Canterbury Tales

Knight

A character more interested in chivalry than appearance, holy man, a distinguished an honorable soldier.

The rioters try to keep the pledge - they seek Death out when they encounter the old man, but they get greedy and forget their initial pledge.

Do the rioters try to keep their pledge? Explain.

Archetypal Narrative Elements

Elements used in story telling around the world examples- hero who triumphs evil, mysterious guide that points out the way, wise ruler etc.

Monk

Enjoys hunting-doesn't follow Church rules, likes to have fun, eat well, and wear nice clothes. Cares about himself more than for others, values material things, represents Church corruption

Cook

Excellent at job, questionable ingredients, makes dish with cream sauce & has an ulcer on his knee that oozes pus...

Nun/Prioress

Excessively dainty, attached to worldly things & keeps small pets & jewelry-against Church rules, beautiful for the time speaks French poorly & sings, cares for animals

It proves greed is the root of all evil because when the rioters found the coins it moved them to murder and other sins.

Explain how the allegory of "The Pardoner's Tale" proves that greed is the root of all evil

The Pardoner sells indulgences, so the lesson about the bad effects of greed might also open pockets of those who want forgiveness for past offenses. The old man's presence shows that no one knows when death might happen. Therefore, forsaking greed and seeking pardon for sins is a wise idea.

Explain the way in which the old man's presence in the tale benefits the Pardoner and motivates his listeners toward a more wholesome existence.

Merchant

Good person, claimed to have never lost anything but is in debt, contradiction shows true character

29

How many pilgrims are there?

The rioter lies about why he needs the poison; in a sense, he does use the poison to kill "rats".

In what sense is the youngest rioter lying when he says he needs the poison for rats? In what sense is he telling the truth?

Friar

Jolly, associates with rich to gain profit rather than the poor to help them, expert beggar, represents Church corruption, grants pardons for gifts

Reeve

Manages accounts & deceitfully takes more than he should, good at fooling people, untrustworthy

Allegories

Narratives with a literal and symbolic meaning

The gold under the tree will lead to the deaths of thee three rioters, so in a sense, death is under the tree.

The old man has said that death is under the tree. In what sense is his statement accurate?

Plowman

Perfect example of secular life, pays tithes in full, good honest worker, works for others without pay

Parson

Perfect example of religious leader, poor as he should be & gives up his income for the poor

Wife of Bath

Seamstress, serial widower, lusty & proud woman, good at marrying & giving relationship advice

Pardoner

Sells pardons but keeps money, selfish, greedy & dishonest, represents Church corruption

Point of the story is true, even though the Pardoner uses it for the wrong reasons. Or that it is dulled by hypocrisy.

The Pardoner is quite open about the manipulative use to which he puts the tale. Do the Pardoner's reasons for telling the story detract from its moral truth? Explain.

Cleric

Very poor but doesn't mind, desires to know more & enjoys sharing knowledge, borrows money from friends to buy books & prays for them

The rioters find gold florins under the tree.

What do the rioters find under the tree?

Each person will tell 2 stories going to the shrine and 2 coming back

What is the contest the host creates?

A feast at the inn, paid for by the other pilgrims

What is the winner of the contest to receive?

He symbolizes death as a blessing. Few would want eternal life without eternal youth.

What might the old man symbolize?

They pledge to stick together as brothers and kill Death

What pledge do the rioters make to one another?

Chaucer might want to show how depraved the truly greedy are, that they can profit from pointing out other people's greed.

What point might Chaucer be making about moral tales by assigning the Pardoner's Tale to the Pardoner, who is a rogue?

The young rioter says he has problems with rats and a pole cat he wants to kill.

What reason does the young rioter give the apothecary for needing the poison?

The old man sets the action in motion.

What role does the old man perform in the story?

They are troublemakers - they are drinking before nine in the morning, and are generally dissolute.

What sort of people are the rioters? Explain how you know.

The rioters are drinking. A coffin passing by captures their attention.

When the story opens, what are the rioters doing, and what captures their attention?

Canterbury, to the shrine of St. Thomas Beckett

Where are the pilgrims going?

It is ironic that the Pardoner tells this story because he is open about his own greed.

Why is it ironic that the Pardoner tells this story?

No

Will Chaucer edit anything the pilgrims say in their stories to make it more appropriate, less rude etc.?

Squire

Young and boyish, more concerned with love over war (experienced war) Knight's son, concerned with his appearance