confessions—and Took confessions—and pardons them…for a pardons them…for a ““giftgift””…suggests……suggests… He manipulates peopleHe manipulates people’’s s

desire to be gooddesire to be good Arbitrates disputes for a Arbitrates disputes for a

feefee

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)The Friar (lines 212-279) Brother Hubert has a white Brother Hubert has a white

neckneck Supports himself through Supports himself through

begging—well rehearsed and begging—well rehearsed and spokenspoken

Loved among the rich land Loved among the rich land owners; Only deals with the owners; Only deals with the rich; avoids the poor beggars rich; avoids the poor beggars and lepers…suggests…and lepers…suggests… He is corrupt and only cares about He is corrupt and only cares about

worldly thingsworldly things Sings and plays hurdy-gurdy Sings and plays hurdy-gurdy

and lisps to attract womenand lisps to attract women Fixes up many young women…Fixes up many young women…

after giving them lovely gifts…after giving them lovely gifts…suggests…suggests… He has seduced them firstHe has seduced them first

Knows the taverns and the Knows the taverns and the barmaids well suggests…barmaids well suggests…

Took confessions—and Took confessions—and pardons them…for a pardons them…for a ““giftgift””…suggests……suggests… He manipulates peopleHe manipulates people’’s s

desire to be gooddesire to be good Arbitrates disputes for a Arbitrates disputes for a

feefee

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)Merchant (lines 280-294)

Split beard, assorted Split beard, assorted dress, Flemish dress, Flemish beaver hat, buckled beaver hat, buckled boots. boots.

An expert with An expert with money and money and exchanging moneyexchanging money

In debt but no one In debt but no one knows because he knows because he ““cooks the bookscooks the books””

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

Merchant (lines 280-294)Merchant (lines 280-294)

Split beard, assorted Split beard, assorted dress, Flemish dress, Flemish beaver hat, buckled beaver hat, buckled boots. boots.

An expert with An expert with money and money and exchanging moneyexchanging money

In debt but no one In debt but no one knows because he knows because he ““cooks the bookscooks the books””

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

The Oxford Cleric (lines The Oxford Cleric (lines 295-318)295-318)

Still a studentStill a student Thin horse; thin, hollow, Thin horse; thin, hollow,

sober staring man; sober staring man; thread bare coatthread bare coat

Prefers books to clothesPrefers books to clothes ““philosopherphilosopher’’s stones stone””

reference—myth of reference—myth of philosophyphilosophy

Formal and extremely Formal and extremely respectful—gladly learn respectful—gladly learn and teachand 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 The Oxford Cleric (lines 295-318)295-318)

Still a studentStill a student Thin horse; thin, hollow, Thin horse; thin, hollow,

sober staring man; sober staring man; thread bare coatthread bare coat

Prefers books to clothesPrefers books to clothes ““philosopherphilosopher’’s stones stone””

reference—myth of reference—myth of philosophyphilosophy

Formal and extremely Formal and extremely respectful—gladly learn respectful—gladly learn and teachand 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 319-The Lawyer (lines 319-341)341)

Expert lawyer with Expert lawyer with great importgreat import

Offers himself as a Offers himself as a judgejudge

Discreet and Discreet and cautiouscautious

Homely parti-colored Homely parti-colored coat, girt with a coat, girt with a silken belt of pin-silken belt of pin-stripe stuffstripe 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 319-The Lawyer (lines 319-341)341)

Expert lawyer with Expert lawyer with great importgreat import

Offers himself as a Offers himself as a judgejudge

Discreet and Discreet and cautiouscautious

Homely parti-colored Homely parti-colored coat, girt with a coat, girt with a silken belt of pin-silken belt of pin-stripe stuffstripe 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 341-The Franklin (lines 341-379)379)

Daisy white beard, Daisy white beard, cheerfulcheerful

Always has food and Always has food and drink ready at his housedrink ready at his house

Parliamentary Parliamentary representative for the representative for the countrycountry

Sheriff he checked every Sheriff he checked every entry 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 341-The Franklin (lines 341-379)379)

Daisy white beard, Daisy white beard, cheerfulcheerful

Always has food and Always has food and drink ready at his housedrink ready at his house

