General Prologue of the Cantebury Tales
Is the Merchant "a worthy man withal"? What are his virtues? What kinds of characteristics does the narrator notice about him?
Chaucer explains that the Merchant openly tells his opinions/pursuits, is an expert in dabling exchanges, no one knew his name, and he was in debt but no one knew. The Merchant's virtues were to be out of debt (being in debt was a sign of weak morals). Ironically, Chaucer describes the merchant as being "a worthy man withal," and although he may be acting as if he is living a prosperous life in reality, he is unhappily married, and is in debt in loans, negotiations and bargains, he is determined to get out of debt and make money.
Why is the Franklin going on the pilgrimage? The narrator seems impressed that "It snowed in his house of mete and drink" what do you think?
Franklin, lived for pleasure, sensual delight (true felicity), was an alcoholic, had lots of drink and food, and enjoyed cooking. Franklin goes on the pilgrimage to show his people that his house is so well stocked with food and fine wines that it seems to "snow mete and drink". Although the narrator seems impressed that "[i]t snowed [in Franklin's] house of mete and drink" I believe that as a member of the expanding rich middle class, the Franklin felt as though he needed to display his wealth and hospitality as a sign of his superior social status.
How does the mention of the Cook's "normal" affect your desire to taste his "black manger" ?
He boiled chicken with a marrowbone and pies, he made tasty food and had an ulcer on his knee but made the best of it. Even though the Cook may have a passion for cooking and his food is good, I would not trust the Cook to make my food since he has an ulcer (not sanitary).
Look at the first 18 lines. Paraphrase their literal meaning in simple, modern English. What other impressions do you get as you hear the lines — beside the information that it's spring and people want to go on pilgrimages?
In the first eighteen lines of Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury Tale, he explains the significance of of the spring months and what they symbolize in contrast to the pilgrimage taking place. Chaucer explains that in April, it is rainy (the rain moisturizes the plants from the dryness of March), it is sunny, the west winds emerge (zephyrus), animals come out from hibernation, and describes April as peaceful when birds are chirping, and people go on pilgrimages. Initially, people from all over England are coming out of hibernation from the frigid winter months and going on pilgrimages to Canterbury to pay their respects to their holy blissful martyr who faced suffering to help them when they were ill and weak (want to see his tomb). Furthermore, Chaucer explains March as being very dry and causing droughts. In the first eighteen lines of the Prologue Chaucer includes, personification, and the ending sentences of each stanza and the first words of each stanza rhyme. The rhyming of lines in each stanza provides a sort of unity which coincides with the unity of the people going on the pilgrimage who are coming together to make the journey to Canterbury. Initially, Chaucer explains a sense of unity, peace, goals, determination and the importance of timing (patience).
What is the Reeve's relation to his master? What does the narrator think of this?
The Reeve is the manager of the Lord's farm and accounts for the number of cattle his master had. He was a very skilled and smart man and the people who were beneath him feared him and think he has a bad temper/corrupt. The Reve lived on his owner's property, grew rich, lived pleasurably, pleasured his lord with loans or gifts of goods to earn his thanks and even coats and hoods. The narrator thinks that Reeve is sly who outsmarts his masters and is better than his lord at some things and has become very rich.
What is the Plowman like: what are his values? What does he look like? Why is he going on the pilgrimage?
Parson's brother, cuts his way through a load of dung and morning dew, lives in peace and perfect charity, lived according to the gospel, loved god with all of his heart and mind,never slacked, steady throughout his work, hard working, thrashed corn and maure, made ditches, helped the poor, loved Christ, never took a penny and paid his tithes in full. The Plowman dressed in a tabard smock and rode a mare.The Plowman is just as holy and virtuous as his brother, the Parson. Living a simple life of hard labor, the Plowman has to do the dirtiest jobs of the medieval world, like load carts full of cow manure. Yet he never complains, for his labor is work he must do both for his fellow Christians and for Christ. Although he has a difficult job he does not complain and is thankful to god for having a job yet lives a simple life. He goes on the pilgrimage to save other christian from their sins and motivates others that life is good and is what you make of it.
