Canterbury Tales Prologue

KNIGHT: List the words describing the Knight

- Distinguished - truth - chivalry - honor - generousness - courtesy - noble - christian - modest - wise - perfect

Each pilgrim was to tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and ________ stories on the way home.

2

Chaucer completed ______ stories before he died.

24

who is involved?

29 pilgrims

Geoffrey Chaucer proposed to write ______ stories.

30

KNIGHT: What does the Squire have in common with most young men?

Average height, aigle, strong, he was also a bachelor. (line 85 and 86)

SQUIRE: What are his chief accomplishments?

Beauty and Wealth

COOK: The Cook's masterpiece dish is his "blancmange" which is white sauce. How does Chaucer make this dish seem unappetizing?

By pointing out the cooks ulcer as he is preparing this "masterpiece". (Line 396)

SKIPPER: How is Chaucer ironic when he describes, "He sent his prisoners home; they walked the plank"

By sending his prisoners home (possibly meaning the afterlife, as Heaven is often seen as the "true home" of Christians) via killing them at sea.

What physical features does Chaucer describe? What does the monk's appearance reveal about his habits?

Chaucer describes the monk as a bald, fat, greasy man, with eyes that roll around in his head. This description reveals that this man is no ordinary monk; he enjoys many things that most monks do not.

MONK: Chaucer seems to agree with the Monk's attitudes toward the rules of monastic life when he says that the Monk's "views were sound." What evidence is there to indicate that Chaucer does not, in fact agree with the Monk?

Chaucer does not like the clergy very much, so it's fitting that he does not like the monk he is describing. Chaucer expresses his dislike of the monk by describing his appearance; the monk is dressed in lavish furs and owns many horses and greyhounds, while keeping them healthy. Monks do not typically have many lavish furs and good horses; as they are devoted to serving God. (Line 170)

SKIPPER: What admirable qualities does Chaucer include?

Chaucer points out how well-traveled the Skipper is, saying that "...[The Skipper] knew all the havens as they were from Gottland to the Cape of Finisterre, and every creek in Brittany and Spain" (Lines 417-419). Chaucer also brags on his skills at sea and his tough nature, stating that "as for his skill in reckoning his tides, moons, harbors, pilots, he had such dispatch that none from Hull to Carthage was his match. Hardy he was, prudent in his undertaking" (Lines 411-415)

MILLER: How does Chaucer use animal imagery to characterize the Miller?

Chaucer was using animal imagery to talk about the Miller's beard. It had the redness of a fox, a fox can be a thief and they are sneaky. The Miller is a thief, and he has to be sneaky to get away with cheating his customers the way that he has.

HOST: What suggestions does he make to the assembled pilgrims?

Declares some proof that the gifts of nature and fortune is death, he's mainly just questioning, he causes and fixes problems with the pilgrims

Chaucer ironically states in line 222 that the Friar makes a "decent living." Why is this statement ironic?

Friar's are usually beggars who have little, such as "A Limiter." Line 213

DOCTOR: What evidence is there that he lacks spiritual nourishment?

"He did not read the bible very much" ( line 448)

Refer to lines 230-240, what does the Friar keep in his tippet? Why?

"He kept his tippet stuffed with pins for curls, / and pocket knives to give pretty girls." Lines 237-238

SUMMONER: List the Summoner's physical features.

"His face was on fire, covered in blisters, like a cherubin. He had carbuncles, his eyes were narrow, he was as hot as a sparrow".

HOST: List words to describe the Host's physical appearance?

"Jolly fellow, with piercing eyes"

SUMMONER: How do the Summoner's actions reveal his character?

"Then he would shout and jabber as if crazy, /And wouldn't speak a word except in Latin/When he was drunk..." (640-643). His actions revealed mor​e of a hostile attitude, his actions tended to show some true colors. The way he talks while angry also showed some of his backgroun​d

SUMMONER: What evidence can you provide that shows that the Summoner is open to bribery?

He gets all kind of blackmail on people so if he can get something out of them for "keeping quiet" then he gets something that he wants out of it.

DOCTOR: How is the Doctor's diet described? What does this say about his character?

He had a very healthy diet, The Doctor is very wealthy and well educated.

HOST: What is Chaucer's attitude toward the Host?

He has a angry attitude towards not just the host but others because of the stories of death and tragedies, he tends to take them very seriously.

FRANKLIN: Why is he so preoccupied with lavish living?