Parliamentary Parliamentary representative for the representative for the countrycountry

Had a dagger and a little Had a dagger and a little purse of silk—white as purse of silk—white as morning milkmorning milk

Sheriff he checked every Sheriff he checked every entry 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 371-The Craftsmen (lines 371-388)388)

Carpenter, haberdasher, Carpenter, haberdasher, dyer, weaver, tapestry dyer, weaver, tapestry makermaker

Dressed more mightily Dressed more mightily than their rank suggeststhan their rank suggests

Wives follow behind with Wives follow behind with and insist on being and insist on being called called ““MadamMadam”” while while their mantles are carried their mantles are carried like royaltylike 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 371-The Craftsmen (lines 371-388)388)

Carpenter, haberdasher, Carpenter, haberdasher, dyer, weaver, tapestry dyer, weaver, tapestry makermaker

Dressed more mightily Dressed more mightily than their rank suggeststhan their rank suggests

Wives follow behind with Wives follow behind with and insist on being and insist on being called called ““MadamMadam”” while while their mantles are carried their mantles are carried like royaltylike 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)The Cook (lines 389-397)

Good cook who Good cook who makes thick soup—makes thick soup—had an ulcer on his had an ulcer on his knee (a crusty sore) knee (a crusty sore)

Travels with the Travels with the guildsmanguildsman

The Cook (lines 389-397)The Cook (lines 389-397)

Good cook who Good cook who makes thick soup—makes thick soup—had an ulcer on his had an ulcer on his knee (a crusty sore) knee (a crusty sore)

Travels with the Travels with the guildsmanguildsman

The Skipper (lines 498-The Skipper (lines 498-420)420)

Very good at his jobVery good at his job Rides wellRides well Wears a dagger on his Wears a dagger on his

neckneck Tanned from the Tanned from the

summer heatsummer heat Steals wine from the Steals wine from the

captain while the captain captain while the captain sleepssleeps

Owned the MaudelayneOwned the Maudelayne

The Skipper (lines 498-The Skipper (lines 498-420)420)

Very good at his jobVery good at his job Rides wellRides well Wears a dagger on his Wears a dagger on his

neckneck Tanned from the Tanned from the

summer heatsummer heat Steals wine from the Steals wine from the

captain while the captain captain while the captain sleepssleeps

Owned the MaudelayneOwned the Maudelayne

The Doctor (lines 421-The Doctor (lines 421-454)454)

Talks really well about Talks really well about medicine as related to medicine as related to astronomyastronomy

Practice magic and medicine Practice magic and medicine according to the starsaccording to the stars

Did not read the Bible but Did not read the Bible but knew all about Greek knew all about Greek mythologymythology

Wore blood-red garments Wore blood-red garments with bluish-gray lineswith bluish-gray lines

Had a special love for goldHad 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-The Doctor (lines 421-454)454)

Talks really well about Talks really well about medicine as related to medicine as related to astronomyastronomy

Practice magic and medicine Practice magic and medicine according to the starsaccording to the stars

Did not read the Bible but Did not read the Bible but knew all about Greek knew all about Greek mythologymythology

Wore blood-red garments Wore blood-red garments with bluish-gray lineswith bluish-gray lines

Had a special love for goldHad 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 The Wife of Bath (lines 455-486)455-486)

Somewhat deafSomewhat deaf Makes woolMakes wool Gets married a lot (5 Gets married a lot (5

times already)times already) Wore scarlet red hose Wore scarlet red hose

and tight garter; bold, and tight garter; bold, handsome, red face with handsome, red face with a gap in her teetha gap in her teeth

Been on many Been on many pilgrimagespilgrimages

Knows everything about Knows everything about lovelove

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 The Wife of Bath (lines 455-486)455-486)

Somewhat deafSomewhat deaf Makes woolMakes wool Gets married a lot (5 Gets married a lot (5

times already)times already) Wore scarlet red hose Wore scarlet red hose

and tight garter; bold, and tight garter; bold, handsome, red face with handsome, red face with a gap in her teetha gap in her teeth

Been on many Been on many pilgrimagespilgrimages

Knows everything about Knows everything about lovelove

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-The Parson (lines 487-438)438)