What do you think of the Parson? What do you make of his maxim, "if gold rust, what shal iren do"? Find the other times gold appears among the descriptions of the pilgrims (Prioress, Monk, and Doctor) and compare its role.
Parsons is holy-minded, good renown, poor, rich in holy thought and work, devout to the parishioners, beginning and wonderfully delight, patient, and had a wide parish. Parson's maxim, "if gold rusts, what shal iren do" explaining that gold symbolizes purity, love, authenticity, legitimacy, faithfulness while iron relates to something lesser (common people). Also, Parson explains that priests must live holy lives and even that is sometimes hard, nevermind other people who he feels are already corrupt/no hope. Initially, the Parson explains that he is loyal to his parish and wants to set a good example for them but wants that loyalty in return, the promise that they will also live holy lives. Other examples of the symbolism of gold is when the Prioress wore a gold brooch (wealth, aristocracy), the Doctor hoard of gold (is obsessed with gold, the gold makes him selfish to want to keep working even though he is also sick) and the Monk who wore a gold pin (his riches/materialistic objects).similarly, each of these characters are corrupted by the gold and enjoy the thought of aristocracy, each of these characters are consumed by the thought of materialistic wealth.
Is the Clerk as full of "moral virtue" as his speech? What details does the narrator single out besides his devotion to his calling?
The Clerk, poor, modest, intelligent, learned logic, had a thin horse, a sober stare, no preferment in the church, unworldly to make search for secular employment, read Aristotle's philosophy, did not care for costly clothes, used the money he got from his friends to learn rather than buy it for materialistic things with it, and respectful. Yes, the Clerk is full of "moral virtue" when he speaks because he is formal, short, to the point, lofty to his theme and was willing to teach others though his words. The narrator tells the readers that the Clerk wishes to be rich with knowledge rather than money/materialistic objects. Unlike many characters within the Canterbury Tales, the narrator explains that the Clerk is diligent and never proud, meaning that is a good and intelligent man who is not obsessed with wealth to provide himself with nice outfits but uses the money to inform himself and others about knowledge..
How does the Shipman make his living? Can you find any evidence in the narrator's description that he is not "a good fellow"?
The Shipman's job is to calculate the tides, navigate the stars and tot safely guide the ship to and from the harbor. Although he is not a genuinely good person, and ignores the rules of conscience, won many battles/conflicts and is feared by many. Initially, if one gets into a fight with him people are determined that he will kill them and send them to the afterlife.
What do the last group of pilgrims (Reeve, Miller, Summoner, Pardoner, and Manciple: 514-16) have in common?
The Reeve is a manager of an estate/farm, and a carpenter. The Miller, is a large, brawny man known for his prowess as a wrestler (uncouth, and obscene). The Summoner, a church a official that called people before the ecclesiastical court for their spiritual crimes, like adultery or heresy, the punishment for which can be excommunication. The Summoner sold pardons and showed off fake relics and profited significantly from his profession. Lastly, the Manciple though clever and charismatic is illiterate, yet does not have this affect his position and works with a group of 30 lawyers, all of whom he extorts money from. Each of the characters values the church and are placed in low social standing according to Chaucer, who describes them as the bottom of humanity because they use the church to personally profit and they each find ways to make money.
What do you think about the "wanton," "merry" Friar? Why was he "an easy man to give penance"? Why did he keep "knives / And pennies to given faire wives"? What does the narrator admire about the Friar? What evidence does he give that "There was no man nowhere so virtuous" as the Friar? Do you agree with the narrator's assessment? Why or why not?