He is preoccupied with good food and wine

DOCTOR: What is the Doctor's opinion of gold? How does this opinion characterize him?

He loves gold a lot, it makes him greedy and care about money more than caring about his patients.

SUMMONER: How does Chaucer satirize the ecclesiastical profession by saying, "He was a noble varlet and a kind one,/You'd meet none better if you went to find one" (651-652).

He paints a picture of certain stereotypes that causes the readers to feel a certain way about the characters

MILLER: How do the Miller's physical characteristics reveal his moral fiber?

He was a big strong man, but he was a bully and he liked taking advantage of people.

THE PARSON: How is the Parson both poor and rich (paradox)?

He was poor but rich in the holy thought and work.

SUMMONER: What evidence can you provide that shows that the Summoner practiced blackmail?

He was very good at it, definitely had some experience with using other people's sins against them

MANCIPLE: How does Chaucer reveal the Manciple as superior to his peers?

He was well off financially. Would not be in the same class as the merchants. He was not at the bottom of social class but not above the kings, nobles, or the clergy men. He also had the knowledge of more than 30 lawyers. He was also noted to be worthy of respect.

MILLER: How does the Miller cheat his customers?

He would gauge grain, and he would steal it from his customers and then sell it for more than it was worth.

The Friar's duties include hearing confessions and providing absolution. How does he turn this practice to his advantage?

He would give "absolution, for a gift" Line 226

FRIAR: What does Chaucer imply in lines 216-217 where he says the Friar "fixed up many a marriage, giving each/Of his young women what he could afford her"?

He would use his words to fix up a marriage with his "well turned speech" Line 215

WIFE OF BATH: What is significant about the Wife's red hose and red face? What does red symbolize

Her red hose and face symbolizes her lusty nature.

SQUIRE: Which of Chaucer's details illustrate his vanity?

His clothes were covered in red and white flowers. (Line 91 and 92)

FRANKLIN: Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who taught that happiness is the goal of life. St. Julian was a saint known for hospitality. How does Chaucer use these allusions to characterize the Franklin?

His religions is wine women and song. His goal in life is to be happy characterization. He always has people in his house.

THE PARSON: What is the significance of the question, "if gold rust, what then will iron do?"

His symbol; rust would be to sin

MERCHANT: Why does Chaucer think it necessary to comment on the fact that he does not know the Merchant's name?

In line 293 it says "He was an excellent fellow all the same". It looks like they did not really care what his name was, they liked him the same not knowing his name.

FRANKLIN: What sort of humor does Chaucer employ in describing the Franklin?

Irony; he is a fancy peasant

SERGEANT AT THE LAW: Five lines into the description, Chaucer says, "Or so he seemed." How does this phrase change the meaning of the preceding lines?

It adds a question in the mind of the reader; "is everything the author just said true?"

REEVE: What evidence is there that the Reeve skims money from the estate's funds?

It is weird that he has a lot of money and no one can explain it.

KNIGHT: what words or phrases reveal Chaucer's opinion of the Knight?

Line 71: "...And in his bearing modest as a maid."

FRIAR: What evidence is there to show that Chaucer is doing more than simply describing the Monk and the Friar?

Lines 250 - 255, Chaucer describes the personality and actions of the Friar, which he could not have know without being told.

OXFORD CLERIC: What life station is the cleric preparing for?

Lines 296: Logic and philosophy

OXFORD CLERIC: What is suggested by the details of his dress and by the description of his horse?

Lines 297-300: He is poor and does not have much food to feed him and his horse.

OXFORD CLERIC: What is so extraordinary about the Cleric having twenty books?

Lines 304: Most Clerics would have spent the money on expensive clothes or musical instruments.

OXFORD CLERIC: What does the last line reveal about the Cleric?

Lines 317-318: He is morally right and loves to teach people and share his learnings

THE PARSON: Provide evidence of the Parson's generosity.

Lines 496-499 "He hated cursing to extort a fee, Nay rather he preferred beyond a doubt giving to the poor parishioners roundabout both from church offerings and his property;"

KNIGHT: With what abstract qualities is the Knight associated?

Lines 69, 71, 76: Gaily, sovereign Value, Modest

KNIGHT: How does Chaucer portray the Knight's humility?

Lines 79 - 80: The story states that The Knight was there to give thanks just like everyone else.

SUMMONER: What is the Summoner's job?

Medieval church hires to call people before the ecclesiastical court for crimes

What should be the answer to the question in lines 182-185, "Was he to study till his head went round/Poring over books in cloisters? Must he toil/ As Austin bade and till the very soil?/Was he to leave the world upon the shelf?