Rich in spirit, but Rich in spirit, but monetarily poormonetarily poor

Gives his own goods Gives his own goods to his people and to his people and calls on people no calls on people no mater whatmater what

Always fair and wiseAlways fair and wise Always follows what Always follows what

is rightis 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-The Parson (lines 487-438)438)

Rich in spirit, but Rich in spirit, but monetarily poormonetarily poor

Gives his own goods Gives his own goods to his people and to his people and calls on people no calls on people no mater whatmater what

Always fair and wiseAlways fair and wise Always follows what Always follows what

is rightis 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 539-The Plowman ( lines 539-555)555)

The ParsonThe Parson’’s s brother, works hard brother, works hard and honestly for his and honestly for his livingliving

Wears a tabard Wears a tabard (loose jacket) smock (loose jacket) smock and rode a mareand 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 539-The Plowman ( lines 539-555)555)

The ParsonThe Parson’’s s brother, works hard brother, works hard and honestly for his and honestly for his livingliving

Wears a tabard Wears a tabard (loose jacket) smock (loose jacket) smock and rode a mareand 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)The Miller (lines 561-584)

Robin weighs 224 lbs, Robin weighs 224 lbs, very strong and wins at very strong and wins at wrestling because he wrestling because he broad, knotty and short-broad, knotty and short-shouldered; can heave a shouldered; can heave a door off its hingesdoor off its hinges

Wart on his nose; nostrils Wart on his nose; nostrils were black and wide; were black and wide; mouth like a furnace doormouth like a furnace door

Carries a sword and Carries a sword and buckler; wears a hood of buckler; wears a hood of blue and a white coat and blue and a white coat and plays bagpipes (Irish plays bagpipes (Irish descent) 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)The Miller (lines 561-584)

Robin weighs 224 lbs, Robin weighs 224 lbs, very strong and wins at very strong and wins at wrestling because he wrestling because he broad, knotty and short-broad, knotty and short-shouldered; can heave a shouldered; can heave a door off its hingesdoor off its hinges

Wart on his nose; nostrils Wart on his nose; nostrils were black and wide; were black and wide; mouth like a furnace doormouth like a furnace door

Carries a sword and Carries a sword and buckler; wears a hood of buckler; wears a hood of blue and a white coat and blue and a white coat and plays bagpipes (Irish plays bagpipes (Irish descent) 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)Manciple (lines 585-604)

Buyer of provisions Buyer of provisions for a college or courtfor a college or court

Watches the market Watches the market preciselyprecisely

Illiterate but outwits Illiterate but outwits the educatedthe 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)Manciple (lines 585-604)

Buyer of provisions Buyer of provisions for a college or courtfor a college or court

Watches the market Watches the market preciselyprecisely

Illiterate but outwits Illiterate but outwits the educatedthe 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-The Reeve (lines 605-640)640)

Oswald—slender and Oswald—slender and choleric; closely shaven choleric; closely shaven beard; shorn hair beard; shorn hair abruptly stops above his abruptly stops above his ears; docked on top like ears; docked on top like a priest; chicken legs; a priest; chicken legs;

Wears an overcoat of Wears an overcoat of blue; has a rusty blade blue; has a rusty blade at his sideat his side

Manages the estates of Manages the estates of wealthy land ownerswealthy land owners

Steals from the estateSteals from the estate Learned carpentryLearned 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-The Reeve (lines 605-640)640)

Oswald—slender and Oswald—slender and choleric; closely shaven choleric; closely shaven beard; shorn hair beard; shorn hair abruptly stops above his abruptly stops above his ears; docked on top like ears; docked on top like a priest; chicken legs; a priest; chicken legs;

Wears an overcoat of Wears an overcoat of blue; has a rusty blade blue; has a rusty blade at his sideat his side

Manages the estates of Manages the estates of wealthy land ownerswealthy land owners

Steals from the estateSteals from the estate Learned carpentryLearned 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 689-The Pardoner (lines 689-734)734)

Compared to SummonerCompared to Summoner—together they sing a —together they sing a song about lustful lovesong about lustful love

Has yellow waxy hair Has yellow waxy hair hanging down on his hanging down on his head thin like rat-tails; head thin like rat-tails; has bulging eyeballs; has bulging eyeballs; small voice like a goat; small voice like a goat; no beardno beard