The Friar is described as festive, mellow, glib with gallant phrase, a good orator, gives arranged marriages, serves as mediator, courteous, settled disputes, beloved by country folk, honored possessions, heard confessions, had a special license from the pope, an easy man in penance-giving, hoped to make a decent living,kept pocket knives to five to pretty girls, sang, nd is strong.The narrator thinks the Friar should have a better job than working with lepers and slums, and thinks he does not get paid enough for the jobs he does. Overall, Chaucer has nothing very favorable to say about either the Monk or the Friar, thus has a poor attitude toward them, and criticises how they live. When describing both the Friar and the Monk, Chaucer uses satire, and irony to show how both characters are materialistic yet preach under the name of God. The Friar, Hubert, is corrupt and though his occupation is to listen to confessions he uses his ability to provide forgiveness to solicit gifts; making him virtuous. Although the narrator uses satire and irony to describe the Friar I disagree that he was the most virtuous of the pilgrims because even if he were poor and living a truthful life to God, that would make him virtuous than he is now ( being corrupt does not make him virtuous, it makes him a sinner). Initially, Chaucer uses satire, not only to describe the wrongdoings/ corruption of the clergy members but of the Church as well showing that the clergy used their positions for personal gain. Correspondingly, Chaucer explains that the Friar listened and forgave the rich in exchange for gifts/riches while he ignored the poor since they had nothing to give. Also, the Friar dressed accordingly depending on his audience (for the poor he dressed in threadbare robes but for the rich he dressed n clothing fit for the pope). Chaucer illustrates that the Friar's cape was full of pins and daggers, highlighting his hypocrisy to the Church as well as to himself.the friar is not. The Friar gave knives and pins to faire wives (young girls) because he seduced women, fixed up many a marriage to get a source of income and gives them knives and pins as reward for the favor they had given him.The Friar was also able to solicit donation from widows who would give away their last pennies to him, saving the money and living a life of luxury. Initially the more money a penitent donate to the Friar, the easier it was for him to give away the Church's forgiveness. Overall, I agree with the narrator's assessment of the Friar, that he is corrupt and materialistic.
Why does the narrator admire the Manciple? How does he make money?
The Manciple bought victuals, was never rash, trustworthy, sincere, and illiterate yet bestowed so much wisdom in legal knowledge. The Manciple's job was to watch the market and purchase food for a group of lawyers. Although he is illiterate, he is able to bargain shop and spend less on the food than what the lawyers have paid him (although he is illiterate and may seem easily oppressed he is ly and buys food for the lawyers with the least amount of money while he pockets the rest of their money to make a living).
Compare the Clerk and his values and way of life with the pilgrims described near him — the Merchant, Sergeant at Law, and Franklin.
The Merchant from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is a shrewd and opinionated individual, takes great care in his appearance with the intent of having others think of him as successful. The Clerk, though poor, did not care for money/riches but of philosophy and books. The Sergeant at Law is well-respected yet pretends he is busier than he really is. Lastly, the Franklin, although a noble landowner rather than host events for people to eat, goes on the pilgrimage to boast about his wealth and how much food and wine he has. Even the Clerk although he uses his friends money to become intelligent, each of the characters that go on the pilgrimage boast about their knowledge, career, wealth, ideas, hobbies and pretend they are in a higher social class/more important than everyone else and pretend they different from who they really are.
How does the Miller's physical description give us clues about his character? How does he make his living?
The Miller works in the grain mill and is described as having strength, responsibility, stout, big in brawn and bone, could win against a ram in a wrestling match, broad, knotty, short-shouldered, musculur, has a long red beard, a wort on his nose (scary, intimidating looking), and wrestles the mill to make a living.
What is the Wife of Bath like? What do make of someone who has had five husbands, not counting "other compaignye" before she was married? Why is she going on the pilgrimage?
The Wife of Bath is deaf, a worthy woman, put out of charity, had been to Jerusalem three times, traveled to Rome and Boulogne, accepts her condemnation of celibacy, was married five times. The story of the Wife of Bath tells the readers that the thing women most desire is complete authority over their husbands (power). Initially, the Wife of Bath is going on the pilgrimage because she likes to journey, is a social climber, and a mid narcissist. I think that someone who was married five times, is searching for wealth, power, are selfish and superficial and are not happy with anything.
How does it affect you opinion of the Doctor of Physic to hear that "He kept that he was in pestilence"? The last thing we hear about him is that "he loved gold." Why, according to the narrator, does the doctor love gold so much?