Monks should study and pray; as most monks do. This monk in particular is spending his time hunting and taking care of his horses.

WIFE OF BATH: What angers the Wife regarding church attendance?

No women wanted to associate with her; when she walked up the church stairs all the other women walked away from her.

OXFORD CLERIC: What subjects does he study?

Philosophy

WIFE OF BATH: Describe the Wife's attire.

owns fine handkerchiefs, that she wore on her head on Sundays. (has about 10 pounds of them) red tights that symbolize her lusty nature and wore a dress to cover her large hips wore heels, and she dressed for attention.

WIFE OF BATH: How else does Chaucer reveal his attitude toward the Wife?

she isn't the most beautiful and she has not had a marriage that lasts. As well as she isn't liked by anyone.

WIFE OF BATH: What is the Wife of Bath's profession?

she was a seamstress; "making cloth"

WIFE OF BATH: Who else among the pilgrims has traveled as widely?

the Knight

PRIORESS (NUN): On line 137, what does Chaucer mean by "counterfeit a courtly kind of grace"?

the nun is someone who tries to be worldly, she tries to fit in and be liked by the people. It says she is "straining to counterfeit a courtly kind of Grace." She is trying too hard to be what she's not.

PRIORESS (NUN): How does the nun's jewelry enhance Chaucer's description?

She is already opposite of what a nun should be and of her description, Chaucer is making her character wear beads and coral trinkets when she should be wearing a crucifix. She is wearing a brooch that says "love conquers all." when she shouldn't be concerned with romance. And she doesn't refer to God. I think Chaucer is using her appearance to build on the irony and her appearance.

PRIORESS (NUN): What is strange about the nun's behavior toward animals

She was concerned or troubled about the things that are normal- a mouse in a mouse-trap, or a dog being corrected. She is troubled by the things that are the normal.

REEVE: What specific details indicate that the description of the Reeve is based on an actual individual?

Sickly skinny, has hair cut close to his ears, wears a cloak like a friar would wear. And wears the color blue which is a sign of financial success. (Lines 603- 609)

The Pilgrims' destination is Canterbury, the shrine of ___________.

St. Thomas Becket.

SQUIRE: "Courteous he was, lowly and serviceable, /And carved to serve his father at the table." (95-96). What do these satirical lines reveal about the Squire and about Chaucer's opinion of him?

That the Squire may have been his son, but he still serves Knight aka Dad as a king.

OXFORD CLERIC: Compare the cleric to another member of the pilgrimage.

The Cleric, like the knight, is morally right. Their dress is also measly though the knight dresses this way by choice.

Chaucer suggests that it is beneath the eminence of the Friar to deal with the "scum/Of wretched lepers..." (242-243). How is this ironic?

The Friar himself is suppose to be a beggar, relying upon other peoples goodwill much like a lepers. Lines 246

MANCIPLE: What does the Manciple do?

The Manciple works in the "inner temple" He buys food, clothing, and other products for lawyers. extremely

MERCHANT: Describe the Merchant's apparel. What does his dress reveal about his character?

The Merchant had a forked beard, dressed in a colored dress, boots, and he sat high on his horse. It means that the Merchant cared about his appearance, wanted to put on a good front.

THE PARSON: In what way can the Parson be compared with the Monk and the Friar? Contrasted? Are they foil characters?

The Parson is religious who actually fulfilling his vows and obligation. He provides a point of comparison for religious figures like the Monk and Friar who are not. As the Parson lives the obligatory life of poverty, the Monk and Friar are living the high life. As the Parson gives to the poor out of his own meager salary, the Friar takes the last penny from a poor window. The parson pays careful attention to the words of the gospel, applying them to his own life; the Monk disregards the words of religious authorities, declaring those text worthless to him. Yes, they are foil.

PLOWMAN: Might the Plowman be called an ideal Christian layman?

The Plowman can be called the ideal Christian layman, as "he was an honest worker, good and true, living in peace and perfect charity, and, as the gospel bade him, so did he, loving God best with all his heart and mind..."

SKIPPER: Is the Skipper a good equestrian?

The Skipper was a fine equestrian, as "he rode a farmer's horse as best he could" (Line 400)

YEOMAN: The Yeoman wears a medal of St. Christopher. Why is this appropriate?

The Yeoman wears a medal of St. Christopher. Why is this appropriate?