Wore a little capWore 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 689-The Pardoner (lines 689-734)734)

Compared to SummonerCompared to Summoner—together they sing a —together they sing a song about lustful lovesong about lustful love

Has yellow waxy hair Has yellow waxy hair hanging down on his hanging down on his head thin like rat-tails; head thin like rat-tails; has bulging eyeballs; has bulging eyeballs; small voice like a goat; small voice like a goat; no beardno beard

Wore a little capWore 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 The Summoner (lines 641-688)641-688)

Fire-red cherubinnish face with Fire-red cherubinnish face with pus-filled boils all over; has pus-filled boils all over; has narrow eyes and is lecherous; narrow eyes and is lecherous; black scabby brows and a thin black scabby brows and a thin beard and his appearance scares beard and his appearance scares small kidssmall kids

Loves garlic, onions and leeks as Loves garlic, onions and leeks as well as strong wine and only well as strong wine and only speaks in Latin when he is drunkspeaks in Latin when he is drunk

Blackmails everyone he canBlackmails everyone he can Wore garland on his headWore garland on his head Allows sinners to keep mistresses Allows sinners to keep mistresses

for a year in return for wine—for a year in return for wine—likely he commits the same sinlikely he commits the same sin

illiterate 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 The Summoner (lines 641-688)641-688)

Fire0red cherubinnish face with Fire0red cherubinnish face with pus-filled boils all over; has pus-filled boils all over; has narrow eyes and is lecherous; narrow eyes and is lecherous; black scabby brows and a thin black scabby brows and a thin beard and his appearance scares beard and his appearance scares small kidssmall kids

Loves garlic, onions and leeks as Loves garlic, onions and leeks as well as strong wine and only well as strong wine and only speaks in Latin when he is drunkspeaks in Latin when he is drunk

Blackmails everyone he canBlackmails everyone he can Wore garland on his headWore garland on his head Allows sinners to keep mistresses Allows sinners to keep mistresses

for a year in return for wine—for a year in return for wine—likely he commits the same sinlikely he commits the same sin

illiterate 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)The Host (lines767-803)

Harry Bailey is Harry Bailey is friendly, agreeable, friendly, agreeable, and sensibleand sensible

very warm and inviting very warm and inviting Offers the story telling Offers the story telling

contest to the pilgrimscontest to the pilgrims Joins them on the Joins them on the

quest to serve as a quest to serve as a mediatormediator

ChaucerChaucer

Author and appears as a pilgrim through Author and appears as a pilgrim through the narrativethe narrative

Functions as a naïve narrator and the Functions as a naïve narrator and the guide on the way to Canterbury and we guide on the way to Canterbury and we learn about his society through the irony learn about his society through the irony and sarcasm he relates through the tales and sarcasm he relates through the tales and stories. His tone requires careful and stories. His tone requires careful reflectionreflection

Good GuysGood Guys KnightKnight SquireSquire YeomanYeoman MerchantMerchant Oxford ClericOxford Cleric ParsonParson PlowmanPlowman HostHost

Bad GuysBad Guys NunNun MonkMonk FriarFriar LawyerLawyer Franklin Franklin CraftsmenCraftsmen CookCook SkipperSkipper DoctorDoctor Wife of BathWife of Bath MillerMiller MancipleManciple ReeveReeve SummonerSummoner PardonerPardoner

““The Ship of FoolsThe Ship of Fools””

Good GuysGood Guys KnightKnight SquireSquire YeomanYeoman MerchantMerchant Oxford ClericOxford Cleric ParsonParson PlowmanPlowman HostHost

Bad GuysBad Guys NunNun MonkMonk FriarFriar LawyerLawyer Franklin Franklin CraftsmenCraftsmen CookCook SkipperSkipper DoctorDoctor Wife of BathWife of Bath MillerMiller MancipleManciple ReeveReeve SummonerSummoner PardonerPardoner

How can ChaucerHow can Chaucer’’s s Pilgrims be seen as a Pilgrims be seen as a ““ship of foolsship of fools””??

Give examplesGive examples. .

FeudalismFeudalismOrare:

those who pray

Labore: Those who

work

Pugnare: Those who fight

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