Prologue of Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer
(1343-1400) He was the greatest English poet of the middle Ages. He wrote in the vernacular of the common language (English), when everyone else wrote in French or Latin
How many tales did Chaucer intend to write?
120 -- each pilgrim was to tell 4 total, 2 there and 2 back
How many tales were each Pilgrim supposed to tell?
2 on the way there and 2 on the way back
How long did the walk to Canterbury take?
3-4 days
How many pilgrims are there including Chaucer?
30
How many tales was each pilgrim supposed to tell?
4 --2 on the way, 2 on the way back
How many husbands did the Wife of Bath have?
5
Guildsmen
A Haberdasher (makes men clothing), Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, and a Tapestry Maker: all dressed alike. Guildsmen. Dressed nicely and had silver knives. They have money, which is unusual. Being treated as if they are politically important. Merging middle class. Pointing out the changes in the society.
What are the Canterbury Tales?
A collection of stories
What luxuries does the prioress possess?
A coral rosary and a gold brooch (Lines 162-164).
Who was Archbishop Thomas a Becket?
A former friend of Henry II, Archbishop Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170
Satire
A mode of writing that exposes the failing of individuals, institutions, or societies to ridicule and scorn.
Who is the narrator?
Although he is never named, Geoffrey Chaucer, who would "speak plainly and with no concealings/ and give account of all their words and dealings"
What is notable about the Franklin, and would the author place him among the 'good' pilgrims?
An elderly, wealthy landowner, and a lover of food, and probably a 'good' pilgrim, as he isn't hypocritical in his actions (middle class, possibly minor nobility)
What is an 'estates satire'?
An estates satire is a medieval style that pokes fun at professions and classes of society in order to expose their flaws
What is sergeant at law?
An expert lawyer
Is the Squire the same as his father, the Knight?
As a young man of 20, his colorful clothing and love of poetry suggests he's more interested in winning the heart of his lady than serving the Lord in battle
What do we learn of the Prioress?
Attended by the Nun, the Monk, and 3 priests, the Prioress is described with an emphasis on her worldly interests, rather than as a superior of nuns
Why is the pilgrimage an effective framework for an estates satire?
Because it allows Chaucer to bring together an array of representative types who would be unlikely to socialize in other circumstances
Where are the pilgrims going?
Canterbury
Where are they going?
Canterbury (General Prologue, Line 27)
place where Thomas Becket was murdered by knights
Canterbury Cathedral
Where and what is Canterbury?
Canterbury is a town 55 miles southeast of London, and a major destination of English pilgrims in medieval England
What type of person was she?
Charming, lively, energetic
Why might we say that the Woman from Bath (Wife of Bath) is guilty of lust?
Chaucer implies that in addition to her marriages she kept other company in her youth (had affairs)
A Parson
Chaucer is showing us a good stereotype for religious people. A good religious, clergy person. Lived humbly and poorly. When things are rough, he would take it patiently, he endured hardships. He helps the poor. He was satisfied with little. He believed if a priest cannot be good, then no one else can; he wanted to be a good example. He stayed at home and protected his people. He was a Shepard. He did not judge other people for their failings, but rather set a good example for them. He knew when to be strong and when to love. He led by example, and not just preaching.
What does Chaucer tell us about the Monk?
Chaucer tends to emphasize the worldly interests of the prosperous Monk, an avid hunter who manages the estates of the Prioress and the monastery (clergy)
What is negative about the narrator's description of the Skipper?
Chaucer's description of the Skipper turns negative when we learn that he has stolen wine, and the description then continues to paint a picture of the Skipper as amoral and vicious
How does Chaucer's description of the monk's dress show his character?
Chaucer's description of the monk makes him seem corrupt.
What is typical for Chaucer in the Cook's description?
Chaucer, not above using crude humor, notes that the dish he cooked must have lost some of its appeal once diners saw the discharge oozing from a sore on his knee
Why did they go on pilgrimages instead of traveling alone?