The doctor was well spoken on points of medicine, surgery, and astronomy, cared for his patients, wanted to help others, understood of his patients, had apothocarys bring drugs to his patients, was friendly, and had no superfluities for pleasure. Although doctors are supposed to be humble and help others he has an obsession with gold which he believed stimulated the heart (the doctors hoards the gold and becomes selfish). Although doctors make a lot of money, he too had expenses because he was also ill with pestilence. I find it ironic that the doctor is sick since he was trying to help other people get better. Although the doctor is ill, he continues to help his patients anyway in exchange for more gold.
What does the narrator first notice about the Monk? What other details does he notice (compare the descriptions of the other pilgrims)? What does the narrator think about the Monk's hunting and jewelry? What are the culminating details of the narrator's description? What impression do you have of the Monk?
The monk is described as having expensive horses,materialistic, loves hunting and riding, bald, not a lover, rebellious, ignorant (ignores rules) finely dressed, and wears fur-trimmed robes. The narrator has a low opinion of the Monk because while he vowed to serving God and helping other people, he is obsessed with personal image and materialistic pass-times. I think the monk is not a true servant of God and while monks vow to live in chastity, obedience and poverty he dresses in furs, hunts, and rides expensive horses (materialistic hobbies) and is not truthful to his occupation and his religion. Although monks were placed at the bottom of the feudal system, showing that the monk is not true to his occupation (shows-off).
Why does the narrator describe the Knight first? What kinds of details does the narrator notice — physical appearance, values, and so on? How does he know what he reports? What do you think of the Knight?
The narrator describes the Knight first because he was the most distinguished/highest nobility compared to the other people on the pilgrimage and classifies the pilgrims in order of the feudal system; in which the knight protected the king, was highly respected and whom other people worked for. The narrator describes the Knight as a loyal man who followed the rules of chivalry, is truthful, honorable (honored noble graces), generous, courteous, brave (served in battle in Alexandria, Prussia, Lithuania, Russia, Granada, North Africa, and Anatolia), held one of the highest ranking within the class of the Knights, strong fighter, modest, and described as the most perfect knight. The Knight was described as possessing fine horses, not gaily dressed (modest) but wore a thick tunic and armor. The Knight valued chivalry, served his country (patriotism/pride, his duty), and values family (allows his son to come on this adventure/ journey). The narrator knows what he reports because he on the pilgrimage with the Knight and compared to the other pilgrims on the journey observes the Knight as being the most poised, honorable and polite and has proficient manners. I think the Knight is honorable because he follows the rules of chivalry, fought in various crusades, holds high nobility and shows that even he has flaws (his armor was not perfectly managed) and he too is going on the pilgrimage.The narrator classifies people based on their profession, manners and apparel.
How does the narrator feel about the Prioress? What details does he notice (for example, see how often her table — and other — manners come up; compare the Knight)? What does the narrator think about her tendency to weep over dead mice? What do you think? What do you make of the motto on her broach?
The narrator is impressed by the manners and politeness of the Prioress (Nun). The Prioress is described as smiling, coy, modest, French- speaking, seems dignified, graceful, friendly, pleasant, and charitably solicitous. In great description, the narrator describes the dinner-table manners of the Prioress as being impressive and well mannered in which, no food fell from her mouth, she did not dip her fingers in sauce, and she wiped her upper lip. Both the Prioress and the Knight are described as well-mannered and polite. The narrator describes the Prioress as tender hearted, fragile, feeble and emotional at the sight of dead/injured mice and other animals (a sense of pureness and goodness). The narrator describes the Prioress as weeping at the sight of injured mice that were caught in traps as being honorable, a sweet sentiment and describes her as dignified yet describes her actions as her trying so hard to be the person she wishes to be rather than the true person she is. I believe that the Nun wishes to show the other pilgrims how people should act, but I also agree with Chaucer that even for he,r it is a struggle for her to remain true to her actions. Although the Prioress wore a long cloak, and a set of Rosary beads she also wore a gold brooch that had the initial "A" on it which stands for Amor vincit omnia (Love Conquers All). I believe this gold brooch while explaining the motto that in order to overcome a struggle, everyone must be united and work together, the gold brooch also serves as a symbol of aristocracy (materialistic wealth).