YEOMAN: What does the Yeoman's maintenance of his weapons reveal about his personality?

The Yeoman's weapons were well maintained, revealing that he is experienced with weapons, and he takes his job seriously. Lines 114 - 116

MILLER: The simile in line 561 compares the Miller's mouth to a furnace door. How is this effective characterization?

The comparison is good, a furnace can burn a person. The Miller made his living by burning people.

PRIORESS (NUN): Identify the satire in Chaucer's description of the Prioress.

The description of the prioress is ironic, the prioress's name is Madam Eglantyne. Because Mary is the embodiment of love and mercy... The irony is that she does not possess any of these qualities.

REEVE: How would this help to explain the traditional rivalry between millers and reeves?

The miller's tale is about a carpenter which Reeves gets mad at.

How is the monk's wardrobe unsuited to his station in life?

The monk's wardrobe is very unusual, given his lifestyle. Because of his lifestyle, the monk should dress accordingly. Instead, he dresses in lavish and probably expensive furs and other clothes that are not fitting for a monk to wear.

PRIORESS (NUN): How does Chaucer use the name Madame Eglantyne to enhance his description of the Prioress?

The nun's name Madame Eglantyne, symbolizing The Virgin Mary or a flower. He uses this to create the satire and irony about her character and description.

On line 194, Chaucer describes the monk's pin, "a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin;/Into a lover's knot it seemed to pass." What other pilgrim has similar jewelry? What does the pin reveal about the monk?

The pin reveals that the monk is very wealthy; his pin would not be there if he were an average monk.

MANCIPLE: Chaucer satirizes the Manciple in lines 576-579: "Now isn't it a marvel of God's grace/That an illiterate fellow can outpace/The wisdom of a heap of learned men? What is the poet noting about the Manciple?

The poet is noting that the manciple was a wise man, he was described as being "smarter than 30 lawyers combined."

DOCTOR: On what does the doctor base his diagnoses?

The positions of the stars and planets.

OXFORD CLERIC: How is the description that the Cleric has a "hollow look, a sober stare..." (294) stereotyping?

The smart one has no humor or pleasantness about him.

THE PARSON: Explain the sheep metaphor on lines 501-502, "The true example that a priest should give/Is one of cleanness, how the sheep should live." Who is the "wolf" in line 511?

The wolf is the devil. The devil is to there to make them have temptation to make them sin.

PLOWMAN: The Plowman is represented as the brother of the Parson. Should this be taken figuratively or literally?

This is to be taken figuratively, as the plowman is humble and godly like the Parson, and the Plowman is also a member of the church

YEOMAN: What is the Yeoman's job?

To attend, and protect the Nobleman and the party. Lines 103 - 104

WIFE OF BATH: Since the church discouraged remarriage, of what significance is the fact that the Wife has been married five times?

To demonstrate a confident character who is breaking the rules for what she believes in and represents a woman who is not living up to the "Christian Rule" of that time

REEVE: The Reeve rides at the end of the pilgrims' line. Why?

To make it more dramatic and to show how mad he is.

SERGEANT AT THE LAW: What are the Sergeant at the Law's duties?

To serve as a judge; after being appointed by the King.

MERCHANT: Is the Merchant concerned with social stature?

Yes, he told everyone he was rich and bragged about how much money he had made while in truth he was in debt

FRANKLIN: Considering the Franklin's philosophy of fine living, is it surprising that he attends this pilgrimage?

Yes, it's surprising that he attended the pilgrimage because he is so use to having everything fancy high class and he just goes to the pilgrimage where he has nothing

Was the Friar "a noble pillar of his Order"?

Yes. Line 218

SERGEANT AT THE LAW: Do the Sergeant's wisdom and his materialism jive? What does Chaucer reveal through this contrast?

Yes; this makes the Sergeant a very well-rounded man.

Irony

a contrast or incongruity between what is stated and what is really meant, or between what is expected to happen and what really happens.

Satire

a kind of writing that holds up to ridicule or contempt the weaknesses and wrongdoings of individuals, groups, institutions, or humanity in general.

REEVE: What ironic touch is there in line 606: "No one had ever caught him in arrears"?

knowing everything there is to know about the lands he owns, so none of the renters try to lie or cheat him but ironically Reeve is a lier himself.

WIFE OF BATH: Is there any evidence to show that the Wife's earlier pilgrimages were not entirely of a religious nature?

looks for men on her travels so she travels for pleasure and lust.