For companionship and protection (Introduction, page 113)
A Franklin
Franklin=owns land, but is not a noble. Was very merry. He was hospitable. Looked up to Epicurus, a Greek philosopher. He has the best food and wine. He had fresh fish and fat birds. At court sessions he was lord and master. He was in Parliament a Knight of the Shire; also a sheriff and country auditor. Good host and happy.
How many pilgrims were there?
"Some nine and twenty in a company" =29 not counting Chaucer and the Host (General Prologue, Line 25)
How were their lodgings?
"The rooms and stables of the inn were wide; They made us easy, all was of the best." (General Prologue, Lines 28-29)
A Friar
Friars are supposed to help the poor, position in church. A dignified beggar. He likes dalliance (casual relationships) and sweet talk. Paid other men to marry women whose virginity he had taken. He was usually with wealthy people. He sells forgiveness. He was always at the bar. He was supposed to take care of the poor and the sick, but he didn't. It's very inappropriate for the friar to seduce women. He's very nice to the rich people, but not the poor, who he's supposed to. The narrator describes his voice as pretentious. Named Hubert. He pays off the dowry for the women he sleeps with to get married.
What was his personality like?
Friendly, agreeable, sensible
Name the author of The Canterbury Tales.
Geoffrey Chaucer
What qualities did the plowman have?
Hard-working and helped his neighbors
Why is it ironic that the merchant is an expert with currency exchange?
He cannot manage his own money
Did he behave like a monk? Give examples of why or why not.
He does not behave like a monk because he'd rather hunt than study religion. Also, he likes to eat well and wear expensive clothing.
What is Chaucer describing in the opening lines?
He explains the reason why people make pilgrimages to Canterbury. (Lines 1-20, page 115)
How do we know the parson was a generous man?
He gives to the needy people in his parish.
What was wrong with the cook?
He had an ulcer on his knee.
What does the Manciple do?
He is a buyer for 30 lawyers who are administrators of London courts, and is illiterate but "street smart"
What is Chaucer's description of the Oxford Cleric?
He is a long-term (professional) student and religious scholar--his faith seems more genuine than that of the Monk or Prioress (clergy)
What are we told about the Yeoman?
He is an "attendant" and a forester, a servant of the Knight, skilled in archery and woodcraft (peasant)
Who is the host thought to be?
He is believed to be based on a man named Harry Bailly who actually lived in Southwark during Chaucer's time.
What is noteworthy about the Doctor?
He is well-educated, a lover of gold, and prescribes medicine (middle class)--seems to have a deal with the Apothecary by which they both make money, rather than being focused on the health of their patients
What are we told about the Miller?
He owns a mill, grinds grain into meal and flour, and is a foul, hot-tempered, dishonest buffoon (middle class)
What were his plans for the Pilgrims?
He proposes the storytelling competition.
Though he seems rich, what do we find out about the Merchant?
He seems both wealthy and pompous, but is secretly in debt (middle class)
A Doctor of Medicine
He thought he could manipulate metals. He was a good doctor with beliefs in astronomy/astrology. He likes money. He was like a pharmacist.
What was the Summoner's duties?
He was a church official who was responsible for summoning the sinners before the ecclesiastical courts.
What was the social class of the CT's author
He was a commoner--part of the growing middle class
The Host
He was happy, loud, funny, and lacked no manly quality. He comes up with the idea of all of them telling stories for amusement.
A Sergeant of the Law
He was like a lawyer. Author keeps using "seems"... hmm... He knew much about the law. Seems busier than he is, owns land, but isn't a noble.
Why does Chaucer say that the physician does not read the Bible very much?
He was more concerned with reading medical texts.
How was the Parson rich?
He was rich in holy thoughts and work (line 489).
The Reeve
He was tall, thin, bad tempered, and very calculating. He was business smart and manipulative, people were scared of him. Manager of Estate. No one can trick him. He rides at the end of the line. His horse was named Scot.
Name the king who wondered who could rid him of his former friend--the meddlesome priest
Henry II
How is the Friar described?
Hubert the Friar is supposedly a religious man who has taken a vow of poverty, and is helpful to others, though Chaucer subtly suggests he has ulterior motives, seeing lepers or the homeless as scum (clergy)
What sport did the monk enjoy?
