Characters of the Canterbury Tales Satire in Chaucers

Characters of the Canterbury Tales Satire in Chaucer’s “Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales

Knight l l followed code of chivalry truthful, honorable fought in many battles Represents all that is good; nobility l NOT satirized

Squire l l Son of the Knight fought in nearby battles so he could get home to see the ladies sang, danced, wrote poetry was courteous and serviceable when father was around l IS satirized for his insincerity

Yeoman l l was servant to knight, yet a freeman knew his business as an archer and profited from the land Religious man Good example from the middle class, not satirized

Prioress (Nun) l l tried to exude grace, manners, and sophistication, but spoke a very poor quality of French owned hunting dogs (not proper for her) yet was overly upset when a mouse died Large forehead Grey-glassy eyes

Monk l l riding a horse, which he was not to do ignored rules of his order fat (opposite of his vows) expensive clothing (fur on sleeve) when monk is to be poor l IS satirized

Friar l l l “knew taverns and barmaids well white neck, lisp begged money even from poorest, whom he was to help charged money on “settling days” IS satirized strongly

Merchant l l gave many opinions seemed stately but. . . was in debt and no one knew it from the way he talked l l IS satirized Note that the satire here is not as strong as it was for Monk, Friar, and Prioress. Why was the satire so light for the middle class and the nobility, yet so harsh for religious?

Oxford Cleric (Student) l l hollow look could not find a job in the church was “book smart” but “life dumb” Didn’t care about material things l l IS satirized This demonstrates the patronage of church positions, which often were bought and sold.

Franklin l l l wealthy landowner lived for pleasure, particularly “Epicurean” delights Enjoyed his food, had a table prepared all day long l l IS satirized Again, note how light the satire is of this wealthy man compared to others

Cook l l l had ulcer on his knee (probably from cooking at open pot) made good thick soup made good blancmange (yellowwhite, thick, creamy chicken soup--much the color of what might be in the ulcer) IS satirized

Skipper l l l rode a farmer’s horse well (an insult) stole while the trader or ship captain slept Knew the water better than the land l l l ignored conscience made his prisoners “walk home” IS satirized

Doctor l l l Worked with apothecaries Made remedies for patients in exchange for gold Did not read the Bible. l IS satirized

Wife of Bath (woman from Bath) l l l had five husbands, all at the church door gap-teeth large hips Hard of hearing Independent and boisterous

Parson l noble virtuous rich in holy thought l served the poor l gave his own money l practiced what he preached NOT satirized l l

Plowman l l honest worker, good and true followed the Gospel always paid his tithes in full when due rode a mare l NOT satirized

Miller l l l great stout fellow wart on end of nose weighed 224 pounds told filthy tavern stories “stole” grain with his “thumb of gold” played bagpipes l led procession hated the Reeve IS satirized

Manciple l l Uneducated but good with his money Worked for 30 lawyers but embezzled money from them l l l wise in practical matters, though lived debt free on what he “saved” IS satirized

Reeve l l l calfless legs Bad tempered; servants feared him better at bargains than his lord Managed money well l l rode at back of procession hated the Miller IS satirized

Summoner l l carbuncles and pimples black scabby brows, thin beard Took bribes from sinners Sneaky and unreligious l IS satirized

Host l l served finest victuals suggested the taletelling contest prize would be a meal for the winner paid for by the others everyone would tell two tales to the shrine and two returning to Canterbury l l return trip would mean another round of meals and lodging he would be sole judge of the tales accompanied the pilgrims to Canterbury IS satirized