What is the narrator's estimate of the Sergeant at Law? What do you make of the comment that "he seemed busier than he was"?
The narrator's estimate of the Sergeant at Law is that he is wary, wise,discreet, earned many jobs and fees for schooling, retained a lot of information, enjoyed learning, and is a well respected person. The comment that the Sergeant "seemed busier than he was" explains that he did not have enough clients to work for and that he spent his time learning more than doing his occupation.
When does the pilgrimage take place? Why is this significant? How does Chaucer describe the motive (or motives) of the pilgrims?
The pilgrimage takes place in April (the spring), just as the weather begins to get sunnier and warmer. Chaucer explains that while the plants begin to sprout, grow and recover from the droughts of March, the people are preparing to go on their pilgrimage to Canterbury and are recovering from the frigid winter. Chaucer describes the motives of the pilgrims as being strong and determined to make their journey to Canterbury. The pilgrims are making their way towards Canterbury for "religious purposes" and are paying their homage to the blessed martyr of Thomas Becket (the Archbishop of Canterbury who was killed by four of Henry II's knights for being a defender of the church and the rights of clergymen).
How does the Squire differ from the Knight? What motivates him to go on the pilgrimage? (Compare his father.) What does the narrator notice about him?
The squire differs from the Knight because he is younger, loves cadet, agile, strong, witnessed some service within the cavalry in Flanders, Artois and Picardy, wishes to win his lady's grace, wears bright colors, more rambunctious than his father (does not have the same manners as his father, who is more poised), knows how to ride a horse, sings, recites poems, dances, draws, writes, is courteous, and serves his father at the table. Compared to his father, the Squire still has much to learn before becoming a knight (is the apprentice of his father who is a knight). The Squire is motivated to go on this pilgrimage of prove himself as a brave squire worthy of becoming a knight, and wants to prove himself to his lady's grace. Initially, the narrator observes that the Squire is accompanying his father on this journey, is learning from his father and is less experienced than his father (polite but more playful, youthful). The Knight and the Squire are the pilgrims with the highest social status on this pilgrimage. While Chaucer explains that the squire is a good fighter, is polite (serves his father at the table) and is accompanying his father on the journey, he describes the Knight as the noblest of the pilgrims, embodying military prowess, loyalty, honor, generosity, and good manners.
Why does Chaucer save the Summoner and the Pardoner for last? Note their relation to the Church, their respective forms of sexuality, their personalities. Which one seems least appealing to you? Why?
The summoner is scary and old looking, drank a lot of red wine until he became dizzy and his job was to find and arrest individuals and bringing them to a judge. In this case the summoner has rage towards the Friar because although a friar is supposed to vow to chastity, poverty and obedience, he is corrupt (provides the church's forgiveness to solicit gifts). Similarly, the Pardoner sold pardons and showed off/traded fake relics of the Virgin Mary and the goblet of Saint Peter. Although the Summoner and Pardoner travel together on their journey to Canterbury, both are psychologically astute and profit significantly from their professions. Yet Chaucer places both the Summoner and the Pardoner at the very bottom of humanity because they use the Church and holy, religious objects for profit. Chaucer presents the Pardoner in a particular light, and being a religious figure, yet exposes him as the deceitful and deceptive. At the end of the Prologue, the Host, Chaucer explains that each of the pilgrims will tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back and whomever he decides told the most meaningful story will receive a paid meal by the rest of the pilgrims. The Host also declares that he will ride with the pilgrims and serve as their guide/judge at his own cost. The Host explains that if anyone disputes his judgment, that person must pay for the expenses of the pilgrimage (the host traps everyone into telling tales because he knows all of them are materialistic and do not want to spend their money). I think that the Summoner and the Pardoner's respective forms of sexuality is the least of their worries because they is disrespectful, disobedient and untruthful to themselves in relation to their jobs and their loyalty to their Church for making money off of the Church.