Hunting (line 170)
Where does their pilgrimage begin?
In Southwark London at the Tabard Inn (General Prologue, Line 20)
What does the skipper do that Chaucer apparently disapproves of?
In lines 408-410 say that "The nicer rules of conscience he ignored."
What is a pilgrimage?
In medieval Christianity, pilgrimages were long annual trips to holy places to express religious devotion
What is Canterbury?
It is a place in England
Pilgrimage
Journey by Pilgrims for religious reasons
Which Pilgrims did Chaucer see as good, honest people?
Knight, Clerk, Parson, Plowman, Host
How did the Plowman live?
LIne 543, "Living in peace and perfect charity..."
How do we know that the Miller is strong?
LInes 562-564, "A great stout big fellow big in brawn and bone. He did well out of them, for he could go and win the ram at any wrestling show." Line 566, "He could heave any door off hinge and post."
What did the Miller do while he played his bagpipes?
Leads the company of pilgrims out of town
What lines indicate that the merchant was boring and unsuccessful?
Line 290, "...none knew he was in debt, he was so stately in negotiation..."
Whom did the plowman love best?
Line 545, "Loving GOD best..."
What rewards did he expect from his work?
Line 551, "For love of Christ and never take a penny..."
How did the Manciple get rich?
Line 589, "He used to watch the market most precisely and go in first so he did quite nicely."
What is his handicap?
Line 592 - He is illiterate.
What kind of boss was the Reeve?
Line 623, " Feared like the plague he was..."
How did they decide who would tell the first tale?
Line 855, "The man who draws the shortest cut shall start."
Is the lawyer good at his profession? What evidence is there?
Lines 326-327 show the lawyer is good at his profession, "His fame and learning and his high position had won him many a robe and many a fee."
Describe the Summoner's intelligence.
Lines 662-663, "But had you tried to test his wits and grope fo more, you'd have found nothing in the bag." (He's dumb.)
Which sin can you connect with the fact that the Squire "sleeps as little as a nightingale."
Lust
what we call the language the CT was written in
Middle English
What is the original language of "The Canterbury Tales"?
Middle English is the original language of The Canterbury Tales
Was the Pardoner a real pardoner? How do you know?
No. He only sold indulgences and religious relics to make money and cheat people. He was corrupt.
What are the three types of people (classes) the author uses in his satire?
Nobility, the clergy, commoners
The Clerk
Philosopher. Poor, skinny, horse is skinny, books, serious, religious. He never spoke more than necessary. Gives up food for books.
A Monk
loves venery (hunting). He does not care that monks are not supposed to hunt. Not into his job. He has nice things. He doesn't study religion very much; opposite of what he should be. Manly, bald, fat, not very religious, has nice stuff. He has horses and dogs.
A Manciple
manciple= officer who buys provisions, in charge of getting industry and stock. He worked for important men, and he as described as an ignorant man... Yet he always had money and kept the extras. He basically cheated everyone. But at the end of the day, he ends up on top and is smart and not truly ignorant.
key term: sacrifices something of high value, like life, for a principle or cause
martyr
What do we call the english Chaucer wrote in?
middle english
What were the two things the host says he will judge the tales on?
morality (does it teach a lesson) and entertainment
a holy journey, a trip for religious purposes
pilgrimage
literary term: holds human vice up to ridicule and scorn
satire
Why did Chaucer write in the common vernacular (not french or latin)?
so common people could understand it
Which three qualities does Chaucer say he will identify in of all the pilgrims?
social class, job, and what they were wearing (looked like)
What was the popular time of year for medieval pilgrimages?
spring--the CT pilgrims travel in April
A Summoner
summons people to the court of law. He is really pimply; which could not be cured. Thick brows and ugly. Low class and smelly. He was a drunk, and when drunk, he would start quoting Latin. He likes money and knows secrets.
the penalty for refusing to participate or accept the host's judgement
that pilgrim would have to pay for everything
A Yeoman
the Knight's servant. He maintains the land. He's a protector and trustworthy. The narrator thinks he's a forest man. He had arrows, which he took great care of. Green man.
A Squire
the Knight's son. He was a lover and happy youth. Had great strength. He was on his way to becoming a knight. He had done well in battles, but did it for his lady. He is good looking and composed songs/poetry.
Which social class does Chaucer show the most corruption; who does he poke the most fun at (a social group)?
the clergy
Who are the only members of nobility on the pilgrimage?
the knight and the squire
In this time period-- why did Catholics buy pardons?
to pardon them of sins, keep them out of purgatory and speed them into heaven
Describe the Miller's character.
Rich, dishonest (stealing), argumentative
Which was the only church in Medieval England?
Roman Catholic
What impact does this point of view have on the reader?
Since this Prologue is written in the first person, the narrator tells us a limited number of things we might not know otherwise, and perhaps things the characters themselves might not want others to know about them
A Wife of Bath
Somewhat death. She had to be the first one to make her offering in church, or her temper would ignite. She was a good weaver and businesswoman. She wears flamboyant clothing. She was attractive, but in an over the top way. She loves life and is not shy at all. She gossips. She was officially married 5 times, but there were other men. She travels a lot and was gap toothed. Rides her horse like a man, which shows that she does not pretend to be all dainty.
Why is this time of year appropriate for a pilgrimage?
Spring is the earliest time without hazardous weather, and spring is Easter time
Why does the Yeoman carry a St. Christopher's medal?
St. Christopher is the patron saint of traveler's - for protection.
A Pardoner
Summoner's friend. From Rome. His hair is straw-like and yellow. They sing together. He thought he was more stylish than he was. Eyes like a hare. He can't grow facial hair and had a thin voice. He has pardons from Rome (he goes to Rome and gets these get of jail cards, he can forgive people of their sins for money). He looks like a castrated animal. He claims to have bones of famous saints, where instead there were pig bones, and sells them. He makes people, like the parson, look stupid. He was a good speaker in church and got paid well. Chaucer is being satiric when he speaks well of his voice.
What was the prize? Who was the judge?
Supper at the Tabard Inn. The Host is the judge.
works for the newly rich guildsmen--is an expert in his trade but has an oozing sore on his leg
The Cook
knows the humors and uses astronomy in his work--runs a scam with the apothecary to make some extra gold
The Doctor
a landowner and a public servant with a white beard who lives for pleasure--keeps his home full of good food and drink; has a temper with bad cooks
The Franklin
What was the Franklin's favorite pasttime?
The Franklin's favorite pasttime was socializing, eating and drinking.
took vows-- but spends hours with pretty girls, wealthy dames and barmaids; he says the sick and poor are beneath him
The Friar
newly rich members of a guild, took care of their things--wives pushed them to success
The Guildsmen
Who represents the working class, or guild class?
The Haberdasher, the Dyer, the Carpenter, the Weaver, and the Carpet-maker are the working people
Who proposes the story telling contest?
The Host
How does the Host come into the tale?
The Host is the owner of the Tabard Inn where all the pilgrims meet, and becomes the self-appointed leader and judge of the pilgrims' tales (middle class)
father of the squire, lord of the Yeoman-- fights in crusades, honorable, humble, and true
The Knight
What details does Chaucer reveal about the Knight?
The Knight is the father to the squire, lord of the Yeoman, fights in crusades, is loyal to his king and God, and follows rules of chivalry (minor nobility)
watches the market when buying supplies-- illiterate but "street smart" and can trick his educated bosses
The Manciple
has a forked beard and beaver hat--he likes to talk about money and trade but is secretly in debt
The Merchant
Who has a read beard and plays the bagpipes as the pilgrims leave town.
The Miller
a boastful and great stout fellow who loves to wrestle; he knows many filthy tavern stories and is a master at stealing grain
The Miller
ignores the "old fashioned" Rules of Saint Benet and Maur--he loves to hunt and eat a fat swan roasted whole not study in the cloister
The Monk
How is the Nun described?
The Nun is the secretary to the Prioress (clergy)
He cannot (or will not) find a job and spends borrowed money on books-- not on food for himself or his horse
The Oxford Cleric
sounds like a goat, has no beard and bulging eyes--makes money selling pardons and showing fake holy relics like Mary's veil
The Pardoner
Who was the Plowman's brother?
The Parson
practices what he preaches, poor in material goods, but rich in holy thoughts and deed-- cares for his flock and neglects none; travels with his brother
The Parson
What is different about the Parson?
The Parson is poor because he is good, a true shepherding pastor who taught what he knew (clergy)
an honest worker--his brother, the parson, is one of the few pilgrims more virtuous
The Plowman
feeds her little dogs bread, meat and milk-- she acts very dainty but has some girth, loves to speak french and imitate courtly grace
The Prioress
trusted manager of a nobleman's estate; has grown quite rich by being frugal; feared by those beneath him
The Reeve
said to be discreet and wise, knowledgeable and a fine conveyancer, always on the go (but not quite as busy as he seems to be)
The Sergeant at Law (lawyer)
What does the narrator tell us about the Sergeant at the Law?
The Sergeant is a shrewd and wealthy lawyer who serves as a judge (middle class)
steals wine from the trader, not very good at riding the farmer's horse (stolen)--always sends his prisoners home via the plank
The Skipper
the youngest pilgrim; he can ride and fight, sing songs and recite poems; always looks his best for the ladies--both lusty and vain
The Squire
He summons sinners to church court; children are afraid of him due to his red pimply face and stinky breath; not so bright and enjoys fine red wine
The Summoner
What does the Summoner do?
The Summoner is something of a drunken scoundrel, an agent of the Church courts who summons sinners to answer charges, and hands out fines (clergy)
What is the name of the inn where the pilgrims meet?
The Tabard
a seamstress, loves to laugh and chat, a bit deaf, had five husbands and wore red hose and a hat as big as a shield
The Wife of Bath
What famous character does the Yeoman resemble?
The Yeoman seems to resemble the famous character Robin Hood.
carries bow, arrows, sword and shield, a hunting horn and is dressed in green—traveled as a servant; St. Christopher is his guide
The Yoeman
Why were "the tales" never finished?
The author died
What is there to like about the Plowman?
The brother of the parish priest, he is an honest, decent farmer (peasant)
For whom does the friar fix marriages?
The friar fixes marriages for young girls whom he has seduced. (lines 216-217)
What did the friar receive for forgiving sins?
The friar received "a gift" (line 225) for hearing confession. Probably a gift of money.
What was the friar's greatest talent?
The friar's greatest talent was singing.
What trades are represented by the guildsmen?
The guildsmen were the Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-Maker.
Who is the knight's son?
The knight's son is the squire (line 80).
What has the narrator done to convince us, the readers, that he has the right to present his account?
The narrator has already spoken to and introduced himself to each member of the party, so he can retell the tales with a fair amount of accuracy
What point of view does the narrator use in the tale?
The narrator is speaking in the first person, and seems to be taken in by the deceptive characters
What kind of information does our narrator, Chaucer, reveal about each pilgrim in turn?
The narrator mentions the professions of the pilgrims, their places in society, and their attire
Based on the descriptions of the characters described by Chaucer, which one would make the best travel companion?
The narrator would probably be the most interesting, but few are described in very positive ways
Compare the parson to the friar.
The parson was generous and helped the needy while the friar was well-off and helped himself.
Was the physician a devoted healer? Why or why not?
The physician was a devoted healer because he knew every disease as well as the cause of it.
In what time of year are these pilgrims traveling, and why?
The pilgrims are traveling in the spring in order to visit the shrine of Thomas à Becket
Why do people travel to Canterbury?
The reason people travel to Canterbury is to visit Thomas Becket's grave. He was the archbishop of Canterbury around 1150. Henry II tried to take power from the church, and Thomas Becket was killed in his defense for the church. People came to revere him as a great defender of the church, and therefore, if they visited his grave, it would help them in the afterlife.
How does the squire's appearance differ from his father's?
The squire's appearance differs from his father's because he was dressed fancier than his more old-fashioned father. Line 76 says the knight was "not gaily dressed," while lines 91-92 say the squire was "embroidered like a meadow bright and full of freshest flowers, red and white..."
What is the squire's weakness?
The squire's weakness is romancing the ladies (lines 90, 99-100).
What is the student's main interest?
The student's main interest is the study of logic (lines 295-296)
In what format or style is "The Canterbury Tales" written?
The verse of Chaucer is constructed as an estates satire
What do the wives of the guildsmen want them to be and why?
Their wives wanted them to be aldermen so they could be called "Madam" and have their dresstails carried like queens.
How did the Pardoner and the Summoner work together?
They rode and sang together to try to swindle more money out of naive people.
How many pilgrims are there?
Thirty, counting the narrator...29 arrive at the Tabard Inn where the narrator is already staying
The Woman of Bath is described in what negative way by the author?
This hard-of-hearing woman wears fine clothes in bright colors, and has visited other holy places, possibly because she needs to repent for some worldly sins
Explain the line: "But was less busy than he seemed to be..."
This line he was busy, but not as busy as he pretended to be.
Name the martyr buried in the shrine at Canterbury
Thomas Becket
How is Henry II significant to these tales?
Though "misunderstood" by his knights who carried out murder by his command, Henry II made the first pilgrimage to Canterbury as atonement
What is distinctive about the Reeve?
Though old and easily irritated, the Reeve is the prosperous manager of a nobleman's estate, and feared by those beneath him (middle class)
Is Chaucer part of the group? How do you know?
We know that Chaucer is part of the group on the pilgrimage because he is the narrator and says in line 32, "I soon was one of them in fellowship."
Does the knight appear to be chivalrous? How do you know?
We know the knight appears to be chivalrous because in lines 44-45 the text says, "Who from the day on which he first began to ride abroad had followed chivalry."
What was the Wife of Bath's skill?
Weaving
How does the clerk pay back his friends?
With knowledge
A Cook
With the Guildsmen. He was a great cook, but unfortunately had an ulcer on his shin, which was unappetizing to look at.
Verisimilitude
You insert something in a created artificial thing to try to give it a feeling of being true.
A Knight
a brave man who honored the knight's code. He had traveled many places. He had been in 15 mortal battles. He was modest, not prideful. He doesn't wear fancy clothes
What is the prize for the story telling contest?
a meal, paid for by the other pilgrims, at the Tabard Inn
A Prioress
a nun. "Manners, spoke French, beautiful." The narrator describes her with great sarcasm. She pretends to be full of manners and sophisticated. She had tender feelings. He has a problem with her fancy clothes. She as a nun is supposed to be all about the church and religion, yet she has a necklace that says love conquers all. Speaks French poorly. She is materialistic. Uses satire.
key term: devotee on a journey to a holy place like a shrine
a pilgrim
A Shipman
a sailor who was not at home. He stole wine from a wine merchant. He doesn't pay attention to his conscience. He sent his enemies home through water. He knows about the tides and sea and knows what to do. His ship was called the Magdalen. Pirate and cant ride a horse.
Why did Chaucer write in the "common vernacular" (not Latin or French)?
because it is every language--so everyone could relate and understand
A Plowman
brother of the parson. Worked hard. Very religious. He would help people for free. He loved his people like himself. He pays his tithes. He wears a tunic and rode a mare.
literary term: uses satire and cynicism to mock its characters
fabliau
The Merchant
forked beard. In debt, but hides it very well. Has a nice horse. Expensive but not nicely done.
literary term: narrative used to set the stage for smaller stories within
frame story
The Friar says that he is "allowed" to forgive sins (that was unlikely), but what did the sinner have to do for forgiveness?
give silver
Identify one of the many reasons people went on pilgrimage.
give thanks, seek help—pray for healing, forgiveness, favor, or peace (and to travel)
A Miller
he turns grain into flour. He was huge and strong and won wresting matches. He was a ginger and had a wart on his nose. Overcharges people at his mill and plays bagpipes. He tells tavern tales (inappropriate stories).
